The paint had been mixed in an old fruit-tin, and at first sight it certainly seemed to have been put on the post for the sole purpose of being knocked off again.
"Hullo, you new kid!" exclaimed Mouler.

"Look here, we want a chap for the third eleven next season--a fellow who can throw straight.

Come along, and let's see if you can hit that old can." It certainly looked easy enough, and Mugford, pleased at being taken some notice of by a boy in the Upper Fourth, picked up some pebbles, and joined in the bombardment.

The second shot brought the tin down with a great clatter, and a flood of white paint spread all over the trim little pathway.

At the same instant Oaks dashed down the steps boiling with rage.
"Confound you!" he cried; "who did that ?" "I did," answered Mugford, half crying; "I thought it was empty." "Thought it was empty! why didn't you look, you young blockhead ?" cried the prefect, catching the small boy by the arm, while Noaks and Mouler burst into a roar of laughter.
Things would probably have gone hard with the unfortunate Mugford if at that moment a fifth party had not arrived on the scene.