I was not one of them.

I could not be popular." [Illustration: _Napoleon at the School of Brienne (From the Painting by M R Dumas_)] So he had to go through the same hard training that other poor boys at boarding-school have undergone.

He, however was petulant, high-spirited, proud, and had something of that Corsican love of retaliation that has made that rocky island famous for its feuds and family rows, or "vendettas" as they are called.
He showed the boys at last that they could not impose upon him; that he had plenty of spirit; that he was kind-hearted to those who showed themselves friendly; and, above all, that he was fitted to lead them in their sports, and could, in fact, help them toward having a jolly good time.
So, gradually, they began to side with and follow him.

They left him in undisturbed possession of his fortified garden, they asked his help over hard points in mathematics, until at last he began even to grow a little popular.

And then, to crown all, came the great Snow-ball Fight..