twelve o'clock
The mere mention of such a thing would assuredly raise a howl of derision from the other boys , and even Teter Johnston would no doubt ask contemptuously if `` he was going to back out of it in that way . '' No , no ; he must take the chances of his parents ' approval , and likewise -- and here came in the third difficulty -- of Dr. Johnston 's also , for he could not help wondering what the doctor would think when he heard of it , as he was certain to do . Thus perplexed and bewildered , the morning dragged slowly along for Bert , who would one moment be wishing that recess time could be postponed indefinitely , and the next , impatient for its arrival . At length twelve o'clock struck , and the boys , who were by this time all fully aware of what was in the wind , crowded out into the yard and quickly formed a ring in the corner farthest away from the schoolroom . Into this ring presently stepped Rod Graham , looking very jaunty and defiant , supported by Harry Rawdon , the fly catcher , the one friend he had in the school . A moment later came Bert Lloyd , pale but determined , with Teter and Frank on either side of him , Frank wearing an expression that said as plainly as possible : `` Whip my friend Bert , if you dare . '' It is neither necessary nor expedient to go into the details of the fight , which did not last very long .