They had by no means enjoyed themselves as well as they expected they should, and now, when it was too late, they would have given almost anything if they could have lived the day over again.
They would have gone to school. Like all guilty persons, they were afraid, and Leon did not attempt to conceal the fact, although Frank did.
They ran almost all the way to the village, and climbing the fence at the back of Mr. Parker's lot, they hurried across the field, taking care to keep the barn between themselves and the house.
The merry shouts that came to their ears told them that they had not a moment to lose—that school had just been dismissed.
They entered the barn through the back door, and after hiding their guns and equipments in the hay-mow, ran out again. They crept along on their hands and knees under cover of the currant bushes, crossed two or three lots, and finally reached the street in which the school-house was located. Then they breathed easier.
They slackened their pace and walked along like honest school-boys, believing that all danger of discovery was passed; but what was their astonishment and alarm when one of their schoolmates, who had seen them climb the fence, hurried up to them, exclaiming as soon as he came within speaking distance:
"Hallo, fellows! where have you been to-day?"
"We have been at home," replied Frank, who, having a larger stock of falsehoods at his command than his cousin, was always expected to speak for him. "We couldn't come to school to-day."
"That's very strange," replied the boy. "Miles Jackson went to your house this morning to ask where you were, and returned with the report that you had started for school as usual."
Leon was almost ready to drop, and Frank, as soon as he had somewhat recovered from his amazement, asked angrily: