Frank did not reply to this, but again started his boat for the landing place. Ned, who had shut off the engine when he saw that a collision was inevitable, started it again, and went on to the place where the Neboje was usually moored.
“You’d better take some steering lessons,” shouted Ned after Frank. “But then it’s what I’d expect of a fellow who would squeal on others about a feed, and hand the proc the key to the room.”
“Who says I did that?” cried Frank, leaping out of his boat and running to where Ned stood on the dock.
“I do!” answered Ned truculently, “and I’m ready to back it up!” He began taking off his coat, an example followed by Frank.
“You can’t fight here,” said Ted Newton, stepping in between the angry youths. “If you want to have it out, do it regularly.”
“Oh, I’ll do it!” cried Ned.
“And you’ll find me there!” added Frank with a sneer. “I’ll make you take back what you said.”
“And I’ll make you pay for damaging our boat!” retorted Ned.
The details of the fight that followed in the secluded place appointed by college custom for such affairs may be passed over. Suffice it to say that Ned and Frank were evenly matched, and each received about the same amount of punishment—black eyes being administered to both, with various cuts and bruises.