Hal commenced to struggle. Seeing this, Hardwick tried to strike him with the ruler, which, on account of its brass-bound edge, was an ugly weapon. The ruler came down twice, the second time cutting a gash on the youth's neck, from which the blood flowed copiously.
This last blow aroused all the lion in Hal's nature. As the reader knows, he was a well-built boy, and strong for his age. He gave a sudden wrench and broke away.
"Stand back!" he cried. "Don't you dare to touch me again!"
Hardwick glanced toward the door, to see that no one was coming.
"I'll show you!" he hissed, passionately.
He rushed at Hal again. The youth saw him coming, and, drawing back his arm, he planted a blow on Hardwick's nose that sent the blood spurting in all directions.
Hardwick was more surprised than hurt. Had that poor house chap dared to hit him? He turned first red and then white.
"I'll fix you!" he cried.
"Stand back, I tell you!" commanded Hal; he was getting excited himself.
But Hardwick would not stand back, and, as a consequence, he received a blow on the forehead that almost stunned him.