"That's all right, father," returned Bert. "I mean to win it, and what's more, I'm going to."
It need hardly be said that the first item of news Bert had for his friend Frank next morning was his father's offer.
"Won't it be splendid to have a pony of my very own!" he exclaimed, his eyes dancing with delight at the prospect. "Perhaps your father will give you a pony, too, if you win a prize; hey, Frank?"
Frank shook his head dubiously:
"Not much chance of that, Bert. That's not his way of doing things."
"Oh, well, never mind. You can ride turn about with me on mine, and we'll have just splendid fun."
As the boys were talking together, little Ernest Linton approached, looking as if he had something on his mind. Getting close to Bert, he touched him gently on the arm to attract his attention, and, turning a very earnest, appealing face to his, said:
"Bert, I want to ask a favour."
"Hallo, Ernie, what's up?" asked Bert, in his kindest tones.
Ernest then proceeded to tell him that his younger brother, Paul, was to come to the school in a few days, and that he was a very timid, delicate little chap that would be sure to be half frightened out of his life if they hoisted him; and what Ernest wanted was that Bert and Frank should see if they could not, in some way or other, save Paul from being hoisted.