Part 11 (2/2)
The blow was a telling one, and for a brief instant Tom was dazed.
But then he caught his second wind and threw Caven backward.
Before the Irish lad could recover his balance, Tom struck him in the nose, and over rolled his opponent.
A shout went up. ”Good for Tom Rover! That was a telling blow!
I Keep it up!”
”I'll fix you!” gasped Jim Caven, as soon as he could speak.
”I'll fix you!” and staggering to his feet, he glanced around for some weapon. Nothing met his view but a garden spade which Peleg Snuggers had been using, and catching this up he ran for Tom as if to lay him low forever.
”Caven, none of that! Fight fair!”
”He shan't call me a thief!” growled the Irish boy. ”I'll show him!” And he aimed a tremendous blow for Tom's head.
Had the spade fallen as intended Tom's cranium might have been split in twain. But now both d.i.c.k and Frank caught the unreasonable youth and held him while Sam and several others took the spade away.
”Stop it--here comes Mr. Strong!” came the unexpected cry from some outsiders.
”Yes, give it up, Tom,” whispered Sam.
”We're in hot water enough, on account of that feast.”
”I'll give it up if Caven is willing,” muttered
”I'll meet you another time,” answered Caven, and walked rapidly away.
”What is the row here?” demanded George Strong, as he strode up.
”Nothing, sir,” said one of the boy. ”Some of the fellows were wrestling for possession of that spade.”
”Oh, I was afraid there was a fight,” and Mr. Strong sauntered off.
He was on his way to the barn, and presently the cadets saw him come forth with the man-of-fall-work and the light spring wagon.
”They are going to take poor Aleck to the Cedarville lock-up,”
announced Fred. ”Poor chap, I never thought this of him!”
”Nor I,” answered d.i.c.k. ”To me this affair isn't very clear.”
”I don't believe they will be able to convict him of the crime,”
put in Sam.
An hour later Peleg Snuggers started away from Putnam Hall with his prisoner. Aleck looked the picture of misery as he sat on a rear seat, his wrists bound together and one leg tied to the wagon seat with a rope.
”Dis am a mistake,” he groaned. ”I aint guilty nohow!”
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