He was some years older than I, and I daresay he soon forgot the little fellow who used secretly to look up to him and worship him.

But now I must tell you why he became my hero.

One day a party of boys had arranged to walk to a place four miles distant, where there was to be a meet of the hounds.

I wanted very much to go; I joined the party as they set out on their expedition.

There were six boys, all older than myself, one of them being the handsome, clever fellow whom even then I thought superior to all the rest.