e two lads walked toward the lane, but,
before they had gone many yards, Vane reeled again.

This time the vertigo was slighter, and, taking Distin's arm, he kept
his feet.

"Let's walk on," he said. "I daresay the buzzy noise and singing in my
head will soon pass off."

He was right: it did, and they progressed slowly till they reached the
lane, where the walking was better, but Vane was still glad to retain
Distin's help, and so it happened that, when they were about a mile from
the rectory, Gilmore and Macey, who were in search of them, suddenly saw
something which made them stare.

"I say," cried Macey; "'tisn't real, is it? Wait till I've rubbed my
eyes."

"Why, they've made it up," cried Gilmore. "I say, Aleck, don't say a
word."

"Why not?"

"I mean don't chaff them or Dis may go off like powder. You know what
he is."

"I won't speak a word, but, I say, it's Weathercock's doing. He has
invented some decoction to charm creoles, and henceforth old Dis will be
quite tame."

As they drew nearer, Gilmore whispered:

"They've been having it out."

"Yes, and Weathercock has had an awful licking; look at his phiz."

"No," said Gilmore. "Vane has licked; and it's just like him, he hasn't
hit Dis in the face once. Don't notice it."

"Not I."

They were within speaking distance now; and Distin's sallow countenance
showed two burning red spots in the cheeks.

"Hullo!" cried Vane. "Come to meet us?"

"Yes," said Gilmore; "we began to think you were lost."

"Oh, no," said Vane, carelessly. "Been some distance and the time soon
goes. I think I'll turn off here, and get home across the meadows.
Good-evening, you two. Good-night, Dis, old chap."

"Good-night," said Distin, huskily, as he took the bruised and slightly
bleeding hand held out to him. Then turning away, he walked swiftly on.

"Why, Vane, old boy," whispered Gilmore, "what's going on?"

Vane must have read of Douglas Jerrold's smart reply, for he said,
merrily:

"I am; good-night," and he was gone.

"I'm blest!" cried Macey; giving his leg a slap.

"He has gone in back way so as not to be seen," cried Gilmore.

"That's it," cried Macey, excitedly. "Well, of all the old Weathercocks
that ever did show which way the wind blew--"

He did not finish that sentence, but repeated his former words--

"I'm blest!"

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

IN HIDING.

Vane meant to slip in by the back after crossing the meadows, but as a