Long afterwards, when the story was told to my father, he censured us severely for not telling the truth at the time, that he might have attempted to be of use to the young man in entering on life.

But our alarms for the consequences of the drawn sword, and the wound inflicted with such a weapon, were far too predominant at the time for such a pitch of generosity.
Perhaps I ought not to have inserted this schoolboy tale; but besides the strong impression made by the incident at the time, the whole accompaniments of the story are matters to me of solemn and sad recollection.

Of all the little band who were concerned in those juvenile sports or brawls, I can scarce recollect a single survivor.

Some left the ranks of mimic war to die in the active service of their country.

Many sought distant lands, to return no more.