ry first ball
he delivered came curling round, and sprung in between the wicket and
his bat, and down went his stumps. A very good player succeeded him,
who, though he did not get many runs off his own bat, enabled Ernest to
get them. He, however, after doing very well, made an imprudent run,
and he was stumped out. Still Ernest kept in, and it was Ellis's turn
to take the bat. All his former awkwardness of gait was gone. He stood
well up to his bat. His first stroke showed that he was no despicable
opponent, and he got four runs. This awakened up the field again, who
had been expecting soon to get in. The two played capitally, and made
their runs rapidly and fearlessly. They knew that the opposite side
must play well to score as many as they had done. It was fine to see
the two friends hitting away, and crossing each other as they made one
run after another, almost insuring the success of their side. However,
the best of players must be out at one time or the other. Ernest was
caught out, and ultimately Ellis was run out by the next player who went
in. At last the other side got their innings, and played well; but when
the game was concluded it was found that Bracebridge's side scored
thirty more than they had done,--an immense triumph to the lower class.

His success did Ellis a great deal of good, and he now made even more
rapid progress than before, both in and out of school. It was the last
time either he, or Ernest, or Buttar played in that class, for by
Michaelmas they got another step, and by the Christmas holidays Ernest
and Ellis got into the first class, distancing Buttar and Bouldon, who
were only in the second. This rise was of the very greatest benefit to
the school. The two first were now above Barber, and thus were able to
exercise a considerable influence over him and fellows of his sort.
They could look down also on Bobby Dawson, and several others who were
inclined to patronise them when they first came to school. They also
received all the support they could desire from Selby and other
gentlemanly if not clever boys like him, and from warm-hearted
enthusiastic ones like Arden and Eden. They completely, in the first
place, put a stop to anything like systematic bullying. Of course, they
could not at all times restrain the tempers of their companions, or
prevent the strong from oppressing or striking the weak when no one was
present. Bullies and tyrants, or would-be bullies and tyran