"Dreadful fine clothes you have got; oh, dear!" smirked Sammy. "We are dressed for the ball, we are!"
"Let me pass," demanded Robert, and tried to go around the bully, who suddenly pushed him, and tried to trip him in the dust of the road.
But for once Sammy Gump had reckoned without his host, for although he sent Robert staggering several yards, our hero did not fall.
Gump expected Robert to beat a retreat, and was taken aback when the boy came forward with clenched fists.
"What do you mean by treating me like that?" demanded Robert.
"Oh, go along with you!" howled the bully. "If you don't like it, do the other thing."
"You are mighty impudent about it."
"Am I?" sneered Sammy. "Say, Yankee, how do you like that?"
And he slapped Robert on the cheek.
If our hero was surprised that instant, the bully was more surprised the instant after, for hauling back, Robert let fly with his fist, and took Sammy Gump fairly and squarely in the mouth, a direct blow that landed the bully flat on his back and loosened two of his teeth.