CHAPTER XII 

FAIR AND FOUL FIGHTING 

As Dick went down, Tom and Sam uttered cries of chagrin and horror. The eldest Rover had been struck on the chin, and the blood was flowing from a deep scratch. 

"Get up! Get up, Dick!" cried Tom. "Don't say you are beaten!" 

"Yes, yes; get up and go at him!" added Sam. 

The urging was unnecessary, as Dick was already scrambling up. Dan Baxter made a dash at him, intending to strike him while he was down, but a fierce look from Tom stopped him. 

"You'll fight fair, Baxter," were Tom's words. 

"Yes, he'll fight fair," repeated Dick, throwing back his head as if to collect himself. "Fellow-students, Dan Baxter is not fit to be a pupil at this academy." 

"Why not?" came in a chorus. 

"He is not fighting me fairly." 

"What do you mean?" blustered Mumps. 

"Don't find fault because he knocked you down," added another of the bully's cronies. 

"I say he is not fighting fair," repeated Dick stoutly. "He has something in each hand." 

At this unexpected announcement Dan Baxter started back and changed color. Then of a sudden he placed both hands into his trouser pockets. 

"He is putting the things out of sight!" cried Tom, who saw through the bully's intentions. 

"Come, Baxter, show us what you had." 

"I didn't have anything," growled the bully. "If you say I had I'll punch your head off. This is only a ruse to, let Dick gain time to get his wind." 
Did anyone else see this?
He is putting the things out of sight!" cried Tom, who saw through the bully's intentions. 
