s coming!" was the word passed down the line of
scouts, interrupting Richard's remarks on the subject of punishment.

"What shall I do?"

"Don't do any thing, Grant," said Bailey. "You are sure to be found
out, whatever you do. If you run away, it will be all the worse for
you."

Richard, after a moment's reflection, was of the same opinion, and he
decided to take the consequences, whatever they might be.

"What does all this mean?" demanded the colonel, sternly, when he saw
the swelled face of Richard.

"Been a fight, sir," replied several of the boys.

"Between whom?"

"Nevers and Grant."

"Nevers and Grant will report forthwith in my office," said the
principal, as he walked back to the Institute.

CHAPTER XIII.

RICHARD LISTENS TO A HOMILY ON FIGHTING, AND SPENDS THE NIGHT IN THE
GUARD HOUSE.

Richard, in obedience to the order of the principal, immediately
repaired to the office, where he was soon joined by Nevers, both of
them very much the worse for the encounter.

"You have been fighting--have you, young gentlemen?" demanded Colonel
Brockridge, as he entered the room.

"Yes, sir," replied both of the culprits, in the same breath.

"You know the rules of the Institute, Nevers," added the principal,
sternly.

"I do, sir; but I was struck, and was obliged to fight in
self-defence."

"And you, Grant, had common sense enough to know better than to engage
in a fight. You struck the first blow--did you?"

"I struck the first blow that was given with the fist, but Nevers
struck the heaviest blow with his tongue."

"Explain, Grant."

"At breakfast I was informed by Nevers that they found out what boys
were made of on drill."

"Did you make use of this remark, Nevers?" asked the principal.

"I did, sir."

"What did you mean by it?"

"Simply that we found out something about a boy's capacity."

"Ah, indeed!" added Colonel Brockridge, in a slightly satirical tone.
"What did you understand by the remark, Grant?"

"That a fellow who hadn't spunk enough to protect himself must submit
to be insulted, and to be bullied by those who were wiser than he in
military matters."

"I did not mean that, sir," protested Nevers.

"His looks and his tone indicated it," said Richard. "And when he was
directed to instruct me in the positions, his tone and manner were
haughty and domineering. I so understood it, sir; if I am wrong, I am
willing to apologize. In the course of the drill he called me