that boy was born to become a general," observed Monsieur Malin,
who was looking on at the game with deep interest.

The opposite side were rather astonished. They were not accustomed to
so systematic a way of playing, still less to see directions issued by
one boy so implicitly obeyed by others. They could not make it out.
Ernest lifted up his stick, and struck the ball. Off it flew in a
direction away from all the best players on the opposite side, but some
of the most active of his party ran on, and hitting it before them, one
after the other, drove it right through the ranks of their opponents.
So quickly did one striker succeed the other, that none of Blackall's
boys could get a stroke. He ran to the rescue, but this was one of the
many occasions, as he frequently found to his cost, when mere animal
strength could avail but little. The ball was carried on, struck
rapidly past him, followed up by relays of Ernest's friends, and finally
sent by Buttar, accompanied by a loud cheer from all his side, over the
boundary. Such a victory could not have been expected under ordinary
circumstances, had even the big boys been the conquerors, but the latter
were doubly astounded, till Rodwell sang out--

"Bravo, young Bracebridge! You have had a lucky chance, but we'll lick
you soundly next time, so look out."

"Chance! yes, it was only chance," repeated Blackall, glad to find a
plausible excuse for his defeat. A third round was to be played, but
the younger party were so cocky that they proposed having four rounds.
To this, of course, the others were too glad to consent, under the
belief that they could at all events make it a drawn battle; while
Ernest's friends gloried in the hopes of beating their big opponents
three to one.

Blackall having observed that Ernest placed his men according to a
certain plan, thought he would do the same. He, therefore, with not a
small amount of pretentious formality, ordered the boys on his side to
look out in different directions, and to follow a certain course. Some
went where they were told, but others proceeded to where they themselves
considered that they should be better placed, and instead of obeying the
orders of their leader, acted according to their own judgment, which, to
do them justice, was fully as good as that of Blackall. Bracebridge
watched the proceedings of his opponents, and smiled as he pointed them
out to Buttar. He very soon made his own arrangements. Bl