“Will you get your place again if you lick him?” asked one of his companions.
Of course, I will.”
“Suppose he won’t give it up?”
“Then I’ll lick him every day till he’s glad to clear out. All you boys know I don’t stand no nonsense.”
The result of Sam’s boastful talk was that about a hundred boys collected behind the schoolhouse.
Many of them who had suffered from Sam’s bullying disposition would have been glad to see him worsted, but none anticipated it.
Nothing was known of Tony except that he was considerably smaller and lighter, and probably weaker.
Tony tried to be on hand at the time appointed, but he
had more than usual to do, and it was five minutes past seven before he entered the field.
There had been various speculations as to the cause of his delay.