"Stop! I didn't trip you!" exclaimed Sam; and then as Tubbs aimed
another blow at him he ducked and broke loose and hit out in return. His
blow was harder and more truly aimed than he had anticipated, and it
took Tubbs directly on the nose. A spurt of blood followed, accompanied
by a yell of pain, and the rich youth fell back.

"Oh! oh! My nose!"

"You brought it on yourself," retorted Sam. "I didn't----"

"Stop! stop! Boys, what does this mean?" came in a sudden stern voice,
and in a moment more the two combatants found themselves confronted by
Jasper Grinder, a new teacher. "Fighting, eh? How often, must you be
told that such disgraceful conduct is not allowed here? You come with
me, and I'll make an example of both of you."

And in a moment more the two lads found themselves prisoners in Jasper
Grinder's strong grasp and being marched out of the gymnasium toward the
school building proper.




CHAPTER II.

A GLIMPSE AT THE PAST.


As old readers of this series of books know, the Rover boys were three