“What do you mean by doing that?” he demanded, doubling his fists and striding toward the stranger, whose smile added oil to the flames. The other held his ground and seemed to catch the hot resentment of Alden. “I can’t say I meant anything in particular, my red-faced friend; what are you going to do about it?” “I’ll mighty soon show you,” replied Alden, who, without an instant’s hesitation, launched his right fist at the face of the other; but he neatly dodged the blow and delivered so stinging a one on the cheek of Alden that he reeled for several paces. The single repulse did not scare the assailant, however, but made him more cautious. His antagonist was lithe and active, and coolly awaited the second assault, which you may be sure was not as blind as before. The Express Rider having gone upon the ferry boat, the attention of the crowd was shifted to the two youths, confronting each other with doubled fists and savage countenances. “A fight! a fight!” was shouted, and men and boys swarmed around the couple, taking care to keep far enough back to give them plenty of room. It was quickly evident that he whom Alden had attacked was a stranger to every one in the crowd. None the less, it was equally evident that some sympathized with him, although the majority were with Alden. “Give it to him, Payne! Knock him out!” “Look out for yourself!” called a tall man to the unknown; “Alden is a fighter from Fight Town, at the head of Fight River; keep your eye peeled!” “I’ll help you soak him!” added Jethro, bounding to the side of his master, putting up his big hands, see-sawing with them, ducking his head, and making several feints from a safe distance. “Keep out of the way!” commanded Alden; “I don’t want your help.” “Can’t get along widout me; you knock him ober and I’ll stomp on him and smash――” His impatient master made a vigorous sweep with his hand which tumbled Jethro on his back, with his shoes kicking toward the sky. “All right!” exclaimed the African, clambering to his feet; “den I’ll help de oder feller.” And he ran across and assumed a fighting attitude. “It’s time to teach Al some sense――” But the stranger was equally impatient, and made a similar back-handed stroke which sent the colored lad down again. “Keep away or you’ll get hurt,” he warned. “Gorrynation! if dat’s de way I’m treated I’ll lick _bofe_ of you!” And in order the better to carry out his threat, he began fiercely doffing his coat. He made a great pretense of hurrying, but, before he could shed the garment, a man standing near seized him by the arm and yanked him back with a force that came near throwing him to the ground again. “What’s the matter with you, Mix? ’tend to your own business.” This same person afterward remarked: “I noticed that it didn’t take much pulling to keep that darky out of the muss.”