I went rummaging in my trunks, and in the bottom of one I came across a punching-bag and a set of gloves.

Right there I took off my hat to Rankin, and begged his pardon for the unflattering names he'd been in the habit of hearing from me.

I carried the things down and put up the bag in an empty room at one end of the bunk-house, and got busy.
Frosty Miller came first to see what was up, and I got him to put on the gloves for awhile; he knew something of the manly art, I discovered, and we went at it fast and furious.

I think I broke up a game in the next room.

The boys came to the door, one by one, and stood watching, until we had the full dozen for audience.