time a
trouble and shame to all belonging to them! Let masters and parents
watch carefully against the first steps taken, often through folly and
idleness, towards so vile a habit; and most earnestly do I pray that
none of my young readers may be tempted to adopt so destructive a
practice.

CHAPTER THREE.

OUR GRAND HARE HUNT.

"Who's for a jolly good game of hare and hounds?" exclaimed Tom Bouldon,
rushing into the play-room, where a number of boys were assembled, soon
after breakfast, on a lovely day during the Easter holidays. Nearly
everybody replied, "I am, I, I, I."

"That's right; we couldn't have finer weather, and it's sure to last.
I've been talking to young Bracebridge, and he has undertaken to do
hare," observed Bouldon. "I know what some of you will say: he's a new
fellow, and isn't fit for the work; but there isn't such a runner in the
school. You see how he enters into all the games, though he has never
played them before. I'll bet he'll make as good a hare as we've ever
had, if not a better. That's my opinion."

This oration of Tommy's had the desired effect. With but few
dissentient voices, Ernest was elected to the honour of acting hare.
Tommy hurried out to inform him of the fact. Ernest was not well
prepared for the undertaking. He had only entered two or three times
before into the sport, but still he sufficiently understood what was
required of him, to feel that he should make a very creditable hare.
He, however, thought that it would be more satisfactory if he was to
consult with Bouldon and Buttar, as to what line of country he should
take. They told him that if they knew, it would spoil their fun; so
they went and found Lemon, who gladly undertook to give him his advice
on the subject.

In the meantime, all hands were busily employed in making scent; that
is, tearing into the smallest possible pieces all the bits of paper they
could lay hands on. Ernest's consultation with Lemon was soon over.
Having put on his across-country boots, a short pair of loose trousers,
and taken in his belt a hole or so, grasping a trusty stick in his hand,
he set off by himself to have a look over the country.

The whole party of hounds numbered upwards of forty. There were some
very good runners among them; and, what was of more consequence, several
who knew the country thoroughly; so that Ernest knew that he must put
forth all his energies. This, however, was what he took delight in
doi