The Thorogood Family by Robert Michael Ballantyne (the two towers ebook txt) 📖

at first; chiefly because I devoted myself entirely to play and refused work. Besides, there was something amusing in the novelty of the thing, and there was much interest in the mischief that could be done in school; also in the deeds of daring and violence that could be done out of it, with the able assistance of a score or so of boys of almost every age and size. But the liking moderated with experience, especially when the master, having tried every method of encouragement and persuasion in vain, adopted the trying method of keeping me in during play-hours. To escape this punishment I tried to learn a little.

"I was a bully when I went to school, being big and strong for my age. I mention the fact with shame, but it is some satisfaction to be able to add that I was not a bully when I left it. My chief enemy, and, afterwards, dearest friend, saved me from that state. He and I were the biggest and strongest boys in the school. His name was Tom Turner.

"In nearly all respects Turner and I were opposites. He was clever and studious; I stupid and idle. He was gentle and kind--especially to little boys; I rough and disobliging. He was usually dux, I invariably booby.

"`You shouldn't be so hard on little Spinks,' he said to me in a quiet way, one day in the playground, `he can't defend himself, you know.'

"`You let me an' little Spinks alone,' I replied angrily, yet with some hesitation, for I did not feel quite sure that I could thrash Turner. I expected a sharp rejoinder, but he merely smiled and turned away.

"From that date I set Tom Turner down as a coward, and worried Spinks more than ever, just to spite him.

"One day I had been harder than usual on little Spinks, who was a mere human spider--all legs and arms, with a roundish body--when Tom called me aside and quietly began to lecture me, just as if he had been a grown-up man. I kept down my indignation at first, having made up my mind to have a quarrel with him, but the amiable tone of his voice subdued me.

"`You should consider, Jacob,' he went on, taking no notice of my flushed face and angry frown, `what a poor little squirrel of a thing Spinks is, and what a great powerful fellow you are. It's not fair, you know, and he's a kindly, harmless sort of a fellow too. Besides, if his poor mother knew how you treat him it would almost break her heart, for she's very delicate, and he is her only child. You know I visited her last year, on my way from London, in passing the village where she lives. You've been there, haven't you?'

"`No,' I replied sulkily.

"`Oh, man, Jacob! you _would_ enjoy a visit to Spinks's home,' returned Tom, still taking no notice of my state of mind, `it's such a splendid place for trout-fishing, with a burn full of the deep oily pools you are so fond of, and lots of sea-trout; and Mrs Spinks is so kind and jolly--though so delicate; just like little Spinks himself, but of course a good deal larger.'

"From this point Turner went on to describe his visit in such a cheery way, that I was forced into a better state of mind, though I did not forgive him for lecturing me.

"It chanced that I received a lecture also, the same evening, from our master.

"`Jacob, my boy,' he said, laying his large hand gently on my head, `you ought to give more attention to your studies, and try to be a better boy. You've got the elements of a smart man in you, but a man must be _made_, Jacob. If a lad grows up without any self-training he is generally fit for nothing, and only a trouble to society. You're fond of your mother, I think--are you not?'

"`Yes, sir,' said I, in some surprise at the question.

"`Then you would be sorry to give her pain, I know, and your present course of conduct is sure to do that if you don't mend. You would be sorry to see your mother take handfuls of her small income and fling it into the sea, would you not?'

"`Of course I would, sir,' said I, still more surprised.

"`Well, you have caused her to do that, for your school fees might as well have been flung away for all the good you have done hitherto. But come, I'll say no more just now. I feel sure you will try to do better. You have only got to try, asking God to help you, and you're certain to succeed. I expect to be proud of you yet, Jacob. There, be off and play.'

"I was somewhat touched by this brief reproof, but not humbled. The lecturing tone assumed by Turner still rankled, and a feeling that I deserved severer treatment than I received, made me worse. I resolved to harden my heart; and from that date became more mischievous and domineering as well as idle--if possible. I saw that the master was grieved, but did not care.

"One day in autumn, some of us were sitting on a rail swinging our legs and chatting. Turner was not there, but little Spinks was.

"`I tell you what,' said I, referring to a remark made by one of the boys, `I think it is not only contemptible to try to learn one's lessons, but ridiculous.'

"`I'd rather learn them than get whacked,' said one.

"`Well, I would rather get whacked than learn them,' said I; `besides, of what earthly use are Latin and Greek, I should like to know?'

"`Fellows can't get along in the learned professions without them,' said a boy whom we named Tiddler. He was a follower of Turner, and usually kept pretty near him in the class.

"`Very true,' said I, with a look of mock respect; `but as none of us intend to enter the learned professions except _Doctor_ Tiddler and _Professor_ Turner, _we_ don't want Latin or Greek; what _we_ want is fun.'

"`Hear! hear!' burst from Spinks, who was an impressionable little fellow, and easily influenced for good or evil. His exclamation was so genuine and heartfelt that there was a general laugh, and one of the boys suggested that, as little Spinks did not mean to go in for any of the learned professions, they should elect him `Professor of Fun.' This was unanimously agreed to.

"`But, come,' said I, jumping down, `we must not spend all the evening here idling. What shall we do?'

"`Go an' study Greek,' said the newly-elected Professor of Fun; a suggestion which was received with a shout of derisive laughter.

"`I should like to have some of old Maggie's apples for supper,' said I.

"`But who's to crib them?' asked a large-headed boy, whose appearance reminded one of a tadpole.

"`Little Spinks, of course,' said I. `Come, be off--and be sure that you take good ones. I'll follow, and watch to see that no mischief happens to you.'

"`It's a shame to rob the poor old woman,' said Tiddler. `I'll have nothing to do with it. I'm sure that Tom Turner would object if he were here.'

"`Oh! you needn't come if you're afraid,' said I, with a sneer; `and if there are any other cowardly Turnerites here, they may join you. Whoever has got pluck will follow the Frees. Lead on, Spinks!'

"The greater number of the boys followed me; and from that date the school was divided into two sections--Turnerites and Frees.

"We went straight to the back wall of old Maggie's garden, and I helped little Spinks over, desiring him to gather a capful and fetch them, and then he could return for more if thought desirable.

"My enemy Turner was fond of old Maggie, and frequently went to see her and have a chat. It chanced that he was visiting her on the evening we had decided to steal her apples. While sitting beside her, listening as earnestly to a prolonged and graphic account of the old woman's troubles as if he had been the minister of the parish, he chanced to look out of the window, and saw a boy descending one of the apple-trees. One of old Maggie's troubles was the stealing of her apples by village boys. She had dilated extensively on the subject and aroused her friend's anger. With a burst of indignation, he rushed out, and caught little Spinks in the act of making off with his second capful of apples.

"`What! Spinks? I should not have expected this of you,' said Tom, releasing my little victim.

"`I didn't want to do it,' whimpered Spinks; `but I couldn't help it. I--'

"`Yes, yes; I understand. Who was it that set you on?'

"`Please, I don't want to tell.'

"I am convinced that brave little Spinks would have refused to tell to the end of the chapter, but I saved him further trouble. Wondering, as I stood behind the wall, what kept him so long, I shouted, `Come along, Spinks; look sharp!'

"`Oh! I know now who did it,' said Turner. `Go, my boy. I'll relieve you of the apples.'

"So saying, he carried the apples to the owner, and Spinks came and told me what had occurred.

"`I'll thrash Tom Turner for this,' I said bitterly, as we returned to the school.

"For some time past I had made up my mind to fight him. On several occasions I had proved myself to be possessed of a little more bodily strength than Tom; and as regarded endurance and pluck, I felt quite at ease on these points.

"Opportunity soon offered. One day I was up a tree, bird-nesting, in one of the lanes near our school. I had flung down my books at the foot of the tree before climbing it. Just as I laid hands on the nest, in which there were four eggs, I heard voices below, and looking down, observed Turner, Tiddler, and Tadpole passing.

"`I wonder what careless fellow has flung down his books in that fashion,' said Tom.

"`I am the careless fellow!' I shouted. At the same time I flung the nest straight into his upturned face. The result was better than I had expected; for it hit him fair, and the four eggs, bursting on his forehead, poured over his eyes and nose.

"This was received with a shout of laughter by the other boys. I leaped to the ground, strode up to Tom with doubled fists, and asked if he would fight me.

"`Not if I can help it,' said Tom, quietly wiping his face.

"Amazed at his forbearance I scarce knew how to act. At last I said, sneeringly, `I never quite believed you to be a coward until to-day.'

"`Whether I'm a coward or not is, perhaps, doubtful; but I came under a promise not to quarrel with you if I could avoid it, and you see, Jacob, I'm trying to keep my promise, though it's not easy.'

"`Perhaps that will make it less easy,' I said, suddenly fetching him what was meant to be a slap in the face; but by