But in this he had reckoned altogether without his host. Rob cleverly dodged Jared’s savage swings, and, watching his opportunity, countered with amazing swiftness. None of the onlookers saw the blow, but they heard the sharp crack of Rob’s knuckles on Jared’s jaw. As for Jared, he beheld a swimming galaxy of brilliant constellations.
Rob saw that he was dazed for an instant and dropped his hands to his side.
“We’ll stop right here if you like, Jared,” he said.
“Not much you won’t,” shouted Jared, shaking his head, “I’ve only begun.”
“Well, don’t keep on the way you’re going,” laughed Merritt cheerfully. Jared’s friends began to look rather gloomy. In their hearts both Max Ramsay and Hodge Berry felt heartily glad that they hadn’t tackled the Boy Scout.
Once more Jared rushed in on Rob. A second later his nose stopped a solid blow straight from the shoulder. It felt to Jared as if he had inadvertently collided with the rock of Gibraltar.
“Ouch!” he yelled in spite of himself.
Then, losing his head completely, he rushed at Rob and seized him in a wrestling grip. Rob, caught off his guard, lost his feet and the two toppled to the ground, going at it in rough-and-tumble fashion.
“Magnificent, but not war!” cried Merritt as he danced about.
Over and over they rolled, Jared managing in this style of battling to get in some heavy blows that caused Rob to gasp. But in a short time Rob had Jared fairly howling for mercy.