CHAPTER XIV.
IN WHICH ERNEST IS WAITED UPON BY A DEPUTY SHERIFF.
We had no means of knowing the object of Mr. Parasyte's visit to CampFair Play--whether he was coming to make a treaty of peace, or todeclare and carry on the war. The boat in which he was approaching wasa hired one, rowed by the two men who worked for him. His force wassufficient to do us a great deal of mischief; and the questions as towhat he would, and what he could do, were full of interest to us. Fourmen are a formidable force to any number of boys; and the fact thatSheriff Greene was one of the party added to the seriousness of thevisitation.
"What can they do?" asked Vallington. "We can at least prepare forpossibilities."
"They can take the boats from us," answered Bob Hale, "and leave ushere to be starved into submission."
"It would be awkward to be obliged to return to the academy likewhipped puppies; but I suppose we could be starved into it."
"We will look out for that," I added.
"How can you help it?"
"Leave that to me," I replied, as I hastened down to thelanding-place, where I summoned my boatmen for service.
We took the three row-boats out of the water, and carried them somedistance from the shore, hiding them in the bushes. The Splash was toolarge to be carried far; but we took her out of the water, and put herhigh and dry on the island. A force of twenty students had been placedunder my command, and with a little engineering we made easy work evenof these heavy jobs. The rudder of the sail-boat was unshipped, andconcealed, so that she would be useless to the invaders, if theyattempted to carry her off. There was no fear that they would try totow the scow back to Parkville; for in doing this their punishmentwould be too severe.
Having accomplished my work, I returned to the headland whereVallington had his headquarters, just as Mr. Parasyte's boat touchedthe shore below.
"We are all right now," I remarked to the leader.
"The boats are secure--are they?"
"They are."
"Very well; then we are ready to receive our visitors. I will appointa committee of three to wait upon them and invite them to ourheadquarters."
Three students were detailed for this duty, and they descended thebluff. Mr. Parasyte and the deputy sheriff followed them up the bank,where Vallington was ready to receive them in state, supported by hisofficers. The parson had instructed the rebels to treat our visitorswith the utmost politeness, and enjoined them not to insult or annoyMr. Parasyte. This was good advice, for some of the boys would havebeen glad to duck him in the lake, or to subject him to otherindignities, now that they had the power to do so.
The principal of the Parkville Liberal Institute had doubtless beenvery angry when he returned to the school, and found that a "breakingaway" had taken place; but he had cooled off during his passage overthe lake, and now he looked troubled and anxious, rather than angry.As he walked towards the spot where the officers of the camp stood, hegazed curiously around him; but he said nothing.
"Vallington, I am very much surprised to find you with this party,"were the first words he spoke, as he discovered our leader, standingon his dignity, a little in advance of his supporters.
"Considering the circumstances, Mr. Parasyte, I am not at allsurprised to find myself here," replied the parson. "If it were a merefrolic for the love of mischief, I should not be here. I presume youcome on business, sir."
"On business!" exclaimed the principal, apparently taken aback by theremarks of Vallington. "I _did_ come on business."
"You will oblige me by stating it, sir. I have been chosen the leaderof this company, and I represent the students here assembled."
"My business is to order you back to the Institute," continued Mr.Parasyte, becoming a little excited by the independent manner of ourleader.
"In behalf of those whom I represent, I must decline to obey theorder--at least for the present."
The eye of the deputy sheriff twinkled as he listened to thesespeeches. He seemed to regard the affair as a big joke, and toappreciate it accordingly. Though none of us had ever had any officialrelations with him, we knew him as what all the people called "a goodfellow," witty, jovial, and never severe even in the discharge of hisduties. It is more than probable that he knew Mr. Parasyte as the boysknew him, and despised him accordingly. At any rate, we judged fromthe expression on his round face, that he was at heart on our side,however his official position might compel him to act.
"I am sorry, boys, that you have engaged in this rebellion, for itwill not be pleasant for me to compel obedience," continued Mr.Parasyte, struggling to repress his anger.
"I am sorry, also, that we have been compelled to take this unpleasantstand," replied Vallington, with dignity. "If you are willing to hearit, sir, I should like to state the position of the boys in thismatter. Perhaps the difficulty can be arranged; if it can, we will atonce return to the Institute."
"If there are any real abuses, I am willing to correct them. I willhear what you have to say."
Vallington briefly rehearsed the grievances of the boys, and demandedthat Thornton should be restored to all his privileges, withoutpunishment, and that Mr. Hardy should be reengaged.
Mr. Parasyte turned red in the face, and bit his lips with anger andvexation.
"Are you the principal of the Parkville Liberal Institute, or am I?"said he, when the parson had finished.
"Neither of us, I think, as the matter now stands, sir."
"I see that you are determined to defy me," added Mr. Parasyte. "Youask me to restore Thornton without punishment of any kind. Are youaware that he assaulted me with a deadly weapon?"
"We are aware that he defended himself when assaulted."
"Assaulted!" gasped Mr. Parasyte, astounded to hear his own actcalled by such a name. "Are you aware of the powers which the lawlodges in the hands of the teacher?"
"I am."
"Thornton refused to obey me; and, at his uncle's request, I intendedto enforce obedience. It was my duty to do so."
"May I inquire, Mr. Parasyte, in what Thornton refused to obey you?"asked Vallington, in the gentlest of tones.
"I required him to apologize to Poodles privately, and to me publicly.He refused to do so."
"I told Mr. Parasyte that I would apologize to him," I interposed,addressing our leader.
"That wasn't enough," replied the principal.
"At the time, sir, you knew Poodles had confessed that he alone was toblame for the affair on the pier. Thornton was innocent; and it hadbeen fairly proved to you that he was innocent. Poodles himselfassured you of the fact, and his evidence was fully confirmed byPearl. In the face of this overwhelming proof, you attempted to flogThornton into apologizing for that of which you knew he was notguilty. No boy with a soul would submit to be flogged under suchcircumstances. I would not, and I have no respect for any fellow thatwould. No boy was ever yet flogged in the Institute, and it was anoutrage to attempt such a thing."
Vallington was quite eloquent, and Mr. Parasyte actually quailed as hepoured out his feelings in well-chosen words, and with an emphasiswhich forced their meaning home to the heart. The tyrant had gone toofar to recede. He did what weak, low-minded men always do under suchcircumstances--he got furiously angry, and delivered himself inabusive terms. He declared that Poodles and Pearl had been frightenedinto their confession, and persisted in saying that I had caused thequarrel on the pier.
"But it is no use to reason with you. I am going to compel obediencenow. If you will not mind, I shall make you mind," foamed he, stampingthe ground in his rage.
"We have nothing to say, sir, except that we shall defend ourselvesfrom assaults of all kinds," added Vallington.
"Assaults! How dare you use that word to me! I am in the lawfulexercise of my authority as the principal of the Parkville LiberalInstitute. You were committed to my care by your parents, and I shalldo my duty by you. As to Thornton, his case shall be settled by thecourt. Mr. Greene, you have a warrant for his arrest."
"Yes, I have
," replied the deputy sheriff, with a broad grin.
"That's the boy," continued Mr. Parasyte, furiously, as he pointed tome.
My companions were evidently disconcerted, as I certainly was, by thisaction of Mr. Parasyte. They had got up the rebellion on my accountdirectly, though indirectly on their own, and it would be a sad defeatto have me carried off by an officer of the law. Mr. Greene walked upto me, still wearing his smiling face.
"Well, Ernest, I am sorry for you; but I suppose I must do my duty. Ihave a warrant for your arrest."
"I shall not resist," I replied.
"You shall have fair play."
"That's all I want."
"I am sorry to take you away," he added, in a low tone; "for, betweenyou and me, I think the boys have the rights of the matter; but Ican't help serving the warrant."
"Put him in irons, Mr. Greene. He is a violent fellow," said Mr.Parasyte, savagely.
"I shall not do that," replied the sheriff. "I can handle him withoutany irons."
"Mr. Greene," interposed Vallington, "will you allow me to look atyour warrant?"
"Certainly, if you want to."
"Don't do it, Mr. Greene!" shouted Mr. Parasyte.
"Don't be so grouty, sir. The young gentleman may see it, if he wantsto do so," replied the sheriff, with a broad grin on his fat face, ashe handed the warrant to the parson. "I don't belong to your school,Mr. Parasyte, and I suppose I can do as I please."
The principal bit his lip again; and Vallington glanced at the legaldocument.
"This warrant speaks about 'our county of Adieno,'" said the leader."Are you aware, Mr. Greene, that this island is not in the county ofAdieno?"
"No! Isn't it though?" laughed the sheriff.
"It certainly is not," added Vallington, returning the warrant to thesheriff.
"What odds does that make?" demanded Mr. Parasyte, angrily. "Theoffence was committed in Adieno county."
"Well, I don't know," said the sheriff. "I don't want to do anythingthat isn't lawful. It may be right to take him here; but I'm not sure,you see."
"That is absurd, Mr. Greene."
"I haven't been a deputy sheriff but about six months, and I'm notfully posted yet. We'll go back to Parkville, and if I find it's allright, I'll come over and arrest Ernest to-morrow. That will be soonenough."
Mr. Greene seemed to be the happiest person on the island; and Mr.Parasyte was so angry he could hardly contain himself.