"Oh, yes," scoffed Phil derisively, "you're sus-sorry you can't work me
for a chump any more. You know what I think of you, and if you've got
any real sand you'll pick it up. All I ask is a square show, and I'll
give you the scrap of your life. You can't frighten me with your
savage looks, and I've got my bub-blinkers on you so you can't catch me
off my guard and hit me. That's the way you've won your reputation as
a fuf-fighter around these parts. You've never faced anybody in a
sus-square stand-up scrap, but you've grabbed and ch-choked fellows
like Bunk Lander and Herbert Rackliff when they weren't expecting it.
I know a little something about handling my dukes, and I'll bet I can
lick you in less than tut-ten minutes."

"Perhaps you can," said Grant.

"Gee whiz!" spluttered Chipper Cooper. "What do you know about that,
fellows?"

It was true that Grant had never engaged in a real fist fight since
coming to Oakdale, but he had once stretched an enemy prone and stiff
with a single sudden blow, and since the brave part he had played in
rescuing Lela Barker from drowning Phil was the first to question his
courage.

Herbert Rackliff, having recovered his breath and found sufficient
strength to stand without assistance, was looking on and listening in
the greatest satisfaction. "Soak him, Phil!" he whispered faintly.
"Go for him!"

"Perhaps you're right," said Grant again, as Springer surveyed him with
marked contempt. "Anyhow, I certain am not going to fight you."

Springer seemed genuinely disappointed. "I have a mind to punch you,"
he declared. "Perhaps you'd brace up then and show a little manhood."

Rod retreated a step, which added to the impression that he was afraid.

"You'll be sorry some time, old chap," he said, "just as I would be if
I permitted you to lead me into a wretched fight. You don't
understand----"

"Oh, yes I do; I understand everything. I've gug-got you sized up for
just what you are, a big case of bluff. I've cuc-called you, and your
show-down is mighty rotten. Bah! If the fellows around here want to
think you the whole shooting match after this, they're welcome to do
so. But in order to keep your reputation as a dangerous character
you'll have to do something besides jump on fellows like Rackliff and
Lander."

Disdainfully he turned his back on Grant.

"You chaps can sus-see just what sort of a creature your fine hero is,"
he said. "Now hang around him as much as