Page:Tom Brown's School Days (6th ed).djvu/315

 "Who'll stop me?" said the Slogger, raising his hand again.

"I," said Tom; and, suiting the action to the word, struck the arm which held Arthur's arm so sharply that the Slogger dropped it with a start and turned the full current of his wrath on Tom.

"Will you fight?"

"Yes, of course."

"Huzza! there's going to be a fight between Slogger Williams and Tom Brown!"

The news ran like wildfire about, and many boys who were on their way to tea at their several houses turned back and sought the back of the chapel, where the fights come off.

"Just run and tell East to come and back me," said Tom to a small School-house boy, who was off like a rocket to Harrowell's, just stopping for a moment to poke his head into the School-house hall, where the lower boys were already at tea, and sing out, "Fight!—Tom Brown and Slogger Williams!"

Up start half the boys at once, leaving bread, eggs, butter, sprats, and all the rest to take care of themselves. The greater part of the remainder follow in a minute, after swallowing their tea, carrying their food in their hands to consume as they go. Three or four only remain, who steal the butter of the more impetuous, and make to themselves an unctuous feast.

In another minute East and Martin tear through the quadrangle carrying a sponge, and arrive at the scene of action just as the combatants are beginning to strip.

Tom felt he had got his work cut out for him, as he stripped off his jacket, waistcoat, and braces. East tied his handkerchief round his waist, and rolled up his shirt-sleeves for him: "Now, old boy, don't you open your mouth to say a word or try to help yourself a bit; we'll do all that; you keep all your breath and strength for the Slogger." Martin, meanwhile, folded the clothes and put them under the chapel rails; and now Tom, with East to handle him and Martin to give him a knee, steps out on the turf