y spirit, and not altogether sure whether in our present
escapade we Stonebridge House boys were not making rather fools of
ourselves.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

HOW THE REBELLION COLLAPSED, AND WE LEFT STONEBRIDGE HOUSE.

I was roused next morning early by the sound of voices, and found that a
fresh council of war was being held in the big bed on the question of
the ultimatum. Smith was away at the time.

"I mean to say," said Rathbone, "Smith's far too mild to suit me."

I felt called upon to stick up for my chum.

"Why did you make him captain?" I said. I had long got past the stage
of being afraid either of Rathbone or Philpot at Stonebridge House.

"Well," retorted the malcontent, "why doesn't he go the whole hog?"

"Depends on what you call the whole hog," I replied.

"Why, instead of feeding them up like fighting-cocks I'd starve them--I
would. And I'd have locked them all together in an empty garret, and
not in rooms with sofas and beds and all that nonsense. And I wouldn't
let them out till they came out on their knees and promised to do
whatever they were ordered. That's what I'd do, and I'll tell--"

"Now then, Rathbone," cried Smith, entering at that moment, "it's your
turn to look after the grub, remember. Look alive, or we shall have no
breakfast."

It was a curious indication of the power that was in my friend Smith,
that Rathbone--though the words of mutiny were even then on his lips--
quietly got up and went off to his allotted duties without saying a
word.

"Look here," said Smith, presently, pulling two papers from his pocket,
"I've written out the terms we agreed to. How will this do?

"`To Mr Ladislaw, Miss Henniker, and Mr Hashford,--We, the undersigned
boys of Stonebridge House, are willing to release you on the following
conditions:

"`1. That leave be given to the boys to talk to one another when not in
class.

"`2. That detention for bad marks given by Miss Henniker be abolished.

"`3. That you say nothing to any one about all this.

"`As long as you stick to these conditions, and Miss Henniker doesn't
plague us, we agree to be steady and not mutiny any more.' That's about
all we need say, isn't it?"

"I don't see," said Philpot, "the use of the last clause. We don't want
to bind ourselves down."

"There's no harm, though, in saying we won't kick up a row if they treat
us properly."

"I don't know," said Philpot, doubtfully. "I don't want to sign away my
right