t
his tongue, whereupon the First Centipede would say, in a low tone,
as if not intended for the ear of the victim, "Diabolus, fetch me the
red-hot iron!" The expedition with which that tongue would disappear was
simply ridiculous.

Our meetings were held in various barns, at no stated periods, but as
circumstances suggested. Any member had a right to call a meeting. Each
boy who failed to report himself was fined one cent. Whenever a member
had reasons for thinking that another member would be unable to attend,
he called a meeting. For instance, immediately on learning the death of
Harry Blake's great-grandfather, I issued a call. By these simple and
ingenious measures we kept our treasury in a flourishing condition,
sometimes having on hand as much as a dollar and a quarter.

I have said that the society had no special object. It is true, there
was a tacit understanding among us that the Centipedes were to stand by
one another on all occasions, though I don't remember that they did; but
further than this we had no purpose, unless it was to accomplish as
a body the same amount of mischief which we were sure to do as
individuals. To mystify the staid and slow-going Rivermouthians was our
frequent pleasure. Several of our pranks won us such a reputation among
the townsfolk, that we were credited with having a large finger in
whatever went amiss in the place.

One morning, about a week after my admission into the secret order, the
quiet citizens awoke to find that the signboards of all the principal
streets had changed places during the night. People who went trustfully
to sleep in Currant Square opened their eyes in Honeysuckle Terrace.
Jones's Avenue at the north end had suddenly become Walnut Street,
and Peanut Street was nowhere to be found. Confusion reigned. The town
authorities took the matter in hand without delay, and six of the Temple
Grammar School boys were summoned to appear before justice Clapbam.

Having tearfully disclaimed to my grandfather all knowledge of
the transaction, I disappeared from the family circle, and was not
apprehended until late in the afternoon, when the Captain dragged me
ignominiously from the haymow and conducted me, more dead than alive,
to the office of justice Clapham. Here I encountered five other pallid
culprits, who had been fished out of divers coal-bins, garrets, and
chicken-coops, to answer the demands of the outraged laws. (Charley
Marden had hidden himself in a pile of