The Missing Prince. Farrow George Edward

Чтение книги онлайн.

      “Oh! a fellow at our school,” said Boy. “He’s eleven and ever so much taller than me; but I can bowl better than him any day.”

      “Come on then, let’s have a game,” said one of the fishes, leading the way to the end of the playground where a single wicket was pitched.

      “Your innings,” he cried, handing Boy a bat.

      Boy thought this was a very curious way of beginning a game, and he was more surprised still when, without the slightest warning, all the rest of the fishes began throwing balls at him as hard as they could, hitting him pretty sharply in several places, and of course knocking the bails off the stumps at once.

      “How’s that, Umpire?” they shouted all together.

      The fish who had handed Boy the bat promptly replied “Out,” and the others threw their caps up into the air excitedly and called out that they had won the game.

      “That’s not the way to play cricket,” cried Boy, throwing down his bat in disgust.

      “Who says it isn’t?” demanded one of the fishes, coming up to him.

      “I say so,” maintained Boy stoutly.

      “Very well, then I’ll fight you for it,” declared the fish, throwing off his coat.

      “I’m sure you won’t,” said Boy, laughing at the very idea.

      “Yah! cowardy, cowardy custard,” cried the fishes, dancing around him. “Afraid to fight; dear little mammy’s baby.”

      Boy very wisely determined not to heed their taunts and walked back to the College, leaving the quarrelsome little fishes to themselves.

      The sound of music from one of the class-rooms told him where he should find the Professor, and looking in at the window he saw the Crab standing beside a blackboard with notes on it waving a bâton, while a number of Oysters in rows were singing with their shells wide open.

      “Come in,” he cried, when he saw Boy, and Boy went round to the door and entered the room.

      “We have nearly finished,” said Professor Crab. “Perhaps you would like to hear the Molluscs sing.”

      “Very much indeed,” said Boy, taking a seat on one of the forms.

      The Crab counted “One, two, three,” beating time with his bâton, and the Oysters started singing the following song: —

      Boy was very pleased indeed with this song, which the First Class in Molluscs sang very well, and clapped vigorously.

      “I’m glad you like their singing,” said the Professor, looking pleased at Boy’s approval.

      “That will do for to-day,” he added, dismissing the class, and the Oysters went out of the room in single file, each one making a little bow as he passed the Professor.

      “Now what shall we do with ourselves for the rest of the day?” said the Crab, when they had all gone, for there is a half-holiday, you know. Would you like to go for a trip to Zum?” he asked.

      “Oh yes, please,” answered Boy, who remembered that that was where One-and-Nine said that they should meet again.

      So Professor Crab put his hat on, and after locking the class-room door set out with Boy for the Station of the Submarine Navigation Company.

      CHAPTER IV. – M.D. AND THE DOCTOR’S BILL

      THEY found a boat waiting when they reached the Station, and Professor Crab having purchased the tickets they went on board the singular conveyance. They had hardly taken their seats amongst a number of respectably dressed fishes when the bell rang and they were off.