Part 6 (1/2)

”Ah, git out. Me hand is sprained, I tell ye. I fell on it last night.

That's why I couldn't knock yer out. This thing ain't done yet, cub.

I'll git yer as sure as me name is Jim Dilks. I allers do wen I goes arter a feller.”

He turned away with his head tossed in the air as though victory had really perched upon his banner.

[ILl.u.s.tRATION: HE WAS IN NO HURRY TO GET UP NOW, BUT SAT THERE IN A HALF-DAZED WAY.]

The laugh that arose must have been galling to his pride, for he stopped in his tracks and looked around angrily in the hopes of detecting one of the boys in the act, whom he could trash later on as a sop to his wounded feelings; but they were shrewd enough to hide their exultant faces just then.

Darry picked up his coat, and putting it on, strode away.

He was conscious of a feeling of satisfaction, not because he had whipped his antagonist, for it had been almost too easy; but he knew Jim Dilks had long lorded it over the boys of Ashley, and perhaps after this he might hesitate to act the part of bully again.

At any rate he was not intending to leave the place just because one fellow had given him orders; perhaps before they left him alone he might have to repeat this dose; but the reputation of the one who had downed Jim Dilks would travel fast, and the balance of the village herd would think twice before trying conclusions with the new boy at Peake's.

CHAPTER VI

WINNING HIS WAY

When Darry entered the store the proprietor looked at him with interest.

Mr. Keeler was a very strait-laced individual, and wont to raise his hands in horror at the mention of fighting, or anything, in fact, that partook of violence. He always gave it as his opinion that football was a brutal game, equal to the bull rights of the Spaniards, and could hardly be induced to even watch a baseball match, for fear one of the players be injured.

Nevertheless, Mr. Keeler was human, and from the door of his shop he had seen the little affair on the road, and recognized the combatants as Peake's new boy and the village bully.

He could hardly believe his eyes when he saw that Darry had come off victor, and that the idle men who gaped at the encounter were giving Jim the laugh as he crossly slouched away.

Perhaps after all there might be something in such a fight as this, where a much-needed lesson was taught a young scoundrel.

Mr. Keeler had his eyes opened for once; but at the same time he thought it his duty as a man of peace to speak to the new boy.

”What was the trouble about, my lad?” he asked, as Darry handed him a list of the articles Mrs. Peake wished him to bring back.

”There was no trouble on my side. I only wanted to be left alone, sir,”

replied our hero, smiling.

”Oh! I see, and Jim wouldn't have it? Like as not he told you to get off the earth--it would be just like his impudence.”

”Not quite so bad as that, sir, but he did say I couldn't stay with Mrs.

Peake, and must move on. I'm quite satisfied where I am, and I mean to stay--that is as long as she wants me to.”

”Quite right. I suppose there may be times when a boy is compelled to stand up for his rights, although I've generally preached the other way.

But if you had to fight I'm glad you succeeded in convincing Jim that you could hold your own.”

”That was easy enough, sir. He is a clumsy fighter.”

”I hope you do not love to engage in such affairs, Darry?” continued the grocer, alive to what he considered his duty.