ou can afford to
be disliked by the others."

"I have tried to do my duty, sir," replied Richard, blushing at the
praise bestowed upon him.

"You have done well. I know how fond you are of exciting adventure, and
I wonder that you had the strength to resist this temptation."

"I am surprised myself," added Richard.

"If I except the fight, which was greatly palliated by the
circumstances, and the sleeping on guard when we were in camp, your
conduct has been entirely unexceptionable since you came to the
Institute. Sleeping on guard is not----"

"I didn't sleep on guard, sir," interposed Richard, mildly and
respectfully. "I am prepared to explain all about that now."

"Indeed? It is rather late now," said the principal, shaking his head.

"I think I have unearthed the Regulators."

"The Regulators? I haven't heard any thing of them for a year. I
supposed they no longer existed."

"They do exist," added Richard. "I happen to know something about
them."

"What do you know?"

In reply to this question, Richard narrated all the particulars of his
abduction from his post while doing guard duty.

"But why didn't you tell me about this?" demanded the colonel,
surprised and indignant at the audacity of the Regulators. "Why did you
suffer the penalty of deserting your post, when you were innocent?"

"I thought it would be better in the end, sir. I wanted to find out who
the Regulators were."

"Well, have you found out?"

"I think I have, sir."

"Who are they?"

"I am pretty well satisfied that they are encamped upon Green Island
just now," said Richard, with a smile.

"What evidence have you?"

Richard stated, at considerable length, the facts and incidents which
had led him to this conclusion: but the colonel was not fully
satisfied.

"If you will permit me, sir, I think I could prove what I say to your
entire satisfaction."

"What do you wish to do?"

"I wish to visit Green Island," replied Richard, boldly.

"They would whip you again."

"I am not afraid of them."

"How will you get over to the island? The young rascals have taken all
the boats."

"I can borrow a skiff; if not, I can go over on a plank."

"But they would handle you rather roughly."

"I don't intend to let them see me. I think I can manage the matter,
sir."

"Well, Grant, your plan will harmonize with mine. I intend to punish
these mutineers, as they foolishly call themselves, in a novel way; and
I have already made my a