much excited as any one. His new friend
John Buttar was captain on one side, while Tommy Bouldon was leader of
the opposite party. Each chose ten followers. A hedge formed their
base, two plots being marked out close to it, one of which was occupied
by each party. Two circles were formed, about a hundred yards off, for
prisons.

"Chevy, chevy, chevy!" shouted Buttar, rushing out.

Bouldon gave chase after him. They were looked upon as cocks of their
set, and the chase was exciting. Bouldon was very nearly catching
Buttar, when Ernest darted out to his rescue. Now, Tommy, you must put
your best leg foremost or you will be caught to a certainty. What
twisting and turning, what dodging there was. Now Bouldon had almost
caught up Buttar, but the latter, stooping down, was off again under his
very hands, and turning suddenly, was off once more behind his back.

"'Ware the new boy; 'ware young Bracebridge," was the shout from
Bouldon's side.

Tommy was in hot chase after Buttar, and there seemed every probability
of his catching him. On hearing the cry, he looked over his shoulder
and saw Ernest close to him. He had now to think of his own safety.
From what he had observed of the new boy, he saw, that though he was a
new boy, and had never been at school before, he was not to be despised.
He had therefore to imitate Buttar's tactics, and to dodge away from
his pursuer.

Ernest had evidently been accustomed chiefly to run straight forward; he
was very fleet of foot, but had not practised the art of twisting and
turning. Another boy of Bouldon's side now ran out in pursuit of
Ernest, who, having executed his purpose of rescuing Buttar, returned in
triumph to his base, while one of his side ran out, and, touching the
boy who had gone out against him, carried him off to the prison.

Several others were taken; Bouldon at length was caught, so was Buttar,
but he was quickly rescued by Ernest, whose side was at length
victorious, having committed every one of the others to prison.

Ernest, who had contributed very largely to this success, pronounced it
a capital game. He gained also a good deal of credit by the way he had
played it, especially when it was known that it was for the first time,
and that he had never been at school before. The way in which his
companions treated him put him in very good spirits, and he became
sufficiently satisfied with himself and with everything around him. He
felt that he coul