My School Day. 59
me, I heard the boys starting in pursuit ; but on
I ran, faster than I had ever run in my life.

Throwing a terrified glance back as I turned a
corner, I was dismayed to sce Tommy the foremost
of my pursuers. Next after him, and not far behind,
came Simon.

“There a be! Iseen him! Iscen him!” shouted
Tommy, pointing frantically in exactly the opposite
direction to the one I had taken. Away he dashed,
away went all the others after him, and their shouts
grew fainter and fainter in the distance.

Not for this did I slacken my speed, however ; I
hardly knew where I was going, but my legs carried
me straight home, and I never paused until I sank
panting and dizzy at my father’s feet, clasping his
knees and sobbing, too faint and breathless to
speak,

He lifted me up and tried to make out what was
the matter ; but for a long time I could do nothing
but cling to him trembling, and entreat him not to
let them take me. At last, however, I sobbed out
my story; and to my great rclicf, my father ex-
pressed much indignation, declared that his boy
should not be hunted like a dog, nor punished for
the pranks of others, and that he would not give
me up; no, not if Mr. Prickard himself came to
fetch me. For, in the fulness of my heart, I told