To Thomas, who had second choice, fell the right of giving the first word.

So to little Jessie, at the foot, he gave "Ox." "O-x, ox," whispered Jessie, shyly dodging behind her neighbor.
"In!" said Margaret to Johnnie Aird.
"I-s, in," said Johnnie, stoutly.
"Right!" said the master, silencing the shout of laughter.

"Next word." With like gentle courtesies the battle began; but in the second round the little A, B, C's were ruthlessly swept off the field with second-book words, and retired to their seats in supreme exultation, amid the applause of their fellows still left in the fight.

After that there was no mercy.

It was a give-and-take battle, the successful speller having the right to give the word to the opposite side.