"A fight! a fight!" exclaimed several of the boys, and soon a fair-sized crowd collected on the dock, for, in a village, a fight is a great event, to be talked over for many a day afterward. "What's the trouble?" asked several. "Dave Fearless and Bart Hankers are going to have it out." "What started it?" "Dave says Bart is nothing but a miserable sneak." "You have got to take back what you said," blustered Bart, squaring off. "I'll take back nothing," retorted Dave. He had scarcely spoken when the rich youth struck out and landed lightly on his shoulder. As quick as lightning Dave returned the blow, landing on Bart's nose with just sufficient force to draw blood. "Ouow!" howled the rich youth, and staggered back. "First blood for Dave Fearless!" "Give him another like that, Dave!" In a worse rage than ever Bart rushed at Dave again and this time caught him on the chin, and nearly knocked him down. "There's one for Bart Hankers!" "He'll down Dave Fearless yet!" As quickly as he could Dave recovered and rushed at his opponent. Blows now flew thick and fast, and Dave was hit on the shoulder, on the chest, and on the cheek. But he returned every blow with interest, and Bart received a crack in the eye which made him see a thousand stars, and then another in the mouth, which loosened two of his teeth. "Oh!" he groaned, and staggered toward the end of the dock. "Have you had enough?" demanded Dave. "No." Hardly had Bart answered when Dave squared off again. Bart struck out feebly and Dave warded off the blow with ease. Then Dave's left fist shot out, fairly and squarely, and the rich youth received a blow under the chin which lifted him off his feet and sent him backward with a loud splash into the waters of Long Island Sound. CHAPTER II THE HANKERS' MOVE "Bart's overboard!" "My! but wasn't that a clever blow!" "Dave is too many for him, even if Bart is larger." So the cries ran on as all rushed to the edge of the dock. Bart Hankers had disappeared, but he soon came up, spluttering and floundering around in a fashion to make many of those present laugh. The water at the dock was not extra deep, and his head had become covered with black mud from the bottom. "You--you--rascal!" he cried, when he could speak. "I'll--I'll have you locked up for that!" "Locked up!" cried several. "What for? It was a fair fight." "Dave had no right to knock him into the water," put in Hank Shores. Bart Hankers' rowboat was close at hand and into this the rich boy climbed slowly and painfully, for he was still partly dazed by the crack under the chin. His wet and muddy appearance made many in the crowd laugh. "I say, Bart, you look as if you were dressed for the ball!" cried one boy. "Now's the time to call on your best girl, Bart. You're in good shape for hugging her," added another.