Dick was not quite quick enough in getting away, however, and received a blow on the chest, which he did not mind, much. Then Dutton closed in, and both boys exchanged several severe blows, but Dick had the best of it, for he had taken boxing lessons from an experienced instructor at home.
"Go in and do him!" called Dutton's friends.
"Stand up to him, Dick," advised Paul, in low tones at the conclusion of the first round. "You've got him going."
Dutton tried to be calm as he came up the second time, but he speedily lost his temper, as he saw how easily Dick parried his blows.
"Why don't you stand up and fight?" he asked.
"Why don't you hit me?" retorted Dick, as he tapped his antagonist on the nose, making it bleed slightly.
"I'll pay you for that!" cried Dutton, rushing forward.
"Not so loud!" cautioned Stiver. "You'll bring some of the professors down on us."
Once more Dick dodged a straight left hander, and, in return, sent in a terrific right, that caught Dutton on the point of the jaw. The cadet went down like a log, and lay still.
"You've knocked him out, Hamilton," remarked one of the older cadets, who acted as referee. "I congratulate you."
"Yes, he fought well," added another, but there was no heartiness in his tones, and, to Dick,
