The trees were situated in various positions about the yard, so that Marco could neither go in at the front door of the office, nor climb in at the window, without being discovered.

He did not know what to do.
In the mean time, the boys urged him to go with them.

They did not know any thing about his studies, and supposed that his hesitation was only owing to his want of interest in the object of the expedition.
Finally, Marco concluded to go.

He supposed that he should not be able to get back into his study till noon, as he recollected that his uncle expected to be employed all the forenoon about his pruning.
He thought, therefore, that his chance of detection would not be increased by staying out an hour or two longer, and so he told the boys that he would go.
When they had procured sufficient bait, they went toward the river.
Their way led them not very far from the house, and they were several times in situations where they were exposed to view, in case Marco's uncle had looked toward them.

Marco, however, contrived to walk by these places in such a manner as to cover himself as much as possible from view by the other boys; and besides, he hoped that his uncle was too much occupied with his pruning, to notice what boys were prowling about the village.