“You think you’re smart to hit me with a soaker,” he said harshly. “For two pins I’d knock you down.”
Jack was angry, too, and without answering he took two pins from his coat lapel and held them out.
“Do you mean that?” blustered the bully. He had not expected to have his challenge accepted thus quickly.
“I do,” was Jack’s cool answer. “You are itching for a thrashing, Baxter, and if you don’t shut up pretty quick you’ll get it.”
“A fight! A fight!” cried several cadets, and the news spread like wildfire that the young major was going to fight the bully of Putnam Hall.
“Baxter is too heavy for Major Ruddy,” said one.
“Jack will be knocked out clean and clear.”
“I don’t know about that. Jack can do some pretty good bag-punching,” said another, which was true.
“Don’t fight here, Jack,” whispered Dale, who was present. “You are sure to be found out, and then there will be a big row. Baxter wouldn’t like anything better than to see you lose your majorship.”
“But I am not going to take his insults, Dale,” returned Jack.