“You are a big coward!” said Paul, with one rip tearing off his jacket.
His longed for opportunity had come. The law of retaliation for one’s own injury was not abrogated for him, but for others, especially for the weak and defenceless, it was a man’s duty to fight. His heart glowed with the old Crusader fire. Whether a long series of bitter humiliations added some fuel to the flame he stayed not to consider. His religious inhibitions were withdrawn. A plain duty lay before him. All his fear of the bigger boy vanished. He was ready to be offered a sacrifice.
“Oho! you little liar, you have been wanting a good hiding for some time, and now you’re going to get it.”
“Peg, keep back!” said Paul, quietly waiting.
The Colonel slipped from the saddle and crept near the clearing, taking his place behind a thick bush.
“By Jove, the boy is going to stand up to him!” he said delightedly. “I hope he’ll keep his head and do some foot work now.”
The hope was realised. With a rush Asa sought to grapple with his opponent. Paul easily avoided and before Asa could recover had landed one, two, three upon his enemy’s unprotected face. The Colonel hugged himself in joy.
“Gad, the boy’s showing form,” he chuckled in high glee.
Once more Asa rushed, but again Paul eluded him, circling round his man.
“Aw, come on, you coward!” cried Asa. “You dassen’t stand up to me.”