ultant Rutherford; "but I hope
you've bid your friends farewell."

The other boys stood back and watched the singular contest. I carefully
approached so as to be ready to protect Ben when it should become
necessary.

The brave fellow never hesitated, but the instant he landed lightly on
the shore he went straight for Rutherford, who, it was plain, was
slightly surprised and disconcerted by his unscientific conduct. But the
city youth kept his guard well up, and the moment Ben was within reach he
struck a violent blow intended for the face.

But Ben dodged it easily, dropping his head and running with cat-like
agility directly under the guard of his antagonist, who, before he could
understand precisely what it meant, found himself clasped around the
waist and thrown on his back with such violence that a loud grunt was
forced from him, and his handsome new hat rolled rapidly down into the
water.

And I am free to confess that I was delighted when I saw Ben give him
several of his "best licks," which made the tall boy roar for mercy.

"Take him off, boys! he's killing me! Quick! I can't live much longer."

The others were terrified at the hurricane-like style in which the boy
had turned the tables on the scientific Rutherford, but they could not
stand by and see their companion massacred without raising a finger to
help him.

"Pull him off!" yelled the victim, twisting his body and banging his legs
in the soft earth in his vain effort to free himself from Ben, who was
pegging away at him. "Pull him off! Put me on top, and I'll settle him!"

One of the boys ran forward and reached out his hand, intending to catch
Ben by the shoulder and fling him to the ground; but, to my intense
amazement and equally intense delight, Ben caught his arm, jerked him
forward across the body of Rutherford, and belabored both of them. It was
one of the neatest feats I ever saw performed, and, under the
circumstances, I would have pronounced it impossible had it not been done
before my own eyes.

Both the hats of the Boston youths were floating down the river, and they
were so close to the water's edge that they were covered with mud. The
vigor of the assault on the two was increased rather than diminished, and
we spectators were cruel enough to laugh heartily over the exhibition,
accompanied as it was by the frenzied yells of the two lads who were
receiving the wrathful attentions of Ben Mayberry.

The third boy could not stand it.