[CHAPTER XII]
HAS TO DO WITH STORM AND LIGHTNING; DISCOVERS TOM IN TEARS, AND CONCLUDES THE ADVENTURE
When Mr. Verder gave the word, twenty-three hounds started in pursuit of the hares, and in the foremost group trotted Tom. They had just reached the village when the rain burst, and the way in which they piled into the post-office led the village gossips there assembled to jump from their chairs in terror, thinking they were attacked by a gang of desperadoes. And when the fellows had slammed the door behind them and gathered at the windows to watch the torrent, they saw through the hissing sheets of water the solitary form of Mr. Thomas Courtenay Ferris trotting doggedly on up the road. Then the door opened and closed again, and Bob sped after him.
“What are you going to do, you crazy dub?” panted Bob when he had caught up.
“Cu-cu-catch those fu-fu-fu-fellows,” answered Tom resolutely.
“Why, they’ve given it up by this time, you idiot!”
“I haven’t. I su-su-said I was going to finish, and I am!”
“Poppycock!” muttered Bob. “However, I’ll see you through.”
“You’ll gu-gu-gu-get wet,” said Tom.