g him over the head and shoulders. I signed to my
companions, and making a spring, jumped on Houlston's back and began
belabouring him with might and main. I shouted to the others to come on
and attack him on either side. He was furious, and struck out right and
left at them; but I, clinging pertinaciously to his back, prevented his
blows having due effect. My companions on this closed in, and two of
them seizing him by the legs, down he came, with me still clinging to
his back. The rest now threw themselves upon him. Handkerchiefs were
brought out, and in spite of his struggles they managed to tie his arms
behind him, while I kept him down. Though he kicked out furiously, by
jumping on his body we succeeded in securing his legs, and we thus had
him in our power. It was in the evening of a half-holiday. On one side
of the yard was a wood-shed. Into this we dragged him. Astonishment
and the efforts he made to free himself had prevented him from shouting
for help. Before he had uttered a cry, Rawlings, one of the biggest of
our party, running up, shoved a handkerchief into his mouth, which
completely gagged him. We then all ran away, leaving him without
compunction in the dark and cold. Assembling again in the school-room,
we agreed to leave him till somebody coming by might release him.
Tea-time came, and Houlston did not make his appearance. I began to
grow anxious, and communicated my fears to Arthur, who sat next to me.
Still he did not come. Tea was over. At last Arthur entreated that we
would go and ascertain what was the matter. It was now quite dark. I
remember quite well the uncomfortable feeling I had, as, stealing out,
we groped our way in the dark to the yard. On approaching the
wood-house we heard a groan. Could it proceed from Houlston? My heart
beat more tranquilly, though, for the groan showed that he was alive.
We crept in. He was where we had left him; but his hands were icy cold.
I bethought me first of withdrawing the handkerchief from his mouth.
Some of the fellows proposed leaving him again.

"Oh no, no; pray don't do that!" exclaimed Arthur. "Perhaps he will
promise to give up bullying if we agree to cast him loose."

"You hear that, Houlston?" said Tony. "Will you become a good fellow
and treat the little chaps properly, or will you spend the night out
here?"

Houlston only grumbled out some words which we could not understand. At
last we heard him say, "What is it you w