There the bushes and bramble thickets again gave them much trouble, but they contrived to get through into the wildest-looking field they had over seen. It was covered with hawthorn-trees, bunches of thistles, bramble bushes, rushes, and numbers of green ant-hills, almost as high as their knees. Skirting this, as they wound in and out the ant-hills, they startled some peewits, which rose with their curious whistle, and two or three white tails, which they knew to be rabbits, disappeared round the thistles. It took them some time to cross this field; the next was barley, very short; the next wheat, and then clover; and at last they reached the head of the water, and got into the meadows. Thence it was only a short way home, and they could see the house illuminated by the moonlight. The authorities were wroth, though secretly glad to see them. Nothing was said; the wrath was too deep for reproaches. They were ordered to bed that instant. They did not dare disobey, but Mark darted a savage look, and Bevis shouted back from the top of the staircase that he was hungry. “Be off, sir,” was the only reply. Sullenly they went into their room and sat down. Five minutes afterwards some one opened the door a little way, put in a plate and a jug, and went away. On the plate were three huge slices of bread, and in the jug cold water. “I won’t touch it,” said Bevis; “it’s hateful.” “It’s hateful,” said Mark. “After we came home to tell them, too,” said Bevis. “Horrid!” But by-and-by his hunger overcame him; he ate two of the huge slices, and Mark the other. Then after a draught of the cold water, they undressed, and fell asleep, quick and calm, just as Aurora was beginning to show her white foot in the East. Volume Two, Chapter V. IN DISGRACE--VISIT TO JACK’S. “As if we were dogs,” said Bevis indignantly. “Just as if,” said Mark. “It’s hateful. And after coming home from the island to tell them.” “All that trouble.” “I could have brought you some stuff to eat,” said Mark, “and we could have stopped there all night, quite jolly.” “Hateful!” They were in the blue-painted summer-house the next day talking over the conduct of the authorities, whose manner was distant in the extreme. The governor was very angry. They thought it unjust after winning such a mighty victory, and actually coming home on purpose to save alarm. “I do not like it at all,” said Bevis. “Let’s go back to the island,” said Mark eagerly. “They would come and look there for us the first thing,” said Bevis. “I’ve a great mind to walk to Southampton, and see the ships. It’s only sixty miles.” “Well, come on,” said Mark, quite ready, “The road goes over the hills by Jack’s. O! I know!” “What is it?” for Mark had jumped up. “Jack’s got a rifle,” said Mark. “He’ll let us shoot. Let’s go and stop with Jack.” “First-rate,” said Bevis. “But how do you know he has a rifle? There wasn’t one when I was there last--you mean the long gun.”