They are almost within a stone's throw of Martin, who is pressing the unlucky chase hard, when Tom catches sight of them, and sings out, "Louts, 'ware louts, your side! Madman, look ahead!" and then catching hold of Arthur, hurries him away across the field towards Rugby as hard as they can tear.

Had he been by himself, he would have stayed to see it out with the others, but now his heart sinks and all his pluck goes.

The idea of being led up to the Doctor with Arthur for bagging fowls quite unmans and takes half the run out of him.
However, no boys are more able to take care of themselves than East and Martin; they dodge the pursuers, slip through a gap, and come pelting after Tom and Arthur, whom they catch up in no time.

The farmer and his men are making good running about a field behind.

Tom wishes to himself that they had made off in any other direction, but now they are all in for it together, and must see it out.
"You won't leave the young un, will you ?" says he, as they haul poor little Arthur, already losing wind from the fright, through the next hedge.