e by side, Sandwick
overtook Slade and so did Marley. In the meantime the sixth boy had lost
a skate and dropped out.

With a final desperate effort Peter Slade tried to gain first place. But
his wind was gone and his strength also, and he dropped back further and
further.

"Hurrah, here they come!"

"It's a tie race between Dick and Larry!"

"Marley is third!"

"Yes, and Sandwick fourth."

"Peter Slade is fifth."

"Humph! And Peter said he was bound to win!"

Then over the line shot the skaters, Dick and Larry side by side and
laughing merrily. As soon as the race was ended they locked arms to show
their good feeling. Then Marley came in with Sandwick at his heels. In
deep disgust Peter Slade refused to finish, but circled to one side and
hurried to the boathouse, there to take off his skates and disappear.

"It was a well-skated race," declared George Strong. Then he asked Dick
and Larry if they wanted to skate off the tie.

"We won't bother," said Dick, after consulting his chum. "We are
satisfied to let it stand as it is, considering that there was no prize
to be awarded."

The fact that he had lost the skating race made Peter Slade more sour
than ever, and after that, whenever he met Dick, he glared at the eldest
Rover boy defiantly.

"He acts as if he had a personal grudge against me," said Dick to his
brothers.

"Well, he acts that way to me, too," answered Tom.

"He ought to have his head punched well," was Sam's comment.

Peter Slade did not seem to care that Larry had beaten him--his enmity
was directed mainly at Dick.

Slade was in one of the lower classes, but one day one of the teachers
announced a lecture on the battleships of the American navy, and a large
number of boys came in to listen and to take notes.

In the midst of the lecture Dick had occasion to pass down one of the
aisles. As he went by Peter Slade the latter put out his hand and hit
him in the knee. Slade's hand had ink on it and the ink went on Dick's
clean uniform.

"What did you do that for?" demanded Dick, halting.

"Shut up!" whispered Slade, uglily.

"I've a good mind to box your ears," went on Dick.

"Will you?" roared the bully, leaping up. "Just try it!" And so speaking
he made a pass at Dick's head.

The blow landed on Dick's shoulder, leaving an ink mark behind it. The
eldest Rover boy had leaped to one side. But now he leaped forward, and
a well-directed blow from his fist sent Slade reeling backward