THE

RECTOR

AND

HIS PUPILS.

THE COTTAGE-SCENE.

SCOURHILL, Townly and Tradewell, one day, by permission of the Rector, went to angle in a stream at some distance from the Academy, and, furnished with every thing necessary for their amusement, they set out with that high flow of spirits which a school-boy only can experience.

After they had for several hours pursued their diversion with considerable success, they put up their fishing-rods, and penetrated into a glen with the intention

A

of collecting nuts. In their ramble they separated. Scourhill pushed through the bushes, while the other two kept on the outside of the wood.

The sky, which during the morning was somewhat cloudy, gradually assumed a lowering appearance, and threatened a thunder-storm; but the young men, while angling, were betrayed by their wishes, and always observed, as they cast their eyes towards the black clouds, We shall have a good day. The storm, however, was now ready to burst, and they could no longer deceive themselves. What a frightful sky! said Townly; let us return home, for it will be a dreadful night. They called their companion, but no answer was returned. Scourhill had pushed through the wood, and, perceiving the approaching storm, hallooed on his companions, and after waiting for some time, and supposing that they were gone, he hastened homeward. The two were per