There was a pause, as the new teacher got out the roll book and began to scan the pages. Then, of a sudden, the door opened once more and Josiah Crabtree came in swiftly and marched to the desk. In his hand he held a cat-o’-nine tails.
CHAPTER XIII
PLUXTON CUDDLE’S PROPOSITION
“Say, Jack, this begins to look serious,” remarked Pepper in a whisper, as all eyes were directed to Crabtree and the lash he carried.
“He’ll make a big mistake if he tries to whip us,” was the young major’s comment. “What’s this?” he asked, as a bit of paper was thrust into his hand. The paper read:
“Refuse to say a word about anything. Pass this paper along.”
“That’s the talk,” said the young major, and slipped the sheet to the student behind him. Thus the paper travelled from one end of the classroom to the other.
“I was just going to call the roll, Mr. Crabtree,” said Pluxton Cuddle. “We’ll find out soon who is guilty of assaulting you.”
“Yes! yes! The quicker the better,” answered the other teacher, grimly, and clutched his cat-o’-nine tails tightly.
“If he tries to use that there will be a regular fight, mark my words,” whispered Dale, who sat near Pepper.
“He’s a fool to bring that here, at such a time,” answered The Imp. “What does he take us for, a lot of kids?”