“Not quite so many,” said the chairman, flushing. “The incident is regretted by the class.”
“By me also,” said Mark, rubbing his shoulder suggestively.
“It appears,” the other continued hurriedly, “that you are now recovered. Therefore, to be brief, the class has sent us to inquire as to your wishes concerning the duty you undertook when you ventured to defy them. You know what I mean. You stand pledged, and you will be compelled to defend yourself before every member of our class in turn until you agree to apologize and become a plebe once more.”
The spokesman stopped and Mark answered without hesitation, looking him squarely in the eye.
“Tell the class,” said he, “that I am ready to meet any one it may select, to-day if necessary, and in any place they choose. Tell them also if they could manage to select one of those who helped to injure my shoulder I should consider it a favor. Tell them that I have nothing to apologize for. Tell them that I renew my defiance, with all possible courtesy, of course; tell them I once more refuse to be hazed, and shall refuse even when I am beaten; and——”
Here the excitable ex-cowboy, who had been listening with most evident delight, sprang forward with a whoop.
“An’ tell ’em,” he roared, “doggone their boots, ef they lick Mark fair or foul they ain’t hardly begun what they’ll have to do! Tell ’em, sah, there’s a gennelman, what never yit run from man or devil, named Jeremiah Powers, sah, son o’ the Honorable Scrap Powers, o’ Hurricane County, Texas. Tell ’em he’s jes’ roaring for a scrap, an’ that he’ll start in whar Mallory quits! An’ tell ’em——”
But the committee had turned away and started across the parade ground by that time. The committee didn’t consider it necessary to listen to Mr. Jeremiah Powers.
Mark had listened however; and as he took Texas by the hand the excitable Texas saw in his eyes that he appreciated the offer.
“And now,” said Mark at last, “if I am to do some fighting I’d best go back and finish that nap. I’ll need to make up for the sleep I’ve missed.”