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." 
how did things turn bad for him
"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." 
