Forgetful of possible customers, the boys quickly formed a ring, andyelled and hooted at the antagonists, cheering first one and then theother. But the contest was an unequal one. The white-headed boy was thebigger and stronger of the two and plucky as Tode was, he would havebeen severely treated had not the affair been ended by the appearanceof a policeman who speedily separated the combatants.

"What's all this row about?" he demanded, sharply, as he looked fromTode's bleeding face to the gigantic fellow's bruised eye.

"He took my beat. I've sold papers here for three months," cried Tode,angrily.

"What _you_ got to say?" The policeman turned to the other.

"He give it up. He ain't sold a paper here for a week past," growledCarrots.

"Whose beat is it?" The man turned to the other childs as he asked thequestion.

"Reckon it's Tode's."

"He's o'ny been layin' off fer a spell."

"It's Tode's sure 'nough."