.

Preparation.
The week following the important consultation described in the last chapter was one of serious excitement to at least seven boys at Swishford.
Other fellows could not make out what was the matter, and as long as Bowler did not shirk the football match, and Gayford stuck up as usual for his house, they did not particularly care.

It was certainly a novelty to see Braintree diligently reading a book in his odd moments, but when it transpired that the book was _Wobinson Cwusoe_, that wonder ceased.

And even the surprise of seeing Crashford the lion lying down, so to speak, with Tubbs the lamb, wore away in time, and the conspirators were, on the whole, left undisturbed by Swishford to develop their plans for the eventful emigration of the coming spring.
The three last elected members of the band had fallen in promptly with the scheme, and were not a little elated at the honour conferred upon them.

Crashford became quite mellow towards his old enemy Gayford, and actually paid back Bowler a half-crown which he had borrowed three terms ago.