with two great rents in his
trousers, as the foremost shepherd comes up on the other side. As they
start into the next field, they are aware of two figures walking down
the footpath in the middle of it, and recognise Holmes and Diggs taking
a constitutional. Those good-natured fellows immediately shout "On."
"Let's go to them and surrender," pants Tom.--Agreed.--And in another
minute the four boys, to the great astonishment of those worthies, rush
breathless up to Holmes and Diggs, who pull up to see what is the
matter; and then the whole is explained by the appearance of the farmer
and his men, who unite their forces and bear down on the knot of boys.

There is no time to explain, and Tom's heart beats frightfully quick, as
he ponders, "Will they stand by us?"

The farmer makes a rush at East and collars him; and that young
gentleman, with unusual discretion, instead of kicking his shins, looks
appealingly at Holmes, and stands still.

"Hullo there, not so fast," says Holmes, who is bound to stand up for
them till they are proved in the wrong. "Now what's all this about?"

"I've got the young varmint at last, have I," pants the farmer; "why
they've been a skulking about my yard and stealing my fowls, that's
where 'tis; and if I doan't have they flogged for it, every one on 'em,
my name ain't Thompson."

Holmes looks grave, and Diggs's face falls. They are quite ready to
fight, no boys in the school more so; but they are praepostors, and
understand their office, and can't uphold unrighteous causes.

"I haven't been near his old barn this half," cries East. "Nor I," "Nor
I," chime in Tom and Martin.

"Now, Willum, didn't you see 'm there last week?"

"Ees, I seen 'em sure enough," says Willum, grasping a prong he carried,
and preparing for action.

The boys deny stoutly, and Willum is driven to admit that, "if it worn't
they, 'twas chaps as like 'em as two peas'n;" and "leastways he'll swear
he see'd them two in the yard last Martinmas," indicating East and Tom.

Holmes had time to meditate. "Now, sir," says he to Willum, "you see you
can't remember what you have seen, and I believe the boys."

"I doan't care," blusters the farmer; "they was arter my fowls to-day,
that's enough for I. Willum, you catch hold o' t'other chap. They've
been a sneaking about this two hours, I tells 'ee," shouted he, as
Holmes stands between Martin and Willum, "and have druv a matter of a
dozen young pullets pretty nigh to death."