rk eyes.
His clothes were poor, and there was more than one hole in the ragged
jacket buttoned tightly round him.

"I'll give yer my knife for't, Bill," he said quickly.

This was a good offer. Bill hesitated; but casting a glance at the
boy's dark eager face, he exclaimed:

"Ah, it's you, is it, Dan Tuvvy; then don't you wish you may get it?
I'll just keep it myself."

"'Tain't yourn," said Dan shrilly.

"'Tain't yourn, anyhow," said Bill, with a glare in his green eyes.

The small boy's features worked with excitement. "I'll fight yer for
it, then," he said, doubling his fists, and at this there was a loud
laugh from the others, for he was about half Bill's size.

"Go it, Tuvvy," cried one, patting him on the back; "go in and win."

"I ain't a-goin' to fight a little chap like you," said Bill, moving off
sullenly with the kitten under his arm. "So don't you think it."

"You give me the cat, then," said Dan, following him. "'Ere's my knife,
with three blades, and on'y one broke."

"Git out with yer," said Bill contemptuously. "I tell yer I'm a-goin'
to have a cat-chase with this 'ere kitten. So no more bother about it."

"You're afraid," snarled Dan, running along by his side. "I wouldn't be
a big chap like you, and be afraid--that I wouldn't."

"Take that, then," said Bill, turning suddenly, "if you _will_ have it;"
and he gave the small boy a blow which struck him to the ground.

In a moment he was up again, quite undaunted.

"Come on, then," he cried, doubling his fists and dancing round his
enemy, "if you _aren't_ afraid."

"A fight! a fight!" sounded from all sides; and there seemed no doubt of
it, for Bill's temper was roused.

"Ketch 'old for a minnit," he said, holding out the kitten, for which a
dozen grimy hands were outstretched; "'twon't take long--"

So all the boys thought. It would be short but exciting, for the two
were old enemies, and likely to fight with spirit. They placed
themselves in a ring, with hoarse shouts of encouragement and approval,
and the fight began; the kitten adding its plaintive mew from time to
time to the general noise.

At first it seemed that one blow from Bill's heavy hand would be enough
to finish the affair; but it was soon evident that Dan's lean figure and
nimble movements were greatly to his advantage. He sprang about in such
a swift and agile manner, that he seemed everywhere at once; and while
Bill was turning to deal a blow, or to catch ho