Some stood in the streets and cheered everything yellow they could discover; others crowded round the polling places and groaned the Radicals; some went off to look for the candidates themselves, and when at last Sir George Pony appeared on the scene in his carriage his enthusiastic young supporters set up a cheer enough to frighten the good old gentleman out of his wits, and, but for the active interference of the police, would have insisted on taking out the horses and dragging the triumphal car themselves round the town.
For a considerable time these juvenile demonstrations were allowed to pass with good-humoured forbearance by the town; but when presently, emboldened by their immunity, the schoolboys proceeded not only to hoot but occasionally to molest the opposite side, the young Shellporters began to resent the invasion.

A few scuffles ensued, and the temper of both parties rose.

The schoolboys waxed more and more outrageous, and the town boys more and more indignant, so that just about the time when the poll was closing, and when call-over was being sounded up at the school, a free fight had begun in the streets of Shellport.
At the first alarm the school had rallied from all sides, and concentrated its forces on the enemy, who seemed determined to dispute every inch of the ground between the town and the school.
How that battle ended, and how finally the schoolboys got home, we have already seen.
Riddell did not feel it his duty under present circumstances to read his visitors a lecture on the wickedness of breaking bounds.

He said it was a wonder they had all got up as safely as they had, and that no more damage had been done.

As to the penalties, he advised them to turn up at call-over in the morning and hear all about that from the doctor.
Early next morning, just as Riddell was dressed, there was a knock at his door, and young Wyndham entered.
He looked dejected and uncomfortable, but otherwise appeared to have recovered from the effects of yesterday's ill-usage.
"I say," said he, going up to the captain and holding out his hand, "I'm awfully sorry I was such a cad to you yesterday." "Not a bit, old fellow," said Riddell, seizing his hand, and glowing with pleasure at this unexpected visit.