Half past five
`` I 'll keep my resolution ! '' said he , stamping his foot upon the ground to emphasize his determination . `` I 'll stand out against the whole of them . '' Half past five came , and nearly every boy in the school had gone to the appointed place . Richard sat on the bench at the foot of the flagstaff on the parade ground , thinking whether his duty required him to do any thing more than simply refuse to join the mutiny . Somehow , it entered into his head that it was his duty to prevent the rebellion if he could . It even occurred to him that he ought to inform Colonel Brockridge of the intention of the students , and thus place himself on the side of law and order ; but he rejected this suggestion , it was so utterly repugnant to his nature .