e to escape a brutal encounter with such a bully, and yet avoid
actually running away.

"Well," said Jack, "if I must fight, I must. But I suppose you won't let
Riley and Berry help you."

"No, I'll fight fair." And Pewee threw off his coat, while Jack did the
same.

"You'll quit when I say 'enough,' won't you?" said Jack.

"Yes, I'll fight fair, and hold up when you've got enough."

"Well, then, for that matter, I've got enough now. I'll take the will
for the deed and just say 'enough' before you begin," and he turned to
pick up his coat.

"No, you don't get off that way," said Pewee. "You've got to stand up
and see who is the best man, or I'll kick you all the way home."

"Didn't you ever hear about Davy Crockett's 'coon?" said Jack. "When the
'coon saw him taking aim, it said: 'Is that you, Crockett? Well, don't
fire--I'll come down anyway. I know you'll hit anything you shoot at.'
Now, I'm that 'coon. If it was anybody but you, I'd fight. But as it's
you, Pewee, I might just as well come down before you begin."

Pewee was flattered by this way of putting the question. Had he been
alone, Jack would have escaped. But Will Riley, remembering all he had
endured from Jack's retorts, said:

"Oh, give it to him, Pewee; he's always making trouble."

At which Pewee squared himself off, doubled up his fists, and came at
the slenderer Jack. The latter prepared to meet him, but, after all, it
was hard for Pewee to beat so good-humored a fellow as Jack. The king's
heart failed him, and suddenly he backed off, saying:

"If you'll agree to help Riley and me out with our lessons hereafter,
I'll let you off. If you don't, I'll thrash you within an inch of your
life." And Pewee stood ready to begin.

Jack wanted to escape the merciless beating that Pewee had in store for
him. But it was quite impossible for him to submit under a threat. So he
answered:

"If you and Riley will treat me as you ought to, I'll help you when you
ask me, as I always have. But even if you pound me into jelly I won't
agree to help you, unless you treat me right. I won't be bullied into
helping you."

"Give it to him, Pewee," said Ben Berry; "he's too sassy."

Pewee was a rather good-natured dog--he had to be set on. He now began
to strike at Jack. Whether he was to be killed or not, Jack did not
know, but he was resolved not to submit to the bully. Yet he could not
do much at defence against Pewee's hard fists. However, Jack was active
and