One night, when they were preparing the coming day's lessons, Dick looked up from his book. "Ande, remember the fight we had?" "Yes." "Did you 'ave anything in your hand when you struck me that last time?" "No. Why?" "'Cause, I thought it was a club," and Dick grinned. "I hated to hit so hard. But it seemed none of my former blows were having much effect. It was like hitting an elephant." There was silence in the study room for the space of half an hour, and then Dick asked his companion to review him o'er his lesson. Ande did so, and was agreeably surprised; it was the best lesson that Dick had ever prepared. "I'm much obliged," said Dick. "This hearing of a lesson helps wonderfully." "Dick," said Ande, "a red-headed Dane is a pretty-fair sort of a fellow, after all. I say, he has some redeemable virtues." "Yes, and I 'ave discovered something else." "What's that?" "A donkey has a head as well as a pair of heels," whereupon they both laughed heartily. CHAPTER XVI THE HURLING MATCH "Toms, Wills and Jans Take off all's on the sands." --_St. Ives' Hurlers._ "Gware wheag, yeo gware teag." Fair play is good play. --_Ancient Cornish Hurler's Motto._ "Gware wheag, yeo gware teag," roared Dick, as he seized Ande by the shoulders and engaged in a playful wrestle, in which, however, he was worsted, for the latter, though taken by surprise, soon had Dick down on the sward of the Bowling Green. "Now," said he, "is it fair play for a wrestle, or is there something else in the wind? What's up?" "Can't guess, old fellow?" "No, unless it's hurling, my elephantine infant. There is nothing that stirs your blood like that. Is it hurling?" "Aye, you've got it," and tumbling up from the sod, Dick shook his huge frame and adjusted his neckerchief that had become slightly awry in the brief wrestling match. "Who's challenged the school?" asked Ande, with a little trace of excitement. "The louts of Breage parish. Their captain, a husky chap, brought in a challenge. Squire Vivian, Sir James Lanyan, and other gentlemen put up a prize of ten pounds and a fine hurling ball to the victors. The hurling ball has a silver plate on it, with the old motto engraved on it, and the school decided to accept the challenge. The gentlemen are anxious for the school to wipe out an old score against Breage that happened years ago in a match against that parish. They are going to elect a captain of the school team and so I hurried off to find the Dane." "Well, here I am, my husky Ajax," and Ande, seizing Dick's arm, hurried with him up to the Grammar School. At the school there was bustle and excitement. The schoolroom was crowded with sixth and fifth form boys, and the interest of the lesser forms was noticed in the babbling of many tongues. Jordan, the monitor, the sage of the sixth, presided, and rapped for order, and the mass of lads crowded to their respective places. In calm, even tones, he speaks.