Everybody looked toward tall Jim Phillips.

But Larkin was fond of a venture on unknown seas, and so he said, "I take the master," while a buzz of surprise ran round the room, and the captain of the other side, as if afraid his opponent would withdraw the choice, retorted quickly, and with a little smack of exultation and defiance in his voice, "And _I_ take Jeems Phillips." And soon all present, except a few of the old folks, found themselves ranged in opposing hosts, the poor spellers lagging in, with what grace they could, at the foot of the two divisions.

The Squire opened his spelling-book and began to give out the words to the two captains, who stood up and spelled against each other.

It was not long until Larkin spelled "really" with one _l_, and had to sit down in confusion, while a murmur of satisfaction ran through the ranks of the opposing forces.

His own side bit their lips.