“I’ve a good notion to,” muttered the bully.
He measured with his eye the distance between himself and Joe, and wondered if he could cover it in a rush, carry his opponent off his feet, and batter and pummel him as they rolled down the fort wall together.
“Go on!” urged Luke.
“I—I guess I will!” spoke Hiram desperately.
Then from the outer fringe of the attacking crowd there arose a cautious warning.
“Cheese it! Here comes old Sixteen!”
Professor Rodd was approaching and the lads well knew that he was bitterly opposed to fights, and would at once report any who engaged in them.
“Come on! Let’s finish the snow fight!” cried Teeter. “Get back in your fort, Hiram, and the rest of you, and we’ll soon capture it.”
“All right,” said the bully in a low voice. Then looking at Joe he said: “This isn’t the end of it; not by a long shot, Matson. I’ll get square with you yet.”