The scene of the combat between the rivals was a tree-enclosed patch of ground back of Hal Church's barn, beside the cattle run, and as the hour of five approached forms of boys could be seen seeking the spot cautiously, dodging out of sight at every sound.
Then followed a silence, broken now and again by subdued exclamations, and finally the appearance of Fred and Buttons from between the trees, showing that the fight was at an end.
"Why are we going this way?" asked Fred, as his chum led him along the cattle run. "It looks as if I were afraid to be seen."
"Well, you're not exactly a fit exhibit for a beauty show," grinned his chum, and then he suddenly gave three whistles, which were followed immediately by the appearance of two girls from behind the bars at the end of the cattle run.
"What in the world?" began Fred, then, recognizing the figures, he exclaimed: "Why, it's Marg and Grace!"
"My, but you're the fine little guesser," chuckled Buttons. "Who did you think they were, Alice and Mary Montgomery?"
His chum's sarcasm was lost on Fred, however, as, thinking only of the position of the girls, he hastened toward them.
"Marg, you mustn't stay here! You never should have come!" he cried.
"But, I couldn't help it, Fred. I was so worried. Are you—did you—oh! You're all blood! Did that big brute of a Bart get the best of you?"
The look that he read in the girl's eyes was so delightful to the conflict-stained boy that he forgot all else and simply drank it in.