"Then let go of the young lady's wrist, for you'll need both hands up in front of you," warned Hal, springing forward, his hot blood flushing his face with righteous anger.
"Get out, ye tin-soldier militiaman!"
"If it makes any difference," retorted Hal, "we happen to be regulars."
"No difference at all," the young brute leered. "I eat both kinds!"
"Let go that young lady's wrist!"
"Sure!"
Bill did so, and the girl shrank back through the pressing crowd. But Bill aimed a crushing blow at Corporal Hal Overton.
Hal wasn't just on the spot to receive it. But the next instant he and Bill were exchanging hard blows at a rate that made the crowd yell with delight.
"Go it, Bill! Go it, buttons!"
Bill's tough friend reached out to hit Hal from the side. Corporal Noll jumped in, throwing up the fellow's arm. There were two real fights on now.