"We have stolen a march upon Tom, and I hope we shall get ashore without waking him," said Pell, as he went forward with Bent.
At the right time Kidd luffed her up, and went forward to assist in the work there. He hauled down the jib while his companions were easing the anchor into the water. In a moment she was fast to the bottom. Tom had not yet put in an appearance, and the rebels had succeeded beyond their expectations.
"Don't go aft again," said Kidd, as he hauled the skiff up to the bow of the schooner. He had preferred to anchor, lest the noise of mooring should disturb the sleepers.
Bent got into the skiff, and was followed by the others. They paddled to the shore, and left the Lily with her fore and main sail set. They landed at the old wharf. As they had supposed, the principal was wide awake, and had discovered the loss of the Lily. He had called the students together, and had only just taken the names of the absent ones. When he saw the Lily come into Beechwater, he walked at once to the old wharf.
"Good-morning, Digfield! Good-morning, Fillwing! You have been taking an early sail," said the principal in his usual tones.
Bent replied to the salutation, and then handed the roll of bills to Captain Gildrock, who received them with astonishment, not to say wonder.
CHAPTER XXIX.
TOM TOPOVER'S RECEPTION.
"Sixty dollars!" exclaimed Captain Gildrock, when he had looked over the roll of bills handed him by Bent Fillwing. "Why do you give this money to me?"
"Doesn't it belong to you, sir?" asked Bent, who had put on the meekest expression he could find among his resources.