CHAPTER VI 

CAPTAIN PUTNAM INVESTIGATES 

"Reff Ritter has been knocked out!" 

"My, what blows they were!" 

"Well, he brought it on himself," said Pepper. 

"That's what," added Fred. "He struck Jack after Jack told him he didn't believe in fighting." 

"He couldn't save himself because he was too close to the wooden horse," came from Coulter, who felt bound to stick up for his crony. "It wasn't fair to run him up against the horse." 

"Coulter, a poor excuse is worse than none," answered Dale. 

"Ritter was knocked out fair and square," came from Bart Connors. 

While the talking was going on, Paxton had rushed off for water. Now he returned with a pailful and a sponge, and commenced to bathe the fallen one's face. Ritter soon opened his eyes and gave a groan. 

"Le--let me al--alone," he muttered. 

"Get up, Reff," said Paxton. "Go for him again." 

"I--I can't," mumbled the bully, and now it was seen that two of his front teeth were loose. He stared around in a helpless fashion. Paxton put some more water on his face. 

"Has he had enough?" demanded Jack, stepping up. 

"You go away," answered Coulter, surlily. 

"You wouldn't hit him when he's down, would you?" snapped Paxton. 

"I asked you if he had enough. If he has, I'm going for a sail." 

"I'll--I'll finish this some other time," mumbled Ritter, as he glared at the young major. 

"No, Ritter, you'll finish it now if you finish it at all," answered Jack, coldly. "You started this fight, and now you must take the consequences. Get up, if you want to go at it again."  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What's the bully's name?
2. Who is described as a bully?
3. Who pushes all the others around?
Q2:
1. Who was Ritter fighting?
2. Who did Ritter squabble with?
3. Who did Ritter get into a fight with?
Q3:
1. Was Jack eager to fight?
2. Did Jack pick a fight happily?
3. Did Jack really want to fight?
Q4:
1. Why wasn't Jack interested in fighting?
2. Why didn't Jack want to fight all that much?
3. What indicated that Jack wasn't really into fighting?
Q5:
1. Did things turn out well for Ritter?
2. Did the bully win the fight?
3. Did Ritter come out on top in the fight?
Q6:
1. How did things go south for Ritter?
2. What made Ritter lose the fight?
3. What lost the fight for Ritter?
Q7:
1. Who first commented on Ritter's performance in the fight?
2. Who first spoke about how Ritter fought?
3. Who was the first to comment on Ritter's ability to fight?
Q8:
1. What did Coulter think about the fight?
2. What was Coulter's opinion of how the fight went down?
3. What did Coulter have to say about Ritter's performance?
Q9:
1. How many people immediately disagreed with Coulter?
2. How many people told Coulter immediately that they did not agree?
3. How many said instantly that they didn't think Coulter was right?
Q10:
1. Who went off in search of supplies?
2. Who went looking for provisions?
3. Who departed on the hunt for supplies?
Q11:
1. What did Paxton grab?
2. What did Paxton bring back?
3. What provisions did Paxton return with?
Q12:
1. What did Paxton use the water and sponge for?
2. What did Paxton do with the water and the sponge?
3. What were the water and sponge used to do?
Q13:
1. Did Ritter want to continue fighting?
2. Did Ritter wish to keep the fight going?
3. Was Ritter in favor of staying for the entire fight?
Q14:
1. Did Jack want to continue fighting?
2. Did Jack wish to keep the fight going?
3. Was Jack in favor of staying for the entire fight?
