On Board the Esmeralda | Page 8

had thus come so opportunely to my aid, baulking the
summary vengeance he had intended taking on my unhappy head.
The other boys, too, were just as disgusted at the turn events had taken,
for they had looked for rare sport in seeing me mauled by their
champion. They also now went off in a body, leaving my protector and
myself alone together, close to the steps where the little fracas had
occurred.
"You are a plucky fellow," said my new friend, confidentially, as soon
as the rest were out of hearing. "I don't think Master Slodgers has had
such a prompt lesson before to correct that nasty way he has of
frightening every new boy that comes here; but I tell you what, though,
you mustn't go hitting out at big chaps like that, you know! Slodgers
would have pounded you into a jelly if I hadn't interfered."
"I dare say he would," I replied, passionately, not having yet quite
calmed down--the sight of the blood dropping from my poor nose

adding to instead of abating from my courage. "But, I would have made
him feel something first! I don't care if he had killed me! I would do the
same again if he made fun of my father. He said I told lies when I was
telling the truth."
"Well, well, that's all right," said my rescuer, soothingly. "I've no doubt
I should have struck him, too, if I had been in your place. I like you for
standing up to him so bravely, and that's the reason I took your part,
independently of my always trying to stop his bullying. Slodgers is a
cur at heart, and I dare say you would lick him in the end if you could
hold out long enough, although I wouldn't advise you to tackle him
until you know how to use your fists better, if I am not by! I think you
said your name was Martin Leigh, to change the subject from the brute,
eh?"
"Yes," I answered, readily; "and I must now thank you for your
kindness in coming to my help."
"Oh, stow all that! May I call you Martin?"
"By all means," said I, gladly; "there's nothing I should like better."
"All right then, that's agreed. My name is Tom Larkyns, and you may
call me Tom, if you like."
"May I?" I asked, deferentially, proud of his condescending to be on
such cordial terms with me. "Won't it sound too familiar?"
"Nonsense," said he, laughing cheerily. "We'll swear a bond of eternal
friendship, like Damon and Pythias," and he squeezed my hand in his
strong grip, as if he meant it.
Tears came into my eyes; but not with pain. It was at the happy
consciousness that at last I had come across some one who really cared
for me personally. Uncle George's scanty amount of affection for me
was due to the fact of my being his brother's child, while Molly, the
maid- servant, the only one else who had ever evinced any kindly
feeling towards me, had been actuated by pity for my forlorn and

neglected condition amongst my own kindred; but Tom was my very
own friend, mine by choice and selection. Had he not singled me out
and taken my part, besides asking me to be his comrade? That alone
would have made me his staunch ally, even without the proffer of his
friendship; so, needless to say, I vowed there and then my fealty as his
chum through thick and thin!
Presently, Tom took me round to a side door of the house, through
which admittance was gained to the kitchen, where, procuring some
water, he helped me to stop the bleeding from my nose, caused by
Slodgers' blow, and otherwise wash away the traces of the combat. We
subsequently returned to the "playground," Tom saying that we could
remain there if we liked until the tea-bell rang, as it was a half-holiday,
and there were no more lessons for the day.
The other boys had mostly gone in by this time, disappearing in batches
of twos and threes, tired of being out in the bare yard, and having
exhausted all attempts at amusing themselves. We remained here over
an hour longer, walking up and down, exchanging confidences and
forming the most wonderful plans of what we would do together
bye-and-bye, not only while at school, but when we grew up and went
into the world. I, of course, told him all about my cruel bringing-up
under Aunt Matilda's auspices, and he imparted the information that he
was almost an orphan like myself; his father, who was a clergyman,
having died early and left his widowed mother with a large number of
children to support on a scanty income; whence the fact