"

"He drilled our squad this morning, and took the trouble to insult me
several times."

"Just like him. He is the biggest bully in the school."

"I am going to knock some of his impudence out of him."

"You?" exclaimed Bailey, stopping short, and looking with astonishment
at the new comer.

"I am going to try it, at any rate," added Richard, more modestly. "I
don't let any fellow insult me."

"Why, he will break every bone in your body. He can lick any fellow in
the school."

"I don't care for that. I won't be imposed upon by him."

"But it won't do; if any fellow gets up a fight here, it goes hard with
him."

"Can't help that."

"But he will whip you, as sure as you attempt it. I tell you he is the
bully of the school."

"He called me a dough-head, on drill, this morning."

"If you had reported him to Mr. Gault, he would have punished him
severely. No officer is allowed to speak impudently to a private,
especially to a new fellow. Why didn't you report him?"

"Because I feel able to fight my own battles; besides, I don't like the
idea of being a tell-tale."

"I advise you not to touch him. He will make mince meat of you, if you
do."

"Perhaps he will; he shall have a chance to try it."

"I should like to see him licked, and so would every other fellow in
the school."

"I think I can take care of him."

"Do you know any thing about the science?"

"O, well, something," replied Richard, with assumed indifference.

But Richard had been very thoroughly educated in the science of
self-defence by Bob Bleeker, who had served his time as a butcher's boy
in New York city, and done duty there as a rough of the first water.

"Nevers knows all about it. He has had half a dozen pitched battles
with fellows whom he bullied, and all of them got whipped. Nevers has
been 'cock of the walk' for the last year, for no fellow dares say a
word to him."

Richard said no more, but went directly to the place where the bully
was standing. He walked up to him with a bold and defiant air.

"I am glad to meet you, Nevers," said he, with easy self-possession.

"Are you, my fighting chicken?" laughed Nevers.

"You called me a dough-head this morning," added Richard.

"I did; and to make sure that there is no mistake, I repeat it--You are
a dough-head."

"Then take that for your impudence!" said Richard, as with a sudden
movement he slapped the bully's face.

"A fight! A fight!" shouted the dozen boys who were g