The war of independence had broken out.

Who would join the revolutionary forces?
Several others present bound themselves not to fag for the fifth form at once.

One or two only edged off, and left the rebels.

What else could they do?
"I've a good mind to go to the Doctor straight," said Tom.
"That'll never do.

Don't you remember the levy of the school last half ?" put in another.
In fact, the solemn assembly, a levy of the School, had been held, at which the captain of the School had got up, and after premising that several instances had occurred of matters having been reported to the masters; that this was against public morality and School tradition; that a levy of the sixth had been held on the subject, and they had resolved that the practice must be stopped at once; and given out that any boy, in whatever form, who should thenceforth appeal to a master, without having first gone to some prepostor and laid the case before him, should be thrashed publicly, and sent to Coventry.
"Well, then, let's try the sixth.