"None of your lip now," growled Buck, as he clenched his fist.
"I'm going to have the fun of doing it myself."
With one spring Bob vaulted over the low fence.
"You've got another guess coming, Buck Looker," he said coolly.
The bully started back in surprise and consternation, which was not diminished when Joe followed his friend's example and stood at his side.
"What are you butting in for?" Buck snapped, as soon as he recovered his breath.
"Because I choose to," answered Bob. "Because I won't stand by and see you hit a fellow half your size. If it's fighting you're looking for, I'll give you all the fighting you want right here and now. If your gang want to mix in, Joe will take care of Lutz and Jimmy can look after Mooney. But I'll take you on myself. How about it? Is it a go?"
He advanced on Buck, and before his flashing eyes those of the bully wavered and fell.
"I—I'll settle with you some other time," he stammered, retreating toward the middle of the street.
"No time like the present," challenged Bob, but as Buck, muttering threats, still continued to retreat, while his cronies slunk away with him, Bob gave a little laugh and came back to his friends.
"All right, Jimmy," he chuckled. "I guess your face won't be changed to-night. Buck seems to have changed his mind."