By Sheer Pluck | Page 8

for the lost boat, and close as were Mrs.
Hargate's means, she enabled Frank to subscribe his share towards the
fund. The incident raised Frank to a pinnacle of popularity among his
schoolfellows, for the three others were unanimous in saying that it was
his coolness and skill in the management of the boat, which alone kept
up their spirits, and enabled them to keep her afloat during the gale, and
to make the wreck in safety.
In the general enthusiasm excited by the event, Frank's pursuits, which
had hitherto found few followers, now became quite popular in the
school. A field club was formed, of which he was elected president, and
long rambles in the country in search of insects and plants were
frequently organized. Frank himself was obliged, in the interests of the
school, to moderate the zeal of the naturalists, and to point out that
cricket must not be given up, as, if so large a number withdrew
themselves from the game, the school would suffer disaster in its
various engagements with other schools in the neighborhood.
Consequently the rule was made that members of the club were bound
to be in the cricket field on at least three days in the week, including
one half holiday, while they were free to ramble in the country on other

days. This wise regulation prevented the "naturalists" from becoming
unpopular in the school, which would assuredly have been the case had
they entirely absented themselves from cricket.
One Saturday afternoon Frank started with a smaller boy, who was one
of his most devoted followers, for a long country walk. Frank carried
his blowgun, and a butterfly net, Charlie Goodall a net of about a foot
in depth, made of canvas, mounted on a stout brass rim, and strong
stick, for the capture of water beetles. Their pockets bulged with bottles
and tin boxes for the carriage of their captured prey.
They had passed through Eastry, a village four miles from Deal, when
Frank exclaimed, "There is a green hairstreak. The first I've seen this
year. I have never caught one before."
Cautiously approaching the butterfly, who was sunning himself on the
top of a thistle, Frank prepared to strike, when it suddenly mounted and
flitted over a hedge. In a moment the boys had scrambled through the
gap and were in full pursuit. The butterfly flitted here and there,
sometimes allowing the boys to approach within a few feet and then
flitting away again for fifty yards without stopping. Heedless where
they were going, the boys pursued, till they were startled by a sudden
shout close to them.
"You young rascals, how dare you run over my wheat?"
The boys stopped, and Frank saw what, in his excitement, he had not
hitherto heeded, that he was now running in a field of wheat, which
reached to his knee.
"I am very sorry, sir," he said. "I was so excited than I really did not see
where I was going."
"Not see!" shouted the angry farmer. "You young rascal, I'll break
every bone in your body," and he flourished a heavy stick as he spoke.
Charlie Goodall began to cry.
"I have no right to trespass on your wheat, sir," Frank said firmly; "but
you have no right to strike us. My name is Frank Hargate. I belong to
Dr. Parker's school at Deal, and if you will say what damage I have
caused, I will pay for it."
"You shall pay for it now," shouted the farmer, as he advanced with
uplifted stick.
Frank slipped three or four of his clay bullets into his mouth.
"Leave us alone or it will be worse for you," he said as he raised the

blowgun to his mouth.
The farmer advanced, and Frank sent a bullet with all his force, and
with so true an aim that he struck the farmer on the knuckles. It was a
sharp blow, and the farmer, with a cry of pain and surprise, dropped the
stick.
"Don't come a step nearer," Frank shouted. "If you do, I will aim at
your eye next time," and he pointed the threatening tube at the enraged
farmer's face.
"I'll have the law of you, you young villain. I'll make you smart for
this."
"You can do as you like about that," Frank said. "I have only struck you
in self defense, and have let you off easily. Come along, Charlie, let's
get out of this."
In a few minutes they were again on the road, the farmer making no
attempt to follow them, but determined in his mind to drive over the
next morning to Deal to take out a summons against them for trespass
and assault. The lads proceeded silently along the road. Frank was
greatly vexed with himself at