THE CRISIS The first days of that week were days of strife.

Murdie Cameron and Bob Fraser and the other big boys succeeded in keeping in line with the master's rules and regulations.

They were careful never to be late, and so saved themselves the degradation of bringing an excuse.

But the smaller boys set themselves to make the master's life a burden, and succeeded beyond their highest expectations, for the master was quick of temper, and was determined at all costs to exact full and prompt obedience.

There was more flogging done those first six days than during any six months of Archie Munro's rule.