"Too bad! I hope you didn't hurt yourself," teased Hal sweetly, whirling about like a flash.
Hooper was up with an oath, wind-milling his big arms.
"Take that!" he roared, aiming a heavy blow straight at Hal's chest.
"Against the rules of my dancing master!" mimicked Hal, bounding to the left. As he did so he let his right fist drop on the point of Hooper's chin.
"Ugh!" grunted the bully.
"Spit it out, if it got in your mouth," advised Hal unconcernedly, as he again faced his antagonist.
From the way he dodged the next six or eight assaults it did look as though Hal had spoken the truth when he stated that he had learned his style of fighting from a dancing master. For the nimble rookie never did seem to be just where Bill Hooper looked for him when landing blows.
"Take your partners!" mocked Hal Overton, as he darted past again. This time, however, he landed a very hot and powerful blow right against Hooper's right eye.
Now cautious cries of approval went up from the other men crowding about. All of the men were careful not to make much noise, through fear of bringing interference.
A minute later Hooper received such a stinging blow on the nose that it brought a little trickle of red.