upper and four to the lower fifth form. Each has
her captain, who fills up his crew from the candidates who present
themselves. The higher boats have, of course, the first choice,
according to their rank. Each crew wears a different coloured shirt
from the others, and have different coloured ribbons on their straw
hats. On grand occasions, as to-day, we all appear in full dress, and a
very natty one I think you will agree that it is."

Ernest and Ellis listened attentively to the description, and could not
for the moment help wishing that they also were Eton boys. Luncheon was
soon over, for the ices and strawberry messes had somewhat damped their
appetites. Then they went out into the playing-fields, where a
cricket-match was going forward. Jack Bouldon pointed out some of their
crack players with no little pride.

"There's Jeffcott; he's at my tutor's," he observed. "The tall fellow
with the light hair; he's just going in. Did you see how beautifully
Strangeways was caught out? See! Jeffcott is certain of making a good
hit. I knew it! He'll get two runs at least. There's Osbaldiston, the
fellow who is in with him. It's worth watching him. He's even a better
player than Jeffcott, though he is still so young. There! I knew it!
What a grand hit! Run! run! three times, you'll do it! Capital! He's
at my tutor's. A first-rate fellow, and expects to be one of the eleven
next half."

So Jack Bouldon ran on, his companions heartily joining in his
enthusiasm. Then they went back to his tutor's, as dinner was to be
early, to be over in time for the boating in the evening. They there
found Mr Bouldon, who expressed himself much pleased at meeting Ernest
and Ellis, as friends of his son's. Dinner they thought the slowest
part of the day's amusements, and were very glad when the time came for
them to repair to the Brocas. That is the name given to the field by
the river whence the boats start.

The Brocas presented a very gay and animated appearance as the crews of
the boats, and the other boys, and the visitors began to collect from
all directions. As Jack Bouldon had said, the costume of the boats'
crews was very natty. It consisted of a striped calico shirt of some
bright colour; white trousers, with a belt round the waist; a coloured
necktie, to suit the shirt; a straw hat, and a ribbon round it to match,
the rest of the dress; silk stockings, and pumps with gold buckles. The
ribbons round the