"I'm all ready, whenever it suits your convenience," replied Bobby.

"Just come out here and take it in fair fight," continued Tom, who
could not help bullying, even in the midst of his misfortune.

"No, I thank you; I don't want to fight with any fellow. I will not
fight if I can help it."

"What did you hit me for, then?"

"In self-defence."

"Just come out here, and try it fair?"

"No;" and Bobby hurried home, leaving the bully astonished, and
discomfited by the winding up of the morning's sport.




CHAPTER III.

IN WHICH THE LITTLE BLACK HOUSE IS BOUGHT BUT NOT PAID FOR.

Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that
Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they
would be happy to cultivate. Perhaps by this time they have become so
far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what
they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.