“I guess you need a lesson,” he growled. “You’re gettin’ too all-fired smart around this town, for a pauper.”
Billy went white.
“I’d sooner be a pauper than the son of a crook,” he snapped. “And I’d sooner be the son of a crook, than a crook myself, Bully!”
A murmur of applause went up from the crowd. It was cut short by a roar from the big fellow.
“Call me a crook, will you!”
With a quick lunge forward, he aimed a vicious blow at Billy Mac. The backstop did not appreciate the compliment, however.
Catching the blow on his arm, he took a quick step in, and there was a dull smack. Bully went staggering back.
“Yah!” chirruped Chub, in great glee. “I tol-l-ld you! L-l-lam him again!”
The big fellow hesitated, with a surprised expression on his face. Evidently concluding that an accident had happened, he rushed at Billy with a shout.
“Here’s where you get yours, smart alec!”