With a shout of triumph, they started off at full speed, dragging the brute by the neck through the street.

Alec essayed to follow them; but found his leg too painful; and was forced to go limping home.
When the victors had run till they were out of breath, they stopped to confer; and the result of their conference was that in solemn silence they drew her home to the back gate, and finding all still in the yard, deputed two of their company to lay the dead body in its kennel.
Curly and Linkum drew her into the yard, tumbled her into her barrel, which they set up on end, undid the string, and left Juno lying neck and tail together in ignominious peace.
"Before Alec reached home his leg had swollen very much, and was so painful that he could hardly limp along; for Juno had taken no passing snap, but a great strong mouthful.

He concealed his condition from his mother for that night; but next morning his leg was so bad, that there was no longer a possibility of hiding the fact.

To tell a lie would have been so hard for Alec, that he had scarcely any merit in not telling one.

So there was nothing for it but confession.