Jack of Both Sides | Page 7

can't manage to keep an eye on the juniors
for twenty minutes. Where are these two boys? Take me to them
directly! What do you suppose Mr. West will say? He'll certainly be
extremely angry with you all. I shouldn't be surprised if he stops your
coming here."
"We wondered whether you would feel obliged to tell him, sir," said
Jack thoughtfully. "Of course, if you must, you must; but it doesn't
seem as if there was much to be gained by it, does there? The March
Hare and Toppin have learnt their lesson pretty thoroughly."
Mr. Anderson frowned and bit his finger, and the toe of his boot
tap-tapped on the ground. It was evident he was undecided. Presently
he looked at Jack.
"You mean that, provided I find these two lads absolutely none the
worse for their ducking, you beg me, as a great favour, not to carry a
report to Mr. West?"

"Yes, sir," Jack responded briskly.
"Well, I won't promise, but I'll think it over."
Mr. Anderson's thought ended in a decision which he announced to the
boys when they were gathered together.
"For once, and once only, I have consented to spare you all from
certain punishment by not reporting to Mr. West this accident, which
you ought to have prevented. But you must never ask or expect to be
shielded by me again. Now we will go for a brisk walk as usual, and
call for Graglia and Trevelyan minor on the way back. I dare say they
will be ready for us by that time."
Now, none of the boys, except those immediately concerned in the
accident, had realized that they were in any danger of punishment; but
when the matter was set before them in this light, their gratitude to Mr.
Anderson was profound.
"Oh, thank you!"
"Thank you, sir, very much!"
"It sha'n't happen again, sir!"
"Thank you awfully, sir!"
Pleasure and surprise were equally mingled in the boys' expressions.
But Jack caught a murmur from Cadbury, very soft and low,
"It's six for us, and half a dozen for yourself, eh, Andy?"
CHAPTER III
THE CHICKEN AND THE BICYCLE
Mr. West, the master of Brincliffe, was a man of independent mind,
and though the boys liked him well enough, there was a difference of
opinion regarding his regulations. For example, the same term in which

the door was opened to day-pupils, it was shut to hampers, even
birthday ones. Cadbury suggested reporting this high-handed act to the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, but decided to let
him off when a permission was announced which almost atoned for the
loss of cakes and preserves. Bicycles were allowed!
Every boy who had one might bring it to school, although, of course,
there were strict limits to its uses, and he who misused the privilege
laid himself open to the heavy penalty of leaving it at home the next
term. The plan worked well, and gave huge pleasure to the pupils.
With the exception of such small fry as the March Hare and Toppin,
nearly every boy managed to possess himself of a machine of some
kind. Many were old, one was originally a lady's, and another had a
solid tyre, but so long as the wheels would go round nothing mattered.
And the wheel must be in a sorry condition indeed which a boy can't
work.
The season was still early when the Bicycle Paper-chase was proposed
and arranged. It was Jack Brady's suggestion, and every boy to whom it
was named jumped at the idea. Mr. West granted permission, provided
that a master accompanied them, and Norman Hallett drifted into the
post of captain.
It was agreed, after much consultation, that Hallett and Jack should be
the hares, that three minutes' start should be allowed, and that everyone
who liked to should be a hound. Simmons was to carry the horn and
"blow the true trail" whenever it was lighted upon. Half a dozen more
were selected to test the side tracks, as there were certain to be plenty
of false scents started.
The Saturday fixed for the chase proved a fine one, and the whole pack
was assembled outside the school gates at the hour appointed. Mr.
Anderson was once more in charge of the party. Little duties like these
fell naturally to his lot as the junior master.
One or two youngsters, who had not got machines of their own yet, had
begged leave to hire for the afternoon, so it happened that the March

Hare and Toppin were the only boarders left behind. Mournfully they
swung upon the gate, and watched the pack ride gaily away at the word
"Time!" from Mr. Anderson.
"I wish that they should have tooken us, eh, Top-peen?" said the March
Hare.
"You