o his nature,
reached for what seemed to him the easier game. Teddy stoutly stood his
ground, but before the bully could reach him, Bill Garwood's hand was on
his collar, his knuckles boring deep into his neck.

"No, you don't," he said, as he yanked him back. "What kind of a sport
are you, anyway? You've been kicking these fellows twice as hard as I
kicked you, but the minute you get a taste of it, you go off the handle.
And anyway, if you want to do any fighting why don't you pick out a
fellow of your size? I'm about your size. Do you get me?"

There was no doubt of his meaning, and his perfect readiness to stand by
his meaning was so evident, that Andy concluded discretion to be the
better part of valor. He turned away sourly, shooting a look at Teddy,
which, if looks could kill, would have left him dead upon the spot.

For both Fred and Teddy a storm was brewing.

CHAPTER XVIII

KICKING THE PIGSKIN

Letters kept coming every week to the Rushton boys from the family at
home. Mr. Rushton's, although less frequent than his wife's, were always
bright and jolly, and seldom came without enclosing a check, which
helped to cover the cost of many a midnight spread in the dormitory,
when the boys were supposed to be in bed. Their friends were a unit in
declaring that Mr. Rushton was a "real sport."

Those of Mrs. Rushton came oftener, and were full of loving expressions
and anxious advice to wear proper clothing and avoid rough sports and be
careful about getting their feet wet. Although her chicks were no longer
under her maternal wings, she brooded over them every moment, and was
counting the days till they returned to her.

She often referred to Uncle Aaron, and the boys were sorry to learn that
there was still no trace of the missing watch and papers. He had offered
a reward and advertised widely, but had never received even a hint of
their whereabouts.

"Old Hi Vickers is a swell detective--I don't think," sighed Teddy,
after reading the latest letter.

"I blame myself, partly, for the loss of the watch," remarked Fred
regretfully. "I ought to have told somebody right away about those
tramps hanging around. Then they might have been rounded up and chased
out of town before they had a chance to break into the store."

"You're not to blame for anything," said Teddy bitterly. "I'm the person
that caused all the trouble. If I'd only had sense enough not to plug
Jed's horse that day, this whole thing woul