Tom did as requested, and James rushed at John with an impetuosity born of anger. John prepared to defend himself. The boys were soon grappling, trying to trip each other up. Neither knew much of the science of fighting, and victory naturally came to the stronger. In about two minutes John was on his back, with James kneeling over him, aiming blows at his face.
"I told you I'd give you a licking," said James, closing his teeth, firmly.
"Oh, let him off, James," said Tom. "This ought to satisfy you."
"But it doesn't. I'm going to give him a lesson he'll remember all his life."
James undertook to belabor his fallen opponent, but he had been so preoccupied that he did not notice a boy running towards the scene of conflict, neither did Tom, who had his back turned.
Luckily for John, Mark Manning was on his way to call upon the hermit, when he became an indignant witness of James's brutality. He said nothing, but fairly flew across the pasture till he reached the battle-field. The first intimation James had of his presence was a vigorous grasp of his coat collar, and in an instant he was lying on his back close to his late victim, with Mark standing over him.
"I'm ashamed of you, James Collins," he said, sternly. "You're a contemptible coward to attack a smaller boy like Johnny."
"Knock him over, Tom," shrieked James, furiously. "I'll give him a licking, too."
"It doesn't look much like it," said Mark, with his knee on James's breast.
"Help, Tom!" called James, struggling once more.