"Carried unanimously," said Langrish. "Look here, one of you had better do it," said I, feeling a little alarmed at this imposing honour; "you know the way better." "That's where you've the pull," said Purkis; "you're a new kid, they won't interfere with you. Big Hall's at five, and you can easily slide in at a quarter to, and do the trick. Hullo, there's bell." School that morning went uncomfortably for me. I escaped being "lagged" for my neglect of preparation, chiefly owing to the friendly prompting I received from Dicky Brown. But it was a time of anxiety and trepidation, and my nerves were somewhat strained before it was over. The shock of the day, however, awaited me as I got outside on my way to the fields. A small youth of my own size accosted me. "I say, are you the new chap?" "What new chap?" "The new chap that Redwood told to fetch his belt." "Yes," said I, turning a little pale. "All right. You've got to go to him, sharp." "I tried to give it him back yesterday, really I did; but I was stopped," said I. "Do you think I'll get in a row?" "I wouldn't be in your shoes, that's all I know," remarked the messenger brutally. "It'll be all the worse if you don't cut." "Where is he?" "In the captain's room at the School House." I went off with my heart in my boots. And I had hoped so much to show up well to Redwood! It was all Jarman's fault, and I wrote down yet another grudge against him in my mental book. The captain was alone, and evidently expecting me, as he rose and came to meet me when I appeared. "Here you are, then, youngster," said he, in a tone which, if it meant a licking, was a very deceptive one. "I'm very sorry," said I; "I tried to bring the belt round yesterday evening, but--" "Hang the belt!" said the captain. "That's not what I want you for. Why didn't you tell me what happened at home yesterday afternoon?" Then it was another row altogether I was in for! What, I wondered, had I done! Surely he didn't suspect me of having pushed his young sister into the water? "I didn't like, while the match was on. I didn't know Mamie had tumbled in, or I would have stopped her." "But you fished her out?" he asked. "I told Annie to take her and dry her," said I, wondering where the blow was going to fall. "You see, she went upstairs for the belt, and it was when she had gone it happened. I don't think it was her fault." To my amazement Redwood laughed and clapped me on the back. "You young donkey, don't you know you saved Mamie's life, and I want to say 'Thank you,' to you?" This unexpected _denouement_ alarmed me almost as much as my previous misgivings. "Oh no, really I didn't," said I; "she was close to the edge." "Another inch or two and she would have been in six feet of water," said he. Then, with a friendly laugh, he added--