Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 9, 2025
Those first twenty or thirty yards were rowed in a style not very far short of the Parrett's standard, and Parson himself, the best cox of Parrett's house, could hardly have taken the boat down that reach in a better course. There was something ominous in this. But, to the great relief of the unfriendly critics, this showy lead was not maintained.
"The flood of the Severn Sea flowed over half the plain, And a hundred capes, with huts and trees, above the flood remain; 'Tis water here and water there, and the lordly Parrett's way Hath never a trace on its pathless face, as in the former day."
So saying, the hostile boat came full tilt on to the stern of the Parrett's tub, and the outraged Parson found himself next moment sprawling on his back, with the nose of his boat firmly wedged into the clay bank of the river, while his insulting adversaries sped gaily away down stream, making the morning hideous with their shouts and laughter.
If any proof had been needed that young Wyndham was "down," as the Parrett's fellows termed it, the fact that he did not put in appearance at the second-eleven practice next day supplied it. Bloomfield, who in ordinary course had strolled round to watch the play, noticed his absence, and drew his own conclusions from it.
"Yes; but it's just as bad round the corner at the finish the other way." "Ah! talking about the race, I see," said the doctor, returning to the group at this point. "So, Telson, Riddell's to steer your boat after all." "Yes, sir," said Telson; "it's settled now." "So that the schoolhouse boat is still the captain's boat, eh? Ah! Parson, though, I suppose, wants the Parrett's boat to win."
But so deeply was the disease of party spirit rooted in Willoughby that even this match came to be looked on quite as much as a struggle between rival houses as between the school and an outside team. The discovery was made that the eleven consisted of five schoolhouse players, five Parrett's players, and one Welcher.
And then presently in the far distance, at the end of the School Reach, they could see first the smoke of Mr Parrett's launch, then a black moving crowd on the bank, and finally two white specks on the water. "There they are!" said Gilks. "Can you tell which is which?" asked Silk. "No, not yet." An anxious minute followed.
"Who is it?" asked Bloomfield. "I can't tell you," replied Riddell. "I'm not sure; I may be wrong." "But surely you're not going to keep a thing like this to yourself!" exclaimed Bloomfield, warmly; "it concerns everybody in the school. I've a right, at any rate, as stroke of the Parrett's boat, to know who it is." "Of course, you have; and if I was quite sure I was right I would tell you."
Even such stick-at-nothing enthusiasts as Parson, Bosher, and Co., couldn't make a case of it, and were forced to admit with deep mortification that the glory had departed from Parrett's, at any rate for a season. Perhaps the most patriotic rejoicings that evening were in Welch's house.
Willoughby literally howled with disappointment, and gave itself up to despair as it saw its captain and champion retreating slowly back to the tent, trailing his bat behind him, and not daring to look up at the hideous "0" on the telegraph board. But hope was at hand, though Parrett's was not to supply it. Coates and Crossfield, who were now together, made a most unexpected and stubborn stand.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking