There was no
time or chance to escape. Paul commanded all hands to lie down and
keep still while himself and lieutenants sat on the trap door. The house
was quickly entered by the professors. Remarks such as "They must be
here," "The fire is still burning," "See the chicken feathers," etc.,
etc. ascended to the trembling urchins above.
"Is there no loft or upper story?" said one finally.
"I don't think so," responded another; "There is no means of getting up
there. They have all left. Here is their trail in the snow leading to
the woods."
All would have been well with the "Wild Geese" had not the unlucky
Stockie at this moment, given a loud sneeze. At which some of the
minor members of the company giggled. The chief looked sternly at the
culprit. He saw Stockie about to repeat the involuntary sneeze and
grabbed him by the nose and throat. Too late! The noise had been heard
below and the imperative command was given to "come down." Slowly the
trap-door was opened and the ladder descended. Then a scuffle ensued to
see who would go down last. The consequence was that two or three of the
Geese went down at the same time. Slowly and sorrowfully the prisoners
marched to the college where to add to their misery they beheld the
faces of the smiling and triumphant "Wild Hens.
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