Unconscious boast! The boys came on in a roar of triumph, for they had caught sight of the water barrel. A young gentleman of the name of Lewis, a little older than Henry, was the first to get to the barrel, and lay his hand on the spigot. "Oh, if you please, you are not to touch it," said Henry; "I am taking care of it." "Halloa! what youngster are you? The donkey's brother?" "Oh, don't take it out--don't!" pleaded Henry. "I promised the woman I'd guard it for her." At this moment the woman's head was protruded through one of the small, deep, square loopholes of the ancient staircase; and she apostrophized the crew in no measured terms, and rather contradictory. They were a set of dyed villains, of young limbs, of daring pigs; and they were dear, good, young gentlemen, that she prayed for every night; and that she'd be proud to give a drink of the beautiful spring water to any thirsty day. You know schoolboys; and may, therefore, guess the result of this. The derisive shouts increased; the woman was ironically cheered; and Henry Arkell had a struggle with Master Lewis for possession of the spigot, which ended in the former's ignominious discomfiture. He lay on the ground, the water pouring out upon him, when a tall form and authoritative voice dashed into the throng, and laid summary hands on Lewis. "Now then, Mr. St. John! Please to let me alone, sir. It's no affair of yours." "I choose to make it my affair, young Lewis. You help that boy up that you have thrown down." Lewis rebelled. The rest of the boys had drawn back beyond reach of the splashing water. St. John stooped for the spigot, and put it in; and then treated Lewis to a slight shaking. "You be quiet, Mr. St. John. If you cock it over us boys in school, it's no reason why you should, out." Another instalment of the shaking. "Help him up, I tell you, Lewis." Perhaps as the best way of getting out of it, Lewis jerked himself forward, and did help him up. Henry had been unable to rise of himself, and for a few moments he could not stand: his knee was hurt. It was a curious coincidence that the first fall, when he was entering the school, and the last fall----But it may be as well not to anticipate. "Now, mind you, Mr. Lewis: if you attempt a cowardly attack on this boy again--you are bigger and stronger than he is--I'll thrash you kindly." Lewis walked away, leaving a mental word behind him--not spoken, he would not have dared that--for Frederick St. John. The woman came down wailing and lamenting at the loss of the water, and the boys scuttered off in a body. St. John threw the woman half-a-crown, and helped Henry home.