"
"But what's the harm of saying that you and he fell, and he broke
his leg?"
"A great deal of harm," Ned replied. "If it was known that a boy's leg
got broke in a fight with us it would be sure to come to Hathorn's
ears; then there would be an inquiry and a row. Like enough he
would go up to see the boy and inquire all about it. Then the men
would suppose that we had broken our words, and the next time you
and I go out on a fishing expedition there's no saying what mightn't
happen to us. They are a rough lot those moor men, and don't stick
at trifles."
"I will say nothing about it," Tompkins replied hastily; "you may
rely on that. What a lucky fellow you are to be going home! Nothing
will be said to you for being an hour late. I shall get a licking
to a certainty. How I do hate that Hathorn, to be sure!"
They now came to the point where the road separated and each hurried
on at his best speed.
"You are late tonight, Ned," the boy's father said when he entered.
"I don't like your being out after dark. I don't mind how far you
go so that you are in by sunset; but, halloo!" he broke off, as he
caught sight of the boy's face as he approached the table at which
the rest of the party were sitting at tea; "what have you been
doing to your face?"
Captain Sankey might well be surprised. One of the boy's eyes was
completely closed by a swelling which covered the whole side of
his face.
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