“Ain't you going to do it alone?” queried Nick Sammel, in wonder, not unmingled with a suspicion that Joe would not be as easy to handle as anticipated.
“I—I've got a—a heartburn,” came lamely from Sagger. “It come on me all at onct. If it wasn't fer that I'd do him up all alone.”
“You're a fraud, and you haven't any heart-burn!” cried Joe. “You're afraid, that's all. If you want to fight, stand up, and we'll have it out.”
“Don't you call me afraid,” said Sagger, but his voice had lost much of its bullying tone.
“You're a big coward, Jack Sagger. After this I want you to leave me alone.”
“Ain't you fellers going to pitch in?” demanded Sagger, turning to his cohorts.
“The first boy to hit me will get paid back with interest,” said Joe, sharply. “I don't like to fight but I can do it if I have to.”
One or two had edged forward but when they saw his determined air they slunk back.
“Go on and fight him, Jack,” said one. “This is your mix-up, not ours.”
“You said you was going to do him up brown,” put in another.