The Dozen from Lakerim

m over the only restaurant in the village. This feast had been intended as a grand finale to the season of hazing, and it was to be paid for by the poor wretches who had been given the pleasure of

ad hurt the feelings of the Crows very badly, and

e held, he came rushing into Tug's room, where the Dozen had gathered Saturday

t it! I've got it!" with such zeal that Sleepy, who was taking a little doze in a t

ith one of his eternal school

rchimeter jumped out of his bath-tub an

ady sh

own History's mouth until we lea

that's got Quiz

set up, Quiz, who had run several bloc

e going to ha

he couch and proceeded to

a look around as if they thought that either Quiz was out o

what

added sarc

day to-morrow if

d opening his eyes; then it was his turn t

numskulls, don't you see it's just

ould go down and eat the banquet for 'em?" queried Sleepy, whose

What I had in my mind was doing what they do in the big colleges sometim

ed; and they jumped to their feet and indulged

llification, Tug, who objected

the whole kit an

they all stopped suddenly, and Quiz express

re we goin

long and serious debate, the result of whic

day night at night o'clock, and the Dozen

ng. In this cupola there was a loft of good size; it was reached by a heavy ladder, which could be removed with some difficulty. Under the chapel there was a large cellar, which seemed never to have been used for any particular purpose, though it was divided into a number of compartments separated by the stone walls of

spend Saturday and Sunday with their parents. This reduced the number to eighteen. Friday evening a number of the Crows appeared at the "Slaughterhouse," though there was to be a banquet at eight o'clock. With true boyhood appeti

earned his board by waiting on the table. He had an excellent chance, th

at the Gymnasium a

esteront

this con

f the notes these

ymnasium at a 1/4 to 7

ere s

heir number, and did not recognize that the notes were of History'

without attracting attention. Sawed-Off, who had the keys of the building, then pos

e "cummitty" came in a body, and finding the door of the gymnasium

's t

gave th

belong to

they answe

tween his two escorts he stumbled along through the dark, until suddenly the door was heard to close, and the key to snap in the lock; then immediately his mouth was covered with a boxing-glove

n soon had the half-dozen securely gagged and fettered. Then they were toted like meal-bags up the stairs of the chapel, and on up and up into the loft, and into the bell-tower. There they were laid out on the floor, and their angry eyes discovered that they were

p to this time in being punctual; but he was very much discouraged in this excellent habit by the reception he got at the gymnasium. For, on saying, in answer to the voic

ones and twos, every few minutes between seven and half-past. In this way eleven more of the Crows were taken in. These were bundled down into the dark

Manus. Six had left town, six were stowed aloft in the cupola, and eleven were, as B.J., the sailor, expressed it, "below hatches

in preparing a speech to deliver at the banquet; and his task was very difficult, since he had to make a great splurge a

e scheme to decoy him from his room, because any attempt to drag him

hrew pebbles against his window. The chief Crow soon stuck his head out and peered down into the dark, asking what was the matter. A voice that he d

cket the notes for his address at the banquet, and flying to the rescue of the captive banqueters. As soon as he stepped out of the

less, but that was not according to the Lakerim code. Another idea, however, which was quite as cruel, but had t

you what,

e reunited seve

of 'em, let's take him along and make him

' himself, you mean

mmon the Twins. The knots with which the "cummitty" were tied were carefully looked to and strengthened, and then the Lakerimmers withdrew from the cupola, taking the lantern with them, dragging a heavy trap-door over their heads as they descended the ladder, an

e heavy vaulting-horse. Reddy and Heady were in favor also of blocking up the narrow little windows set high in the walls of the cellar, well over the head of the tallest of the Crows; but Tug said that these windows

e other side hasn't even a chance," said Tug; a