"It's lucky it was you!" declared the First. "Guess we'd better change the subject. I didn't realize we were so near the school. You two run along and I'll arrange with Hal." "Thought everything was fixed," remarked Buttons, as Sandow left them. "Going to change the hour, that's all." And Fred told his chum about the party, adding: "Can't you get Grace Darling and come over in the evening?" "Guess so. I promised to let her know how things came out." "But she'll tell Marg." "What of it." "Marg'll tell Momsy and she'll worry her head off." "Well, there's no use crying over what can't be helped. There's Bart now. Will you ask him to change the time or shall I arrange with Taffy?" "I will." CHAPTER VIII FRED'S REWARD No sooner had Fred spoken than he started toward his rival. By this time, a score or more boys were in sight and as they saw Fred heading for Bart, they hastened their steps, keeping their eyes on both. Bart Montgomery had also seen the boy he hated coming toward him and, though he wondered what could be the reason, pretended not to notice him, and it was not until Fred hailed him, with an "I say, Bart, just a moment," that he looked in his direction. "Well?" drawled the rich bully, as his rival came closer. "I'm giving a supper to-night and I'd be obliged if you'd meet me at five instead of seven. When I set the hour this morning, I did not know about it." As Fred spoke, the other boys had formed a circle about the two and eagerly they awaited the bully's response. For a moment, Bart was on the point of refusing. Then, as Fred had hoped, he saw the chance of humiliating his rival before his friends and sneered: "_You_, giving a supper? Who's going?" "That's none of your business, Bart Montgomery. Will you meet me at five--or are you afraid to?" "_I_ afraid to meet _you_? Say, if you'll take my advice, you'll postpone your supper. You'll be more fit for bed and a doctor than a supper." This taunt drew shouts of approval from Bart's followers. "Thank you. Five it is," said Fred, ignoring the others. And he walked away to find Bronson, to whom he extended in person the invitation sent by his mother. Usually the forming of the classes and the assignment of lessons on the opening day was a period of terror for the headmaster and the instructors, but on this occasion, the boys were too excited over the outcome of the quarrel between the rivals to cause any trouble. Thus the tasks were soon completed, and the boys hastened to the campus, while Fred and Bart were spirited away by Buttons and Taffy, respectively. The scene of the combat between the rivals was a tree-enclosed patch of ground back of Hal Church's barn, beside the cattle run, and as the hour of five approached forms of boys could be seen seeking the spot cautiously, dodging out of sight at every sound.