Glyn Severns Schooldays | Page 6

and the big lad turned to Burney and gave
him an order. The next minute the boy, armed with a stump, came
running at full speed across the grass, shouting to the two companions
to stop, but without their paying the slightest heed or increasing their
pace.
The consequence was that the lad soon overtook them, to cry, rather out
of breath, "Did you hear the captain call to you to come and field?"
Singh glanced at Glyn, who gave him a sharp look as he replied, "Yes,
I heard him quite plainly."
The messenger stared with open eyes and mouth, as if it was beyond

his comprehension.
"Then, why don't you come?" he cried.
"Because we are going up to the house," replied Glyn coolly, "to our
dormitory."
"That you are not," cried Burney. "The rules say that the fellows are not
to go up to their rooms between hours, and you have been here long
enough to know that. Now then, no nonsense. Here, you, Singh, you've
got to come and field while old Slegge practises batting, and Tompkins
has got to bowl."
As the boy spoke in an unpleasant dictatorial way he made a thrust at
Singh with the pointed stump he held; but quick as thought and before
it was driven home, this third-part of a wicket was wrenched from his
hand by Severn and sent flying through the air.
"How dare you!" shouted Burney, and he made a rush at Glyn to collar
him and make him prisoner; but before he could reach the offending lad
a foot was thrust out by Singh, over which he tripped and fell sprawling
upon his face.
"Oh!" he shouted, half-beside himself with rage; and, scrambling up, he
made a rush with clenched fists at the two boys, who now stood
perfectly still awaiting his onslaught.
It was a thoroughly angry charge, but not a charge home; for Burney
stopped some three or four yards short of the distance, with his rage
evaporating fast and beginning to feel quite discreet.
For quite a minute the opponents stood gazing fiercely, and then what
had threatened to become a cuffing encounter became verbal.
"Look here," cried Burney, "you two will get it for this. What am I to
say to the captain?"
"Tell him to bowl for himself," said Singh sharply.

"Here! Hi! Burney, bring 'em along!" came from across the field and
from between Slegge's hands. "Tell these beggars they had better not
keep me waiting much longer!"
"All right!" shouted back Burney; and then to the two lads, "There, you
hear. Come on at once, and as you are new chaps I won't tell on you.
You had better come, or he'll pay you out by keeping you on bowling
so that you can't go and see the show."
"Yes," said Glyn quietly. "Go back and tell him what Singh said."
"What!" cried Burney, staring with wonder. "Tell the captain he's to
bowl for himself?"
"Yes," said Glyn coolly, "as long as he likes.--Come along, Singh;" and,
throwing his arm over his Indian companion's shoulder, the two lads
fell into military step and marched slowly towards the Doctor's
mansion-like house.
"I am afraid it means a fight, Singh," said Glyn quietly. "Well, I dare
say we can get over it. I am not going to knuckle down to that fellow.
Are you?"
"Am I?" cried the boy, flashing a fierce look at his English companion.
"What do you think?"
Glyn laughed softly and merrily.
"Shall I tell you?" he said.
"Yes, of course," cried the Indian boy hotly.
"Well, I think you will."
"What!"
"When you can't lift hand or foot, and your eyes are closing up so as
you can hardly see."

"And I won't give up then!" cried the boy passionately.
"Well, don't get into a wax about it, old chap," said Glyn in a dry, slow
way. "I don't suppose you'll have to, for the big chuckle-headed bully
will have to lick me first, and I dare say I can manage to tire him so that
you can easily lick him in turn."
"You are not going to fight him," cried Singh hotly.
"Yes, I am."
"You are not. He insulted my dead father. A mahout indeed!"
"So he did mine," said Glyn. "A shabby half-pay military officer indeed!
I'll make him look shabby before I have done."
"Now, look here," cried Singh, "don't be a beast, Glynny, and make me
more angry than I am. I am bad enough as it is."
"So am I, so don't you get putting on the Indian tyrant. Recollect you
are in England now. This is my job, and I know if father were here he'd
say I was to have the first go in. He's such a big fellow that I