Ted was following at his best pace.

'After them!' cried the master. 'Two whole days' holiday for you if you
run them down.'

The pursuit was taken up cheerfully enough, but it was quite hopeless.
The breakaways were heading for the line of bush, and the sapling scrub
along the creek was so thick that the boys would have been perfectly
secure under its cover, even if the pursuers were not in hearty sympathy
with the pursued, and the pursuit were not a miserable and perfidious
pretence.

Mr. Ham, recognising after a few minutes how matters really stood,
returned to the school. His approach had been signalled by a scout at one
of the windows, and he found the classes all in order and suspiciously
industrious, and Jacker McKnight still sitting with his head sunk upon
his arms--a monument of sturdy resentment.

'My boys,' said the master, looking ludicrously piebald after his ink
bath, 'before resuming duties I wish to draw your attention to the crass
foolishness of which our young friends Haddon and McKnight are guilty.
You perceive that their action is not diplomatic, eh?'

'Ye--yes, sir,' piped a dubious voice here and there.

'To be sure. Had they remained they would have been caned; as they have
run away, they will receive a double dose and certain extra pains and
penalties, and meanwhile they suffer the poignant pangs of anticipation.
Anticipation, Jacker, my boy, the smart of future punishments, is the
true hell-flame.'