Page:Dave Porter and his Classmates.djvu/319

Rh "Two can play at that game."

"Are you coming or not, Merwell? This is your last chance to say yes."

"No."

Hardly had the word left the bully's lips when Dave leaped forward and sent in a crashing blow on Merwell's chin. The bully tried to dodge but failed, and went over on his back in some brushwood. For several moments he lay there dazed.

"See here, I'll fix you!" he roared, as he struggled up. "If you want to fight Oh!"

For again Dave had struck out, and this time the blow landed over the bully's left eye, and once more he went down in the bushes.

"Oh, Dave" began Plum, but received a shove back.

"Leave it all to me, Gus—I owe him this, and more. I'll tell you some of the reasons later."

"But—but he'll give me away to Doctor Clay—he'll tell about my"

"No, he won't—not after I am through with him. And even if he should I can tell the doctor the truth—how he tempted you and even threatened you."

Breathing heavily, Link Merwell arose a second time. He looked around for something with which to attack Dave, and his uninjured eye fell upon a stone lying close by. But as he stooped to pick it up, Dave gave him a shove that landed