"Ready! Time!" Fred Ripley put up a really splendid guard as he advanced warily upon the freshman.

Dick's guard, at the outset, was not as good.
They feinted for two or three passes, then Ripley let out a short-arm jab that caught Dick Prescott on the end of the nose.

Blood began to drip.
Ripley's eyes danced.

"I'll black both eyes, too, before I put you out," he threatened, in a low tone, as he fought in for another opening.
"Brag's a good dog," retorted Dick, quietly.

The blow, though it had stung, had served to make him only the more cool.