^^ii^j^jma^t^yfi -iPtw'^V'*'^. '■ 



136 TH£ EARLY DAYS OF 



was wrong, but added I would gladly play the part of host if they 

 could wait a little there. So down they sat, and finding they were 

 in a Court of Justice gazed around — at least, so I supposed — with 

 awe and admiration. 



My Sheristadar, who had a squeaky voice and wore a cassock, 

 came in for a full share of their regard, though they seemed quite 

 puzzled over him. But at length one of them grew impatient and 

 whispered in my ear, " I didn't know you employed old women in the 

 Courts of Justice." 



I wonder if those lads are living now and remember the pleasant 

 time we subsequently had together, for I had not seen an European 

 for some time, and was very thankful for their company. 



But returning to the School : After the ovation I have described, 

 the big bell rang, and for the first time since I came to School I 

 declined the summons, in company with all the other boys, whilst 

 the bell-ringer, who was an obnoxious fellow and was called 

 "Cock-sparrow," had to beat a retreat and run inside his lodge amid 

 a shower of stones. 



Thus the sword of rebellion was drawn and the scabbard thrown 

 away ; but although I had no means of knowing what the ruling 

 party thought about it, as I did in the Indian rebellion, which 

 occurred a few years later; I have little doubt that had a vigorous 

 policy been followed, all might have gone off smoothly even then. 



A love of mischief comes quite naturally to many boys ; and one 

 day, seeing a pair of shoes lying outside a master's bedroom door, 

 some lad injured them so much that their owner demanded the 

 price of another pair. As the culprit was not discovered ; a con- 

 tribution was levied by the master on every boy who slept in the 

 adjoining rooms, and being a good hand at sums, he could calculate 

 to a farthing what each would have to pay. I pleaded abject 

 poverty, but that was no excuse ; the necessary coppers had to be 

 obtained somehow, and every morning youths might be seen at the 

 master's desk bringing in instalments. The lessons were conse- 

 quently neglected, and such a scandal rose, that another n^aster at 



