“Oh, you needn’t try to crawl out of it,” went on the bully in a loud tone, while a crowd began to collect.
“I am not crawling out of anything.”
“Maybe you’d like me to give you a good licking, eh?” went on Baxter, working himself up into a rage.
“I have no desire to fight. But if you——”
“Bah! Take that!” cried the bully, and without warning hit Pepper a stinging blow on the chin. The Imp was not prepared for the attack and went flat on his back on the grass.
“For shame, Baxter!” cried Harry Blossom, who had just come up. “That wasn’t fair at all!”
“You keep your oar out!” snarled the bully. “I know what I am doing.”
Slowly Pepper rose to his feet, a good deal dazed.
“Have you had enough?” demanded the bully, striding up with clenched fists.
“Do you call that fighting fair?” asked Pepper, slowly.