So he went on his errand, and we know what success he met with.
CHAPTER XII. THE IMPENDING CONFLICT.
Jim Smith stood leaning indolently against a post, when his emissary, Bates, returned from his errand. He was experiencing “that stern joy” which bullies feel just before an encounter with a foeman inferior in strength, whom they expect easily to master. Several of the boys were near by—sycophantic followers of Jim, who were enjoying in advance the rumpus they expected. I am afraid schoolboys do not always sympathize with the weaker side. In the present instance, there was hardly a boy who had not at some time or other felt the weight of Jim’s fist, and, as there is an old saying that “misery loves company,” it was not, perhaps, a matter of wonder that they looked forward with interest to seeing another suffer the same ill-treatment which they had on former occasions received!
Presently Bates came back.
Jim looked over his head for the boy whom he expected to see in his company.
“Where’s the new boy?” he demanded, with a frown.
“He won’t come.”
“Won’t come?” repeated Jim, with an ominous frown. “Did you tell him I wanted him?”
“Yes, I did.”