Glyn Severns Schooldays | Page 6

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 believe he'll lick me easily. But, as I said before, I shall pretty well tire him out, and then you being the reserve, he'll come at you, and then he'll find out his mistake. And I say, Singhy, old chap, I do hope that my eyes won't be so closed that I can't see. Now then, come up to our room. It's a holiday, and the rules won't count to-day. Come on, and we'll talk it over."
"But--" began Singh.
"Now, don't be obstinate. You promised father you'd try and give way to me over English matters. Now, didn't you?"
"Well," said the lad hesitatingly, "I suppose I did."
"Come on, then. You see war's begun, and we have got to settle our plan of campaign."
The young Maharajah nodded his head and smiled.
"Yes," he said, "come up to our room. We ought to dress, oughtn't we, to see the procession? I say, I don't know how it is, I always