Then they turned again towards the path from the river, and waited with grim purpose.
The news announced by Parson and confirmed by the black looks of the injured crew had fallen like a thunderbolt, and for the moment Willoughby was stunned.

The boys could not--would not--believe that one of their number could be guilty of such an act.

And yet, how could they disbelieve it?
In a few minutes there was a cry of "Here they are!" and at the same moment the schoolhouse crew appeared on the walk.

They, victors though they were, looked troubled and dispirited as they approached, talking eagerly among themselves, and unconcerned apparently about the crowd which in ominous silence awaited them.
They certainly did not look like guilty persons, and it is most probable not even the wildest libeller in Willoughby would have cared positively to charge any one of them with the dishonourable deed.
But for all that, they had won in consequence of that deed, and that was quite sufficient to set three-fourths of the crowd against them.
As they came up a loud groan and cries of "Cheats! Foul play!" suddenly arose.

Startled by the unexpected demonstration, the five heroes looked up with flushed faces.
"Cheats! Cowards!" reiterated the hostile section, beginning at the same time to surge towards them.
Foremost among these was Tucker of Welch's house and Wibberly of Parrett's, who, as the crowd behind pressed forward, were carried with their abusive taunts on their lips into the midst of the schoolhouse group.