In a short time he came out upon a level stretch of ground whence he could easily see how the land lay and pick out a path back to the river and the nearest town to Hilltop.
He set out at a good walk and reached a village below the station at the foot of the hill whence he could make his way across at about eight o’clock in the morning.
“I can get to the Academy in time for school,” he said to himself, “and give somebody a surprise. I’d like to know what they are thinking of now but I know what they will think when they see me walk in to take my examinations.”
He had calculated the time correctly for as he reached the top of the hill in front of the Academy and saw the well-known buildings stretching out before him he heard the warning bell which told him he must hasten.
The boys were already indoors and Jack hurried on, entered and went to the great schoolroom, taking his seat and saying quietly while all the boys looked at him in astonishment:
“I am sorry to have been detained, sir but I trust that I am in here in time for the first examination.”
Then, although it was against the rules, the majority of the boys raised a joyous shout and gave three hearty cheers.