He released the tick and put him on the long flat desk.

The creature probably glowed with a gratitude that amounted to prayer, too, at this moment, but it was premature: for when he started thankfully to travel off, Tom turned him aside with a pin and made him take a new direction.
Tom's bosom friend sat next him, suffering just as Tom had been, and now he was deeply and gratefully interested in this entertainment in an instant.

This bosom friend was Joe Harper.

The two boys were sworn friends all the week, and embattled enemies on Saturdays.

Joe took a pin out of his lapel and began to assist in exercising the prisoner.
The sport grew in interest momently.