"That's Midshipman Dave Darrin, and he's one of the quickest, hardest hitters in Gridley." "Oh, that's the midshipman, is it ?" demanded Ardmore in a sneering voice.
"Oh, well, then, I won't hit him again.

I know another way of making his skin smart." Dave tarried only long enough to make sure that the fop did not care to carry the encounter further.

Then, turning on his heel, he walked rapidly in the direction Belle had taken.

He overtook that young lady before she reached the Bentley home.
[Illustration: Darrin's Blow Felled the Fop to the Ground.] "If the fellow intends to trouble you again, I hope he'll do it before my leave is finished," spoke Dave quietly.

"I think I've given him a little lesson, Belle, though there's no telling how long it will last with inferior animals of Ardmore's type." "He's a spiteful fellow, Dave.