But I think its commonest and strangest result was to make the boys bully each other.
One of the least cruel of the tyrannies the big boys put upon the little ones, sometimes bore very hardly on those who were not strong.

They used to ride races on our backs and have desperate mounted battles and tournaments.

In many a playground and home since then I have seen boys tilt and race, and steeplechase, with smaller boys upon their backs, and plenty of wholesome rough-and-tumble in the game; and it has given me a twinge of heartache to think how, even when we were at play, Crayshaw's baneful spirit cursed us with its example, so that the big and strong could not be happy except at the expense of the little and weak.
For it was the big ones who rode the little ones, with neatly-cut ash-sticks and clumsy spurs.

I can see them now, with the thin legs of the small boys tottering under them, like a young donkey overridden by a coal-heaver.
I was a favourite horse, for I was active and nimble, and (which was more to the point) well made.

It was the shambling, ill-proportioned lads who suffered most.