"I can't!" bellowed Ike, spitting out a tooth--"he's cracked my jaw. He had a spike in his hand!"
"Foul, eh!" scowled the big fellow, hunching towards Ralph.
The young railroader with a contemptuous smile extended both free palms. He shut them quickly together again, however, for he saw that Slump's crowd did not know the meaning of either honor or fairness.
So determined and ready did he look that the big fellow hesitated. Ralph heard him give some directions to his companions, and the crowd moved forward in unison.
"A rush, eh?" he said. "You're a fine bunch! but--come on."
Ralph's spirit was now fully aroused. He had no ambition to shine as a pugilist, but he would always fight for his rights.
The big fellow dashed at him, calling to his companions. Ralph shot out his right fist as quick as lightning. The blow went home, and the big bully blinked, spluttered, and reeled aside with his nose flattened.
Two of his companions sprang at Ralph, one on each side. Ralph caught one by the throat, the other by the waistband. They were hitting away at him, but he knew how to dodge. To and fro they wrestled, Ralph knocking them together whenever he could, never letting go, and using them as a shield against the big fellow, who, as mad as a hornet and with a reckless look in his eye, had resumed the attack.
Suddenly the latter managed to dodge behind Ralph, put out his foot, tripped him, and the trio fell to the ground.
Ralph held on to his first assailants, struggling to a sitting position.