CHAPTER VI.
PAID IN PULL TO DATE Then, struck by a sudden consideration of prudence, Bert stepped back two or three feet, looking appealingly at the farmer.
"Will you stay here long enough to see fair play done ?" Dodge demanded of the farmer.
"If there is going to be a boxing exhibit, with plenty of science, and all fair play," grinned the farmer, "I don't believe there are enough of you young fellows here to chase me away.

Start things moving as soon as you like." With that the stranger drew out a pipe, which he proceeded to fill and light.
"Get yourself in shape, you mucker!" breathed Bert fiercely, pulling off his coat and tossing his motoring cap after it to the ground.
"Come on---get ready!" "I'm no rowdy," Dick declared coolly, making no move to put himself in readiness.
"No; you're a coward, with a long line of talk, but no spirit in you!" jeered young Dodge.
"If I'm a coward, what possible glory would there be in your fighting me ?" Dick smiled.
"Let me have the sneak!" begged Dave, stepping forward, but Dick pushed his churn back.

Tom Reade took tight hold of Dave's right arm.
With the prospects of an encounter vanishing, Bert Dodge's valor went up tenfold.
"Get up your guard!" he roared.

"I've been taking boxing lessons and I want to teach you one or two things." "I haven't been taking any boxing lessons lately," Dick remarked with composure.
"Oh, that's why you're afraid to act at all like a man, is it ?" scoffed Bert in his harshest voice.
"No; my main reason for not caring to fight you, Dodge, is that I don't like the idea of soiling my hands." "What's that ?" screamed Bert in added fury.

"You insult me---you---you mucker ?" "If I'm a mucker, then you don't need to feel insulted at my opinion of you," Dick suggested, with a smile.
But this hesitancy on the part of Prescott was filling Bert Dodge with more valor every instant.
"Prescott, I've owed you something for a mighty long time," quivered Bert.