"The varmints got away," said Buckhart regretfully. "They stampeded into a piece of timber over yonder, and it was too dark to trail them. What was the merry old rumpus, anyhow?"
Dick explained in a few words.
"What a lovely time!" exclaimed Smart. "It must have been like a church raffle. How I should enjoy to be jumped on by three big, brawny seamen! It would be such fun to have them thump me round! Oh, dear! I’m sorry they didn’t do it to me!"
By this time, with assistance, Darrell was able to stand, but he was pretty limp.
"Well, I don’t reckon you’re going to be in shape to put up much of a fight," said Buckhart. "You’d better go back to the academy and do your fighting some other night."
"No!" grated Hal. "I’ll meet Lynch if I can get to the spot."
"But," said Dick, at once, "if he’s not in condition to fight he has agreed to let me take his place."
"Oh, my!" said Smart. "I know you’re frightened to death! How can you think of scrapping with such a perfectly lovely gent as Jabez Lynch? You are real mean, so there!"
In a short time they set off toward Bloody Hollow, which they reached in due time. But, although they waited long, and about twenty cadets gathered there to witness the fight, Jabez Lynch failed to appear.