The general opinion was that the policeman had met his match at last in Tempest; and the more enthusiastic of us tried to express our feelings in words. But Tempest was by no means inclined to discuss the situation. "Shut up," he replied angrily, when I ventured to applaud his courage. "Cut back to school at once, and don't speak to me." This was a blow to some of the party, who had calculated on a general revolt, to be headed by the rock of Sharpe's house in person, and celebrated by general orgies on the spot. "I sha'n't do my lines, shall you?" said Dicky, as we trotted down to the boats. "Rather not. And I don't think our chaps will turn up for extra drill." "Just like old Tempest," said Brown. "He enjoys a row of this kind." "He didn't look as if he did," remarked I. "Perhaps that was because such a lot of day chaps are mixed up in it." Brown looked a little glum at this. "He needn't bother about us unless he likes," said he. "We can take care of ourselves, I fancy." Luckily at this stage we reached the boats, and further discussion was interrupted. The voyage home was comparatively uneventful. It was of course enlivened by a desultory race with the Urbans all the way, in which, I regret to say, Mr Jorrocks's boats received a few scratches, owing to the desire of each boat to take the water of its opponent before it was clear ahead. The town-boys unrighteously claimed in the end to have won by a quarter of a length, but as in passing our leader they had pulled away one of our bow oars and further turned the nose of the _Sarah_ into the bank, we stoutly resisted their claim, and a very lively argument ensued, in which Mr Jorrocks lost a good deal of varnish, and most of the combatants became rather wet. However, we were back in school within half an hour of embarking, which on the whole was not a bad record. Curiosity to know what Tempest would do prevented us from so much as thinking of our "lines." I took an early opportunity of presenting myself in Pridgin's study, feeling sure I should be likely to hear something of the matter there. As it happened, Tempest and Wales were there too, in deep confabulation. "Look here, old chap," Pridgin was saying, "don't spoil your term for a parcel of yelping young puppies like this kid here and his lot. They're not worth it." "For all that," said Wales, "it's a question of whether the cock of a house is to be allowed his rights or not." "It's more a question whether Jarman is to be allowed his rights," said Tempest. "I quite agree that these young muffs are a nuisance, and it's all the more aggravating to be dragged into a mess by them. But he'd no right to interfere." "Strictly speaking, I suppose he was right," said Pridgin. "There is a rule about juniors being in by 6:30; although every one knows half an hour's grace is given on half-holidays. And I suppose he's right about the fireworks." "You think I ought to cave in?" asked Tempest.