His face went white and his eyes flashed fire.

Reff Ritter stepped back to guard himself, but before he could do so, Jack's arm shot out and a heavy blow landed on the bully's chin, sending him staggering into Coulter's arms.
"That's the way to do it, Jack!" came from Pepper.
"He started it, now give him what he deserves!" added Fred.
"That's for the slap in the face, Reff Ritter!" said Jack, in cold tones.

"Now mind and keep your distance." "Wait--I'm not done yet!" yelled the bully, and doubling up his fists he hurled himself on the young major.
Several body blows were struck and then the two clinched.

As Ritter was partly stripped for battle, while Jack had on his stiff uniform, the bully had a little the better of it from the beginning.

Around and around the gymnasium floor they struggled.
"Break away!" cried several cadets.