“You bet you won’t—not unless you want a big licking,” cried Pepper.
“Mum’s the word on this, remember that, everybody,” cried Andy.
“Remember it—or take the consequences,” came from Stuffer.
While the others were talking Jack had shed his cadet jacket and his cap and thrown them on a nearby bench. He faced Ritter so determinedly that the bully backed away several steps.
“I want you to know——” began Ritter.
“Get ready, if you are going to,” returned the young major. And then as Ritter put up his fists and stuck out his chin he leaped forward and caught the bully by one wrist. The grip was like that of steel and he whirled the fellow around bodily.
“Take that!” roared Ritter and struck out wildly. Jack dodged the blow with ease.
Then, with the quickness of lightning, the young major “sailed into” his opponent. He hit Ritter a sharp blow in the right cheek and followed this up by one on the nose. Then the pair clinched, and he got the bully’s head under his arm and poked Ritter a hard one in the eye and a heavy one in the mouth that loosened several teeth.
“Le—let me g—g—go!” spluttered the bully.
“I’ll let you go when I am done with you!” returned Jack. “I am going to teach you a lesson you won’t forget in a hurry.”