"You hulking, stupid, cowardly bully,"-- here Barker seized him, and every word brought a tremendous blow on the head, but blind with passion Eric went on--"you despicable bully, I won't touch that cap again, you shall pick it up yourself.

Duncan, Russell, here! do help me against this intolerable brute." Several boys ran up, but they were all weaker than Barker, who besides was now in a towering fury, and kicked Eric unmercifully.
"Leave him alone," shouted Duncan, "or by heaven I'll get you a sound thrashing from some fellow." "I won't; mind your own business," growled Barker, shaking himself free from Duncan's hand.
"Barker, I'll never speak to you again from this day," said Montagu, turning on his heel with a look of withering contempt.
"What do I care?
puppy, you want taking down too," was the reply, and some more kicks at Eric followed.
"Barker, I won't stand this any longer," said Russell; and seizing him by the arm, he dealt him a swinging blow on the face.
The bully stood in amazement, and dropped Eric, who fell on the turf nearly fainting, and bleeding at the nose.

But now Russell's turn came, and in a moment Barker, who was twice his weight, had tripped him up, when he found himself collared in an iron grasp.
There had been an unobserved spectator of the whole scene, in the person of Mr.Williams himself, and it was his strong hand that now griped Barker's shoulder.

He was greatly respected by the boys, who all knew his tall handsome figure by sight, and he frequently stood a quiet and pleased observer of their games.

The boys in the playground came crowding round, and Barker in vain struggled to escape.