etween the eyes, and he
went backward over Richmond, with his two legs pointing upward, like a
pair of dividers, toward the stars.

Ben's blood was up, and he waited for the two to rise, intending to "lay
them out" more emphatically than before. The lad whose name he did not
know lay still, but Rutherford recovered with remarkable quickness, and
began struggling to his feet, without paying heed to his hat, which had
rolled into the gutter.

"That ain't fair to strike a fellow that way, when he ain't expecting
it," growled the assassin. "Why didn't you stand still like a man and not
hit below the belt?"

"All right; I give you notice then, friend Rutherford, that I am going
for you again, and this time above the belt."

Richmond, finding he must fight, threw up his hands and did his best to
guard against the blows whose force he knew so well. He did possess some
knowledge of sparring, but so did Ben, who was much the stronger and more
active of the two. He advanced straight upon Richmond, made several
feints, and then landed a blow straight from the shoulder, at the same
time parrying the cross-counter which the lad came near getting in on the
face.

It so happened that, at that moment, the other young scamp was in the act
of rising, and had got upon his hands and knees. As Richmond was sent
spinning backward he came in collision with him, and turned a complete
somersault, the air seeming to be full of legs, long hair, hats, and
flapping overcoats.

"Murder! help! help! police! police!"

These startling cries were shouted at the top of their voices by the
discomfited poltroons, and were heard a long distance on the still night.
Suddenly the rattle of running feet sounded on the planks of the bridge,
and Ben caught sight of a policeman running toward the spot.

"What does this mean?" he demanded, when he came face to face with Ben,
whom he motioned to stop.

"Those two fellows attacked me when I was passing Carter's Alley, and
I--well, I defended myself as best I could."

"Oh, Ben, that is you; I didn't know you at first," said the policeman.
"This is rather serious business; I'll run 'em in."

Advancing to where the boys were once more climbing to their feet, he
grasped each by the collar.

"I'll take you along with me, young gents; this is serious business for
you."

They begged piteously to be let off, declaring that it was only a joke,
but the officer was inexorable, and marched them to the station ho