Nat's sympathies were intensely wrought upon by these tidings; for Harry and Tom were among his school-fellows. The idea of trying such little boys in a court of justice excited him very much. He forgot all about the games projected and the rent in his pantaloons, and seizing his cap, he said to Frank,
"Will you go?"
"Yes, I've played about enough," answered Frank. "I would like to go to a court."
The boys hurried away to the hall; and they found that the court had opened, and that the room was well filled with people. Nat edged his way along through the crowd until he found himself directly in front of the table where the justice sat. Sure enough, there the two young prisoners were, Harry and Tom, looking as if they were half frightened out of their wits. How Nat pitied them! It seemed strange to him that men could deal thus with boys so small. He listened to the examination, of witnesses with great emotion, and watched Harry and Tom so closely that he could read their very thoughts. He knew just how badly they felt, and that if they could get clear this time, they never would be caught in such wrong-doing again.
"Were you present at the exhibition?" inquired the justice of one of the witnesses.
"I was," he answered.
"Did the prisoners disturb the exercise?"
"They did."
"How do you know that Harry and Tom were the boys?"
"Because I went out to send them away, and found them on the piazza."