were arguing the point, about thirty or forty minor disputes all ran
parallel to theirs, and their mode of decision was immediately adopted
by the pugnacious urchins of the school. In this manner they were
engaged, poor Jemmy attempting to tranquillize and separate them, when
the master, armed in all his terrors, presented himself.

With the tact of a sly old disciplinarian, he first secured the door,
and instantly commenced the agreeable task of promiscuous castigation.
Heavy and vindictive did his arm descend upon those whom he suspected
to have cautioned the boy against his rapacity; nor amongst the
warm-hearted lads, whom he thwacked so cunningly, was Thady passed over
with a tender hand. Springs, bouncings, doublings, blowing of fingers,
scratching of heads, and rubbing of elbows--shouts of pain, and
doleful exclamations, accompanied by action that displayed surpassing
agility-marked the effect with which he plied the instrument of
punishment. In the meantime the spirit of reaction, to use a modern
phrase, began to set in. The master, while thus engaged in dispensing
justice, first received a rather vigorous thwack on the ear from behind,
by an anonymous contributor, who gifted him with what is called a
musical ear, for it sang during five minutes afterwards. The monarch,
when turning round to ascertain the traitor, received another insult on
the most indefensible side, and that with a cordiality of manner, that
induced him to send his right hand reconnoitring the invaded part. He
wheeled round a second time with more alacrity than before; but nothing
less than the head of James could have secured him on this occasion. The
anonymous contributor sent him a fresh article. This was supported by
another kick behind: the turf began to fly; one after another came in
contact with his head and shoulders so rapidly, that he found himself,
instead of being the assailant, actually placed upon his defence.