“Good gracious,” exclaimed Beecham, “the prefect is dead, struck by lightning, up on the hill walk. Is that it, Smithers?”
The one appealed to, not fully comprehending the question, and half beside himself, nodded assent.
“Gill, quick, go at once to the President. Then take care of this fellow. Send a priest as soon as you can up the hill. Jack and Tom, you come with me.”
Ambrose naturally assumed the leadership in the emergency. The three ran along the walk and up the hillside path as fast as their legs could carry them.
CHAPTER XXIV
The Fallen Tree
HAVING seen from the classroom a large part of the great oak fall when the bolt came, the three boys supposed that was the spot where the tragedy must have taken place. They noticed the havoc the storm had wrought. Many large limbs of trees were scattered across their path. In several places the walk was washed out, leaving large gullies. On the thickly wooded hillside the damage was the greatest.