authority diminishing, Pat decided to force a quarrel
upon Tom at the first opportunity. He had no great appetite for the
fight, but felt it to be a disagreeable necessity.

Just as he came up a gentleman approached with a valise in his hand.
His boots were decidedly dirty, and he was hailed as a prize by the
bootblacks.

"Shine yer boots?" exclaimed Tom and Pat, simultaneously.

"I don't know but they need brushing," said the traveler.

Instantly both bootblacks were on their knees before him, ready to
proceed to business.

"I don't need both of you," he said, smiling.

"Take me," said Pat; "I'll give you a bully shine."

"I'll give you the bulliest," said Tom, good humoredly. "I spoke
first."

"Lave wid yer, or I'll mash yer!" said Pat.

"Better not try it," said Tom, not in the least intimidated. "The
gentleman will choose between us."

"I'll choose you," said the traveler, decidedly more prepossessed by
Tom's appearance than by that of his competitor.

There was no appeal from this decision, and Pat rose to his feet, his
face wearing a very ugly scowl. He remained standing near, while Tom
was engaged with his job, watching him with an aspect which betokened
mischief.

"Thank you, sir," said Tom, as he received pay for his services.

The customer had no sooner left the spot than Pat strode up to Tom.

"I want that money," he said, menacingly.

"Do you?" returned Tom, coolly, as he thrust it into his vest pocket,
for, unlike the majority of his companions, he indulged in the luxury
of a vest.

"Yes, I do. It was my job."

"I don't see it."

"I spoke first."

"The gentleman chose me."

"You stuck yourself in where you wasn't wanted. Give me the money."

"Come and take it," said Tom, unconsciously making the same answer that
was once returned by a heroic general to an insolent demand for
surrender.

"I'll do it, then," said Pat, who had been nursing his rage till he was
grown reckless of consequences.

He threw down his box and sprang at Tom. The latter also quickly rid
himself of the incumbrance, and the two were soon wrestling at close
quarters. Pat, by his impetuous onset, came near upsetting his
adversary; but, by an effort, Tom saved himself.

Then commenced a determined contest. Both boys were unusually strong
for their ages, and were, in fact, very evenly matched. But at length
Tom, by an adroit movement of the foot, tripped his opponent, and came
down on top of him. He did not h