When once the heads of the house were known to have declared so unmistakably against the new captain, it was not much to be wondered at that the rank and file followed their lead in a still more demonstrative manner.
It happened that Parson and his friends, Telson (who, though a schoolhouse boy, seemed to live most of his life in Parrett's), King, Wakefield, and Lawkins, had planned a little expedition up the river between third school and "call-over" that afternoon, and the present state of affairs in the school formed a rather lively topic of discussion for these worthies as they pulled the Parrett's "Noah's Ark"-- by which complimentary title the capacious boat devoted to the use of the juniors of the house was known--lazily up on the tide towards Balsham.
The river was pretty full, as usual at that time of day, and as one form which the wrath of the youthful Parretts took was to insult, and if opportunity arose, to run down the craft of either of the other houses, the discussion on the condition of Willoughby was relieved by more than one lively incident.
"Think of that chap being captain," said Parson, standing up on the back seat, with the rudder-lines in his hands so as to command a good view of the stream ahead.

"He couldn't row as well as old Bosher there." As "old Bosher" was at that moment engaged in super-human efforts to keep his balance with one hand, and extricate his oar, which had feathered two feet under the surface of the water, with the other, this illustration was particularly effective and picturesque.
"Oh, he's an awful cad," said Wakefield, who was rowing bow.

"He reported me to Wyndham last term for letting off crackers in bed." "What a beastly shame!" was the sympathising chorus.
"And you know--" added King.
But as Bosher fell rather violently backward into his lap at this instant, and let his oar go altogether, what King was going to say did not come out.
After a vast amount of manoeuvring, back-watering, shouting, and reaching to recover the lost oar, the voyage proceeded.
They had not proceeded far when the racing-boat of their house, manned by Bloomfield, Game, Tipper, and Ashley, and coached from the bank by Mr Parrett himself, spun past them in fine style and at a great rate.
As became loyal Parretts, the juniors pulled into the bank to let the four-oar pass, and, not content with this act of homage, they volunteered a round of vehement applause into the bargain.
"Bravo! Well rowed, our house! Two to one on Parrett's! Three cheers for Bloomfield! Three cheers for the captain! Hooroo!" With this gratifying salute the boat darted out of sight round the bend, leaving the juniors once more to continue on their festive way.
"Isn't old Bloomfield a stunner ?" said Lawkins.

"He's the sort of fellow for captain! Not that schoolhouse idiot, Riddell." "Easy all there about the schoolhouse," shouted down Telson from his place at stroke.

"I'll fight you if you say it again." "Hurrah! let's land and have a mill!" cried King.