"I won't!" said John, sturdily.
The horse continued to back, until Ben, who was a coward at heart, becoming alarmed, slid off from his back.
"That's right," said John, coolly. "Another time you'd better not meddle with my horse."
"I'll meddle with you, and teach you better manners!" exclaimed Ben, a red spot glowing in each of his pale cheeks.
As he spoke, he struck John smartly over the shoulders with the small riding-whip he carried.
John was not quarrelsome. I am glad to bear this testimony to his character, for I have a very poor opinion of quarrelsome boys; but he had a spirit of his own, and was not disposed to submit tamely to a blow. He turned upon Ben instantly, and, snatching the whip from his hand, struck him two blows in return for the one he had received.
"I generally pay my debts with interest, Ben Brayton," he said, coolly. "You ought to have thought of that before you struck me."
A look of fierce vindictiveness swept over the olive face of his adversary as he advanced for another contest.
"Stand back there!" exclaimed John, flourishing the whip in a threatening manner. "I've paid you up, and I don't want to strike you again."
"I'll make you smart for your impudence!" fumed Ben, trying to get near enough to seize the whip from his hands.