hardly true," returned Tom hotly.

"Both of you are well aware that it is against the rules of this school
to fight," went on the teacher.

"I know that, Mr. Strong," answered Tom. "But Flapp struck me first."

"It isn't so!" cried the big boy. "I wasn't doing anything, when Rover
came along and started to quarrel."

"My brother Sam and Harry Moss can prove that Flapp struck me first."

"That is true," said Harry Moss, while Sam nodded.

"What was the quarrel about?"

"I caught him here, beating Harry with this boat chain. I told him to
stop and then he pitched into me."

"Is this true, Moss?"

"Ye--yes, sir, but--I--I--didn't want to say anything about it, sir."

"Do you mean to say that Flapp attacked you with that chain?"

Harry Moss was silent.

"Answer me."

"He did. But, Mr. Strong, I don't want to make any complaint. He and
some of the others think I'm a--a sneak already," and now Harry could
hardly keep back his tears.

"I don't know why he attacked Harry," put in Tom. "But I couldn't stand
it, and I took the chain away from him and told him to stop. Then he
struck me, and we pitched into each other--and I guess he got the worst
of it," added Tom, a bit triumphantly.

"Hum! Flapp, you may go and bathe your nose, which I see is bleeding,
and then come to Captain Putnam's office. The others can come to the
office with me."

George Strong led the way, and Tom, Sam, and Harry Moss followed. The
teacher took along the boat chain and made Harry show where he had been
struck.

Captain Putnam looked very grave when the affair was explained to him.
He questioned Harry in private and learned that the attack was made by
Flapp because of what the young cadet had told about drinking and
smoking.

"Rover, it was wrong to fight," said the captain to Tom. "But under the
circumstances I am inclined to be lenient with you. You can retire,
and this evening during off time I want you to write one hundred times,
the proverb beginning, 'Blessed are the peace-makers.'"

"Yes, sir," said Tom humbly. He was glad to escape thus easily, for he
knew that the captain was very strict concerning fighting.

A little later the others were sent off, leaving Lew Flapp alone with
Captain Putnam.

"Flapp," said the owner of the school, with a hardness that made the
big boy's heart sink into his shoes. "I hardly know what to say to you.
Your former conduct was mean enough, and this appears to be on a level
with it. With s