Indeed, when we were about to start, Bates looked very like deserting straight away.
"Oh, you three go on," he said, "I'll catch you up; I just want to speak to Jenny." "No we don't," we all protested; "we'll wait here, if it takes you till midnight to say what you've got to say to Jenny." This valiant determination put an end to Bates's wavering, and with a rueful face he joined us.
"Now, mind," said Rasper, "the first you see!" "Well," exclaimed I, starting suddenly to run, "that's Cad Prog, the butcher-boy, there; come along." So it was! Of all our enemies Cad Prog was the most truculent, and most feared.

The sight of his red head coming round the corner was always enough to strike panic into a score of youngsters, and even we bigger boys always looked meek when Prog came out to defy us.
He was strolling guilelessly along, and didn't see us at first.

Then suddenly he caught sight of us approaching, and next moment the blue apron and red head disappeared with a bolt round the corner.
"Come on!" shouted Rasper, who led.
"So we are!" cried we, and hue and cry was made for Cad Prog forthwith.
We sighted him as we turned the corner.

He was making straight for the market.

Perhaps to get an axe, I thought, or to hide, or to tell my uncle! "Come on!" was the shout.
It's wonderful how a short sharp chase warms up the blood even of a small boy of twelve.