Within school-bounds he seldom ventured to be aggressive; but whenever we met about town he never failed to brush against me, or pull my cap over my eyes, or drive me distracted by inquiring after my family in New Orleans, always alluding to them as highly respectable colored people.
Jack Harris was right when he said Conway would give me no rest until I fought him.

I felt it was ordained ages before our birth that we should meet on this planet and fight.

With the view of not running counter to destiny, I quietly prepared myself for the impending conflict.

The scene of my dramatic triumphs was turned into a gymnasium for this purpose, though I did not openly avow the fact to the boys.

By persistently standing on my head, raising heavy weights, and going hand over hand up a ladder, I developed my muscle until my little body was as tough as a hickory knot and as supple as tripe.