You keep off or I'll hit you again," answered Joe.

There was a pause and Sagger sprang forward, trying to catch Joe around
the arms. But our hero was too quick for him and ducked once more. Then
he hit the bully in the ear and gave him another blow in the left eye.

"Ouch!" roared Jack Sagger. "Don't! Oh, my eye!"

"Have you had enough?" demanded Joe, who was commencing to warm up.

"Pitch in, fellers!" came from Jack Sagger. "Throw him down!"

"Ain't you going to do it alone?" queried Nick Sammel, in wonder, not
unmingled with a suspicion that Joe would not be as easy to handle as
anticipated.

"I--I've got a--a heartburn," came lamely from Sagger. "It come on me
all at onct. If it wasn't fer that I'd do him up all alone."

"You're a fraud, and you haven't any heart-burn!" cried Joe. "You're
afraid, that's all. If you want to fight, stand up, and we'll have it
out."

"Don't you call me afraid," said Sagger, but his voice had lost much of
its bullying tone.

"You're a big coward, Jack Sagger. After this I want you to leave me
alone."

"Ain't you fellers going to pitch in?" demanded Sagger, turning to his
cohorts.

"The first boy to hit me will get paid back with interest," said Joe,
sharply. "I don't like to fight but I can do it if I have to."

One or two had edged forward but when they saw his determined air they
slunk back.

"Go on and fight him, Jack," said one. "This is your mix-up, not ours."

"You said you was going to do him up brown," put in another.

"Ain't I got the heartburn?" blustered the bully. "I can't do nuthin'
when I git that. Wait till I'm well; then I'll show him."

"If you ever touch me again, Jack Sagger, I'll give you the worst
thrashing you ever had," said Joe, loudly. "Remember, I am not the least
bit afraid of you. The best thing you can do is to keep your distance."

"Humph!"

"I don't want to quarrel with anybody, but I am always ready to stick up
for my rights, just you remember that."

So speaking Joe backed out of the crowd, that opened to let him pass.
Several of the boys wanted to detain him, but not one had the courage to
do so. As soon as he was clear of his tormentors, he hurried back to the
hotel.

"How did you make out?" asked Mr. Drew.

"It's all right, sir, and they'll send the things to-night, sure,"
answered Joe. He hesitated for a moment. "I had a little excitement on
the way."

"How was that?"

"Jack Sagger and some other boys followed me up and