He was proving the fact that he could "take punishment." Yet Dick did not land anything that hurt his opponent.
"You didn't half try this time," whispered Ben, as he attended his man in the "corner" under the tree.
"Come on, mucker!" yelled Ripley, derisively, when the two were summoned for the third round.
"Speak for yourself, fellow," Dick answered, coolly.
"I'm a gentleman, and a gentleman's son," proclaimed Fred, haughtily.
"You're a mucker, and the son of a mucker!" "Time!" Dick could stand an ordinary insult with a fair amount of good nature, when he despised the source of the insult.

But now there was a quiet flash in his eyes that Badger was glad to see.
Ripley started in to rush things.

In quick succession he delivered half a dozen stout blows.

Only one of then landed, and that glancingly.
Ripley was puzzled, but he had no time to guess.

For Dick was not exactly rushing, now.