He would have been sure of it, himself, had he been privileged to hear the talk of Bert Dodge and his companion as the enraged and humiliated pair drove swiftly over the rough road on their way back to Gridley.
"I can't think of anything bad enough to call Dick Prescott," growled Bert, who sat at the steering wheel.
"Don't try to," grumbled Bayliss.

"It would poison your mind." "The mucker!" "The sneak!" "The coward! He fights only when he has his gang with him." "I don't see what the high school fellows can find to admire in that crowd," quivered Bayliss, tenderly fingering his damaged eye.
"Never mind what anyone thinks of them!" raged Bert Dodge.

"We've nothing but our own side of the affair to settle!" "What do you mean ?" asked Bayliss curiously.
"Bayliss, what do you think I am ?" "Oh, I guess you're a pretty good sort of fellow, Bert." "Do you think I'd let business like to-night's go by without resenting it ?" "Are you going to try to take Prescott on again ?" Bayliss asked wonderingly.
"I'm not a fool!" retorted Dodge indignantly.

"Prescott might thrash me again.

Bayliss, I'm going to hit him with the kind of club that he can't beat!" "Is the club big enough to take care of Darrin, too ?" "I'm after the whole Prescott gang, for good measure!" Bert raged.
"What are you going to do ?" "I'll let you in on it, Bayliss, when I have all the details planned---if you've nerve enough to do a man's part---of which I'm not too sure," Dodge finished under his breath.
"You may count on me for anything---anything that is prudent!" Bayliss declared..