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Updated: June 22, 2025
Not a boy in the school missed seeing how Boddy's flat head perpetually had a side-eye on him. All this came to an end. John Salter's father lived on the other side of the downs, and invited three of us to spend a day at his house. The selection included Heriot, Saddlebank, and me. Mr. Rippenger, not liking to refuse Mr. Salter, consented to our going, but pretended that I was too young.
Heriot was gay as ever, but had fits of reserve; the word passed round that we were not to talk of yesterday evening. We feared he would refuse to play in the match. 'Why not? said he, staring at us angrily. 'Has Saddlebank broken his arm, and can't bowl? No, Saddlebank was in excellent trim, though shamefaced, as was Salter, and most of the big boys were.
But, observing the narrowness of the tents, it struck me there would be snoring companions. I felt so intensely sensitive, that the very idea of a snore gave me tremours and qualms: it was associated with the sense of fat. Saddlebank had the lid of the pot in his hand; we smelt the goose, and he cried, 'Now for supper; now for it! Halloa, you fellows!
Temple fetched a roaring sigh: 'Oh! how good this goose 'd be with our champagne. The idea seized and enraptured me. 'Saddlebank, I 'll buy him off you, I said. 'Chink won't flavour him, said Saddlebank, still at his business: 'here, you two, cut back by the down and try all your might to get a dozen apples before Catman counts heads at the door, and you hold your tongues.
But the woman asked them how it was possible to roast a goose on the top of wood-flames, where there was nothing to hang it by, and nothing would come of it except smoked bones! The boys groaned in consternation, and Saddlebank sowed discontent by grumbling, 'Now you see what your jolly new acquaintances have done for you.
Temple and I thought the word was out and hurrahed, and back came Barnshed. We had a task in persuading him to resume his expedition, as well as Saddlebank to forgive us. Saddlebank's anger was excessive. We conciliated him by calling him captain, and pretending to swear an oath of allegiance.
While the words were coming out of his mouth, he saw the tramps, and the male tramp's eyes and his met. The man had one eyebrow and his lips at one corner screwed in a queer lift: he winked slowly. 'Odd! ain't it? he said. Saddlebank shouldered round on us, and cried, 'Confound you fellows! here's a beastly place you've pitched upon. His face was the colour of scarlet in patches.
'By jingo! what a treat you'll have, Temple said among them, bursting with our secret. Saddlebank pleaded that he had missed his way on presenting himself ten minutes after time. To me and Temple he breathed of goose, but he shunned us; he had no fun in him till Saturday afternoon, when Catman called out to hear if we were for cricket or a walk. 'A walk on the downs, said Saddlebank.
'Bother it, Saddlebank, you'll make Catman hear you, said Temple, wiping his forehead. I perspired coldly. 'Catman! He's been at it for the last hour and a half, Saddlebank replied. One boy ran up: he was ready, and the only one who was. Presently Chaunter rushed by. 'Barnshed 's in custody; I'm away home, he said, passing. We stared at the black opening of the dell.
That matter settled, I felt myself rolling over and over at a great rate, and clasping a juniper tree. The horses had trenched from the chalk road on to the downs. I had been shot out. Heriot and Salter had jumped out Heriot to look after me; but Saddlebank and the coachman were driving at a great rate over the dark slope.
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