A jargon of angry cries arose, each assailant seeming desirous of
venting his especial method for showing dislike.

"Down him, boys!"

"Spank the cub!"

"Send him back where he belongs; we don't want poorhouse brats
here!"

"Do him up! Butt in, fellows! Make a clean sweep of it now!"

Among all these outcries, only that one concerning the "poorhouse"
stung the ears of the boy at bay. It was so cruel, so mean, so
utterly uncalled for, that his whole body seemed to quiver with
indignation, and a burning fire shot through his veins.

He had thrown himself into an attitude of self defense, with his
back against a tree. In this way he was able to avoid considerable
punishment, since the attacking force could not completely
surround him, the tree being an unusually big one.

[Illustration: HE HAD THROWN HIMSELF INTO AN ATTITUDE OF
SELF-DEFENSE.]

So far as he could see, there were at least half a dozen opposed
to him. Evidently Tony and Asa did not mean to take any chances
when trying to put the new candidate for honors on the regular
team out of the running.