“I am not,” he said calmly. “I wish to stick up for the lad, that is all. Leave him alone and I won’t bother you.”
“Supposing I don’t choose to leave him alone?”
“Then I’ll make you, and not only that, I’ll go outside and let the crowd know just how matters stand—that you want to force him to do an act that he can’t do, and which may cause him to lose his life.”
Hardly had Leo uttered the words than, with a muttered imprecation, Porler sprang upon him and bore him to the ground.
CHAPTER XXIX.—PORLER’S MOVE.
Porler was angry enough to give Leo a good beating.
He struck at the boy as he sent him down to the ground, but the young gymnast avoided the blow.
Then Leo let out, and Porler received a blow on the nose.
This brought blood, and he grew more enraged than ever.
Like an eel Leo squirmed from his grasp, and panting the two faced each other.