abhorred by God and scorned by man; and her teaching had not been in
vain. The child would have suffered any punishment rather than have told
a deliberate lie. He looked straight in the master's face and said, "Yes,
sir, I did it."

"Very well, go to your seat, and remain in school during the play-hour."

With a heavy heart Martin obeyed; and soon after the school was
dismissed.

"I say, Rattler," whispered Bob Croaker, as he passed, "I'm going to
teach your white kitten to swim just now. Won't you come and see it?"

The malicious laugh with which the boy accompanied this remark convinced
Martin that he intended to put his threat in execution. For a moment he
thought of rushing out after him to protect his pet kitten; but a glance
at the stern brow of the master, as he sat at his desk reading,
restrained him; so, crushing down his feelings of mingled fear and anger,
he endeavoured to while away the time by watching the boys as they played
in the fields before the windows of the school.




CHAPTER III

THE GREAT FIGHT


"Martin!" said the school-master, in a severe tone, looking up from the