Chapter 21 - Page 2

The three boys now presented a picturesque appearance, but there was
none save the man in the moon to see them. They stood round the Cuttle
Well, each holding an egg-cup, and though the daring nature of their
undertaking and the romantic surroundings combined to excite them, it
was not fear but soaring purpose that paled their faces and caused their
hands to tremble, when Tommy said solemnly, "Afore we do what we've come
here to do, let's swear."

"Stroke!" he said.

"Stroke!" said Gav.

"Stroke!" said Corp.

They then filled their cups and holding them over the well, so that they
clinked, they said:

"To the king ower the water!"

"To the king ower the water!"

"To the king ower the water!"

When they had drunk Tommy broke his cup against a rock, for he was
determined that it should never be used to honor a meaner toast, and the
others followed his example, Corp briskly, though the act puzzled him,
and Gav with a gloomy look because he knew that the cups would be
missed to-morrow.

"Is that a' now?" whispered Corp, wiping his forehead with his sleeve.

"All!" cried Tommy. "Man, we've just begood."

As secretly as they had entered it, they left the Den, and anon three
figures were standing in a dark trance, cynically watching the revellers
in the square.

"If they just kent!" muttered the smallest, who was wearing his jacket
outside in to escape observation.

"But they little ken!" said Gav Dishart.

"They hinna a notion!" said Corp, contemptuously, but still he was a
little puzzled, and presently he asked softly: "Lads, what just is it
that they dinna ken?"

Had Gav been ready with an answer he could not have uttered it, for just
then a terrible little man in black, who had been searching for him in
likely places, seized him by the cuff of the neck, and, turning his face
in an easterly direction, ran him to family worship. But there was still
work to do for the other two. Walking home alone that night from Mr.
Patullo's party, Mr. Cathro had an uncomfortable feeling that he was
being dogged. When he stopped to listen, all was at once still, but the
moment he moved onward he again heard stealthy steps behind. He retired
to rest as soon as he reached his house, to be wakened presently by a
slight noise at the window, whence the flag-post protruded. It had been
but a gust of wind, he decided, and turned round to go to sleep again,
when crash! the post was plucked from its place and cast to the ground.
The dominie sprang out of bed, and while feeling for a light, thought he
heard scurrying