“I’ve come from Mr. Harris,” he began. “Mr. Harris wishes me to say that he is sick and tired of your nonsense——”
“I don’t doubt it,” smiled Mark, and Dewey came in with a “Bully, b’gee!”
“Mr. Harris says,” continued Vance, angrily, “that he proposes to put a stop to your insolence at once. Do you understand that? He has asked me to be his second, and he intends to give you the worst thrashing you ever got in your life——”
“Whoop!”
“By Zeus!”
“Bless my soul!”
The exclamations which resulted from Vance’s unexpected announcement fairly shook the woods. In an instant the yearling found himself surrounded by an eager, delighted crowd of lads, rubbing their hands gleefully and all talking at once with excitement. Truly this was a delicious turn of affairs! Bull driven to fight! And coward though he was! Gee whiz!
“Won’t I do instead o’ Mark?” cried Texas, who was already dancing about and twitching his fingers furiously.
“When is Bull anxious to have this fight take place?” Mark inquired as soon as he was able to get the rest quiet enough for Vance to hear him.
“To-night,” answered Vance.