Hector was three inches shorter, and more than as many years younger, than Jim.  But his figure was well proportioned and strongly put together, as the boys could see.  On the other hand; Jim Smith was loosely put together, and, though tall, he was not well proportioned.  His arms were long and his movements were clumsy.  His frame, however, was large, and he had considerable strength, but it had never been disciplined.  He had never learned to box, and was ignorant of the first rudiments of the art of self-defense.  But he was larger and stronger than any of his school-fellows, and he had thus far had no difficulty in overcoming opposition to his despotic rule.

The boys regarded the two combatants with intense interest.  They could see that Hector was not alarmed, and meant to defend himself.  So there was likely to be a contest, although they could not but anticipate an easy victory for the hitherto champion of the school.

Hector did not propose to make the attack.  He walked forward to a favorable place and took his stand.  The position he assumed would have assured the casual observer that he knew something of the art in which his larger antagonist was deficient.

“So you are ready to fight, are you?” said Jim.

“You can see for yourself.”

Jim rushed forward, intending to bear down all opposition.  He was whirling his long arms awkwardly, and it was clear to see that he intended to seize Hector about the body and fling him to the earth.  Had he managed to secure the grip he desired, opposition would have been vain, and he would have compassed his design.  But Hector was far too wary to allow anything of this kind.  He evaded Jim’s grasp by jumping backward, then dashing forward while his opponent was somewhat unsteady from the failure of his attempt, he dealt him a powerful blow in the face.

Jim Smith was unprepared for such prompt action.  He reeled, and came near falling.  It may safely be said, also, that his astonishment was as great as his indignation, and that was unbounded.

“So that’s your game, is it?” he exclaimed, furiously.  “I’ll pay you for this, see if I don’t.”

Hector did not reply.  He did not propose to carry on the battle by words.  Already the matter had come to a sterner arbitrament, and he stood on the alert, all his senses under absolute control, watching his big antagonist, and, from the expression of his face, seeking to divine his next mode of attack.  He had this advantage over Jim, that he was cool and collected, while Jim was angry and rendered imprudent by his anger.  Notwithstanding his first repulse, he did not fully understand that the new boy was a much more formidable opponent than he anticipated.  Nor did he appreciate the advantage which science gives over brute force.  He, therefore, rushed forward again, with the same impetuosity as before, and was received in precisely the same way.  This time the blood started from his nose and coursed over his inflamed countenance, while Hector was still absolutely unhurt.