84 The True Rzhes.

(a recent admission to the school) is called
out and ordered to strip. One cannot look
upon the wretched figure without pain, and
the master shares the feeling ; but discipline
must be maintained—the law which has
been broken must be satisfied. The master
stands, and his look reveals this to the boys.
One of them, a noble fellow, steps forward,
saying, “Look here, sir! I’ll bear his
thrashing for him.” And bear it he did,
whilst the delinquent was released for what
the substitute had borne.

Quite recently, during the disturbances in
Cuba, a man had been charged with some
offence, and condemned to death. He
claimed the protection of the representatives
of England and America. The protests of
these consuls had been without effect:
the man was ordered out for execution, a
firing party of soldiers drawn up, and the
word about to be given, “ Fire!” when the
two consuls were seen rushing forward and
covering the prisoner with the “ Union
Jack” and the ‘Stars and Stripes.” When
this was done, turning to the soldiers they
said, ‘‘ Now, fire a shot if you dare!” They