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"What a nice boy you are, to be sure! I suppose you've a bet on Parrett's, like me?" "No, I haven't," said Gilks, "but I want it to win all the same, because of Bloomfield. If Parrett's gets to the head of the river, there's all the better chance of getting Bloomfield for captain next term; and things would be far pleasanter then." "Yes. I don't suppose Bloomfield's very particular," said Silk.
The other two went off, leaving their three comrades standing at the end of the table, wondering what on earth was coming next. Mr Parrett's manner changed as he turned to them. He became embarrassed, and spoke almost nervously. "You three," he said, "jumped in after me this afternoon, did you not?" "Yes, please, sir," said Telson; "Parson was first, sir."
The other rivers, the Frome and Chew, which join the Avon; the Axe, which rises in Wookey Hole and enters the sea near Brean Down; the Brue and Cary, which empty themselves into the estuary of the Parrett; and the Parrett's own tributaries, the Yeo, Ivel, and Tone, are unimportant. Exmoor is drained by the Exe and Barle, which, when united, flow southward into Devon.
As it was, though Parrett's was morally bound to win, it was clear the race would be a fierce one, and hardly fought every foot. Such was the general opinion in Willoughby that Tuesday evening after the last practice had come to an end, and when the boats were finally housed for the night only to reappear next day in racing trim.
And ere they reached it Telson was there, and many a schoolhouse Limpet, and Game, and Ashley, and Wibberly, from Parrett's; and Tucker, and I know not what crowds from Welch's. And they crowded round, and took sides, and speculated on the result, and cheered impartially every hit. Far be it from me to describe that fight.
"Hear, hear," said one or two of Parrett's house; "what could be better than that?" "Well," said Porter, "I don't see much difference between saying that and telling the doctor he doesn't know what he's about." "Of course you say so that's your schoolhouse prejudice," replied Wibberly. "It's nothing of the sort," said Fairbairn, warmly; "you know that as well as I do, Wibberly."
The Parrett's fellows were already crowing in anticipation, and the victory of Bloomfield's boat was only waited for as a final ground for resisting the authority of any captain but their own. Their boat was certainly one of the best which the school had turned out, and compared with their competitors' it seemed as if nothing short of a miracle could prevent its triumph.
But presently, as the two boats approached the corner, a slight turn inwards enabled them to answer the question for themselves. "We lead!" exclaimed Silk. Silk was a Welcher and Gilks a schoolhouse boy, but "we" meant Parrett's. Yes, the red flag was ahead, though only a little. "How long before they're at the point?" "Half a minute. I say, how splendidly the schoolhouse are steering, though!"
Because he's a Parrett's boy, and Mr Bloomfield is a Parrett's boy, and all Parrett's boys say a Parrett's boy ought to be the head of the school! Gentlemen, parrots aren't always to be trusted, even when they show signs of intelligence! He says he doesn't think Mr Riddell is fit to be captain. He doesn't think so himself."
Mr Parrett and the boys choked and made a dash for the door, but the enemy were hanging on to the handle in full force, and it was at least two minutes before the almost suffocated Parson could gasp, "Open the door! do you hear? Mr Parrett's here; let him out." "Won't wash, my boy!" cried a mocking voice "won't wash! Wait a bit, we've got another bottle for you when you're quite ready!"
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