SCHOOL DAYS
CHAPTER V
RUGBY AND FOOTBALL
". . . Foot and eye opposed
In dubious strife."
—Scott.
"
ND so here's Rugby, sir, at last, and you'll be in plenty of time for dinner at the School-house, as I tell'd you," said the old guard, pulling his horn out of its case and tootle-tooing away; while the coachman shook up his horses and carried them along the side of the school close, round Dead-man's Corner, past the school-gates, and down the High Street to the Spread Eagle; the wheelers in a spanking trot, and leaders cantering, in a style which would not have disgraced "Cherry Bob," "ramping, stamping, tearing, swearing Billy Harwood," or any other of the old coaching heroes.
Tom's heart beat quick as he passed the great school field or close, with its noble elms, in which several games at football were
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