Jim Smith, taking up Tommy bodily, threw him into the blanket, and then seizing one end, gave it a violent toss.  Up went the boy into the air, and tumbling back again into the blanket was raised again.

“Raise him, boys!” shouted Jim.  “Give him a hoist!”

Then it was that Tommy screamed, and Hector heard his cry for help.

He came rushing round the corner of the building, and comprehended, at a glance, what was going on.

Naturally his hot indignation was much stirred.

“For shame, you brutes!” he cried.  “Stop that!”

If there was anyone whom Jim Smith did not want to see at this moment, it was Hector Roscoe.  He would much rather have seen one of the ushers.  He saw that he was in a scrape, but his pride would not allow him to back out.

“Keep on, boys!” he cried.  “It’s none of Roscoe’s business.  He’d better clear out, or we’ll toss him.”

As he spoke he gave another toss.

“Save me, Hector!” cried Tommy, espying his friend’s arrival with joy.

Hector was not the boy to let such an appeal go unheeded.  He sprang forward, dealt Jim Smith a powerful blow, that made him stagger, and let go the blanket, and then helped Tommy to his feet.

“Run into the house.  Tommy!” he said.  “There may be some rough work here.”

He faced round just in time to fend off partially a blow from the angry bully.

“Take that for your impudence!” shouted Jim Smith.  “I’ll teach you to meddle with, me.”

But Jim reckoned without his host.  The blow was returned with interest, and, in the heat of his indignation, Hector followed it up with such a volley that the bully retreated in discomfiture, and was glad to withdraw from the contest.

“I’ll pay you for this, you scoundrel!” he said, venomously.

“Whenever you please, you big brute!” returned Hector, contemptuously.  “It is just like you to tease small boys.  If you annoy Tommy Cooper again, you’ll hear from me.”

“I’d like to choke that fellow!” muttered Jim.  “Either he or I will have to leave this school.”

CHAPTER XVII.

Jim smith’s Revenge.

It would be natural to suppose that Jim Smith, relying upon his influence with his uncle, would have reported this last “outrage,” as he chose to consider it, to the principal, thus securing the punishment of Hector.  But he was crafty, and considered that no punishment Hector was likely to receive would satisfy him.  Corporal punishment for taking the part of an ill-used boy, Hector was probably too spirited to submit to, and, under these circumstances, it would hardly have been inflicted.  Besides, Jim was aware that the offense for which Hector had attacked him was not likely, if made known, to secure sympathy.  Even his uncle would be against him, for he was fond of money, and had no wish to lose the new pupil, whose friends were well able to pay for him.