“What would you do?”
“I’ll agree to give you a handsome thrashing.”
“You can’t do it! Why, I can wallop any squealer that ever——”
“You’re a big stiff!” declared Chester. “You do not dare walk down behind the cedars.”
Immediately Crauthers started for the cedars, a little grove that stood within sight of the academy. Behind this grove, hidden from view of any one in or about the academy, many a fight had taken place. It was a favorite place for cadets to settle their differences when they had not time to get farther away.
“Come on—if you dare!” growled Crauthers.
“I’ll be right along,” promised Chester.
Five minutes later the two, who had seemed on friendly terms up to that day, met behind the cedars. Chester pulled off his coat and placed it on the ground, dropping his cap upon it. Then he sailed into Crauthers.
Three or four cadets had discovered that something was going to happen behind the cedars, and they were on hand to witness the encounter.
Arlington had taken boxing-lessons, and he was really skilful. True, he had found his skill outmatched by that of Dick Merriwell in a personal encounter, but now it did not take him long to demonstrate that he was Crauthers’ superior, and in less than ten minutes he had the fellow whipped to a finish.