“No necessity for that,” remarked Rob. The only answer was another volley of profanity.
“Here, take this coat,” said Rob, turning to Tubby, and, slipping out of the garment, “I’ve got to give this fellow a lesson. Next to smoking cigarettes, the worst habit a boy can get into is using bad language.”
“Oh, it is, is it? You puling, Sunday-school scholar, take that!”
Hunt crouched, and, suddenly becoming erect, aimed a terrific blow at Rob’s head. But, to his surprise, his fist encountered thin air. The next instant, however, something struck him under the chin that felt like a battering-ram. Hunt shook his head and staggered a little.
“Had enough?” inquired Rob. “I’m ready to quit if you are.”
Hunt’s answer was a perfect bellow of anger. In the city he had been the bully of his neighborhood. He had expected to occupy the same desirable position at Hampton, but, alas for him, he had been speedily disillusioned.
He charged at Rob, and this time managed to get in a powerful blow on the ribs of the Eagle Patrol leader. It made Rob gasp for an instant, but before Hunt could launch another, Rob countered, ducked, and, rising suddenly under Hunt’s guard, like a steel-springed Jack-in-the-box, he gave the fellow a swift lesson in boxing. Hunt was staggering about, but still vicious and unconquered, when two figures suddenly crept through the hedge and landed in the road. They were both rough-looking youths, and as well as could be seen in the gloom, were about the same age, or possibly a little older, than any of the lads in the road.
But the sight of them brought a shout to Rob’s lips. His exclamation of astonishment was speedily echoed by Merritt and Tubby Hopkins.
In the gathering gloom he had recognized the newcomers as Jack Curtiss and Bill Bender. They, on their part, were equally quick in recalling the boys of the Eagle Patrol. Jack Curtiss had a thick stick, a sort of club, in his hand. He raised it threateningly, and made at Rob with it.
“I’ll fix you,” he exclaimed, pretending virtuous indignation, “you’re at your old tricks of bullying and plug-uglying again, are you?”