The speech was an unfortunate one, for in giving it the trouble-maker had raised his head and carelessly lowered his arms a bit. Most of the blows so far had been body blows, both boys keeping their faces well sheltered, but as Plum spoke Ted jabbed a blow at him which Plum was unable to guard against. It landed with a resounding smack against his cheek bone and his head jarred. As he hesitated in surprise Ted hooked one into his ribs.
By this time Plum was on guard again and stung to fury he waded in while Ted retreated. Around the ring they went, Plum making a furious attack which was beginning to break down Ted’s guard. Just then Buck called time and Ted stepped back.
Plum turned to Buck, his eyes furious and his face red. “I don’t care a hang about time!” he shouted. “I didn’t want to make this a boxing match, anyway, and I won’t make it one! I’m going to show Thorn that he can’t boss me and tell me he’ll thrash me and that’s what I’m going to do. Come on, you, put up your hands!”
“Nothing doing!” snapped Buck, leaping into the circle and thrusting himself in between them. “You’re going to run this according to rules!”
“Like fun I am! You get out of the way or I’ll take you on!”
“With the greatest of pleasure!” promptly cried Buck, squaring off.
“I’d just as soon give it to you as to him!” yelled Plum. This was a well calculated piece of acting, and the boys who stood for Plum felt him rise heroically in their eyes.
Ted pushed Buck to one side. “This is my fight, Buck, old man. Put your watch away, because this is a fight to the finish!”
Buck reluctantly allowed himself to be pushed out of the ring, at the same time pushing his watch back in his pocket. Then Ted advanced determinedly on Plum and the latter began a crouching advance on him. There was now no more boxing and no more dodging around. Plum was tired and his breath came heavily, while Ted was filled with quiet, steady purpose. He felt that there was but one thing to do, and that was to wade in and finish up the other boy as rapidly as possible. When they came together with a shock there was no more boxing and feinting, but they stormed in close and exchanged punches with determination.
Here Ted found that he was equal at least of the other and they traded some jarring punches at close range. The breath of the heavier boy was growing shorter, while Ted was in no way distressed. With a mighty lunge Plum shot a stiff punch at Ted’s face, and the latter, drawing his head to one side, countered with a sharp one to Plum’s ribs. Plum grunted, turned, and Ted found his jaw unguarded for an instant. He found it a moment later with his left fist, and as Plum staggered Ted bored in for the finish.