"That's right, Jack."

"Just let me git one chanct at him an' he'll run away, you see if he
don't. But he shan't git away until I give him a black eye an' knock out
a couple of his front teeth fer him," concluded the boaster.

CHAPTER XVIII.

JOE SHOWS HIS MUSCLE.

All unconscious that he was being followed, our hero went on his errand
to a wholesale provision house that supplied the Grandon Hotel with
meats and poultry. He felt in good spirits and so whistled lightly as he
walked.

Arriving at the place of business he transacted his errand as speedily
as possible and then started to return to the hotel.

He was just passing the entrance to a factory yard when he felt a hand
on his shoulder, and wheeling around found himself confronted by Jack
Sagger, Nick Sammel, and half a dozen others, who had gathered to see
their leader "polish off" the country boy.

"What do you want?" demanded Joe, sharply.

"You know well enough wot I want, country!" exclaimed Jack Sagger.

"I do not."

"You took my job away from me, an' I'm goin' to pay you fer doing it."

"Mr. Drew had a perfect right to discharge you, Jack Sagger. He said you
were impudent and he didn't want you around any more."

"You can't preach to me, country! Do you know wot I'm goin' ter do?"

"No."

"I'm going to make you promise to leave dat job. Will yer promise?"

"No."

"Den you have got to fight," and Jack Sagger began to pull up his rather
dirty coat sleeves.

"Supposing I don't want to fight?" went on our hero, as calmly as he
could.

"Yer got ter do it, country--or else make dat promise."

"I'll make no promise to you."

"Den take dat!"

As Jack Sagger uttered the last words he launched a blow at Joe's nose.
But our hero ducked and the blow went wide of its mark.

"Give it to him, Jack!"

"Show him what you can do!"

"Keep off," came from Joe. "If you don't, you'll get hurt!"

"Hear dat now! Jack, pitch in, quick, before anybody comes!"

Thus urged Jack Sagger struck out once more, landing on Joe's chest.
Then our hero drew back and sent in a blow with all his force. It took
the other boy squarely on the chin and sent him staggering against a
friend.

If ever there was a surprised boy that boy was Jack Sagger. He
had expected that to "polish off" Joe would be easy and he had not
anticipated such a defense as had been made. He righted himself and
gazed stupidly at our hero.

"Wot did yer hit me fer?" he gasped.

"