Mr. Henshaw, who for the first time seemed to realize the situation,
looked surprised, as he gazed from one to the other.

Disliking to raise a fuss Jack remained silent at first, but he felt bound
to say:

"I was first at the office, and I claim--" "You'd claim the earth, as far
as that is concerned, you miserable chick of nobody!" broke in Offut.

The last was more than Jack could stand, and stepping quickly forward, he
cried: "Stop, Fret Offut! you have said enough. I don't want any quarrel
with you, but I am as good as you."

"Are yer?" demanded the fiery Offut, whose greatest delight seemed to be
in provoking a quarrel. "I can lick you out of your boots, and I will do
it before I will let you get in here." By this time Mr. Henshaw, a rather
rough man, as slow as he was of comprehension, was interested in the
dispute, and not averse to encouraging sport of the kind, he said:

"That's it, boys; fight it out. I'll hire the lad that downs the other."

"Then the job is as good as mine!" cried Fret Offut, rushing at Jack with
great bluster and no regard to fairness.




Chapter II