"Shall I put you up, old man?
Hullo, here they come! There's Ponty.

Clap up, you fellows." A big cheer greeted Pontifex, the captain of the school, as he strolled on to the dais, and took the chair of state.
The new boys eyed him curiously.

He was a burly, good-humoured, easy- going fellow, with an "anything for a quiet life" look about him, as he stretched himself comfortably in his seat, and looked placidly round the hall.

The cheering had very little effect on his composure.

Indeed, he may not have taken in that it was intended for him at all; for he took no notice of it, and appeared to be quite as much amused at the noise as any one else.
A great contrast to Pontifex was Mansfield, the vice-captain, who, with quick eye, and cool, determined mouth, sat next, and eyed the scene like a general who parades his forces and waits to give them the word of command.