Jack made good time back to the post-office, and came hurrying along the street, whistling a lively tune. In the meantime the three plotters had walked ahead, taking care not to get too near Nat and John. The latter, however, had walked faster than they intended, so that they were a good quarter of a mile ahead of Jack. As the latter came opposite the last building that stood on the edge of where there were a number of vacant lots, he was surprised to hear a hail. "Hold on there!" someone cried. "Who are you?" asked Jack, looking around. Then, as three figures emerged from the shadows and blocked his path, he exclaimed: "Oh, it's you, is it, Jerry Chowden? Well, what do you want?" "I want to get square with you," replied the bully, in an angry tone. "And you bring two of your toadies along to help you, I suppose," said Jack, unable to keep a sneer from his voice. "Look here!" exclaimed one of Jerry's companions. "I don't know who you are, except by name, but I'm not going to have you insult me. Jerry is a friend of mine--" "Sorry for you," interrupted Jack cooly. "None of your lip!" exclaimed the other strange youth. "Jerry says he has a bone to pick with you," the one who had first addressed Jack went on. "He told us he was going to have it out with you, and invited us along. We're not going to take any part, you can rest assured of that, and there'll be fair play. But if you're afraid, why that's another matter." "Who said I was afraid?" demanded Jack hotly. "You seem to act so." "I don't know that I ever did you any harm, Jerry Chowden," Jack said, more quietly, "but if you feel so why I can't help it." "I do, and I'm going to get even," spoke Jerry, advancing closer to Jack. "Stand aside," demanded Jack, as the bully almost brushed against him. "Not until you've given me satisfaction." "What do you mean?" "You know well enough what I mean." "Do you want to fight?" asked Jack calmly. "Certainly I do!" exclaimed the bully, aiming a blow at the lad in front of him. Jack stepped quickly back, Jerry nearly lost his balance and just saved himself from falling. "You're a coward!" cried Jerry angrily. "I am, eh?" cried Jack. "Well, if I must fight I'm going to do it for all I'm worth!" The next instant he had his coat off, and was ready to defend himself. Jerry, nothing loath, closed in, and there in the darkness, illuminated only by the stars, the fight began. Jerry was well built and strong, but he had little science. On the contrary, though Jack was not as muscular nor as heavy as his antagonist, he more than made up for it in his quickness and his ability to hit hard. Jerry came up with a rush, and aimed a vicious blow at Jack's face. Jack cleverly dodged it, and countered, landing on Jerry's chin with a force that made the bully see stars. "I'll pay you for that!" he cried.