MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE. 35 



school. Whilst a third was fully prepared "to take his dying oath," 

 an expletive in frequent use at school, that he had heard somewhere 

 in that direction, an old woman's voice, exclaiming in heart-rending 

 tones, "Murder! murder! I'm lost! I'm lost! — For ever!" So 

 firmly did I believe these tales, that I retailed them to anyone who 

 would listen, when I arrived at home, and finding they were received 

 with suspicion accompanied by laughter, I became indignant, and 

 begged my people to write direct to Sergeant Bompas, and ask point- 

 blank whether I spoke the truth or not. 



In recalling the early days of Marlborough College, the face and 

 form of Sergeant Bompas is pleasantly, if not affectionately remem- 

 bered. It was generally believed that he had fought at Waterloo, 

 and that the great victory was mainly due to him; but however that 

 may be, a deep dimple in his chin was pointed out as the scar of a 

 wound inflicted by the bayonet of a Frenchman, whose head Bompas 

 subsequently struck off. 



I used to keep by the Sergeant's side whenever I saw him in the 

 playground ; and with such a protector, I did not fear to walk about 

 the place, even at night when the mohawks were about, sweeping 

 the ground with a long rope, as sailors sweep for a lost anchor, and 

 of course upsetting us when the rope came in contact with our legs. 

 It was a very dangerous amusement, but I don't remember that it 

 lasted very long. 



The story of Bompas having discomfited the French does not 

 appear to have been confined within the College grounds. For 

 one day a tramp "in beer" appeared, and proclaiming himself in 

 unmistakable Irish accents to be a Frenchman, said that he had 

 come for the express purpose of avenging Waterloo, by challenging 

 Bompas to a single combat with his fists. The Sergeant, who 

 probably had seen enough of fighting, and wished to end his days 

 in peace, instead of accepting the challenge, slipped off to the town 

 to fetch the Beadle, whilst the tramp was for the present left master 

 of the field, or rather, of the high-road, whilst the whole school 

 witnessed his triumph, shown in sparring at imaginary foes, capering 



D2 



