"What are you go'n to do about it?" demanded Tom, halting, and facing about.
"Those fellows must not meddle with the boats," answered the coxswain, and he was not disposed to stop to parley with the chief ruffian.
"'Tain't none of your bread and butter; you said so yourself," interposed Tom, stepping in front of Dory with clenched fists to bar his further advance.
The coxswain was not disposed to waste any time in words with Tom, and he attempted to pass him by dodging to one side, but the ruffian threw himself upon him, seizing him by his coat collar. This was an act of violence, and it roused the lion in Dory's nature. He shook off the grasp of his assailant without any difficulty, for if he was not as quick as lightning, he was about as near it as a boy of his weight could be. Once more he attempted to pass his assailant, but Tom got in front of him again.
"If you want to fight, come on!" foamed the Topover, as he put himself into the order of battle.
"I don't want to fight, but I shall defend myself," replied Dory. "Out of my way!"
Instead of taking himself out of the coxswain's path, Tom aimed a blow at Dory's head. The ruffian might as well have pitched into the sea-serpent or a royal Bengal tiger as into Dory Dornwood. He was rather smaller than his assailant, but he had learned the art of self-defence of a Burlington barber, who had formerly been a teacher of the "science." His frame seemed to be made of steel wire. He had brains and great dexterity of movement. Abundant exercise in boats and other training had fully developed his powers, and every student in the Beech Hill Industrial School knew that he was a terribly "hard hitter."
The coxswain easily parried the blow aimed at him with his left hand, and planted a sledgehammer hit with his right in Tom's face. The Topover went just where Oscar Chester had gone on a similar occasion at Plattsburg—on the ground, flat on his back. Doubtless the leader of the young ruffians was greatly astonished, not to say confounded, at this unexpected reception, for his historical studies had been neglected, and he had never heard of the Battle of Plattsburg, at least the particular one to which we refer.
Dory did not think it necessary to push the battle any farther at the present moment, though Tom instantly sprang to his feet, in spite of some confusion in his ideas. With one eye on his assailant, Dory retreated a few steps, and then resumed his march on the wharf.