"Well, I wouldn't give up--not as long as I had any backbone left. Just make up your mind from this minute on that you won't touch another drop of any kind, no matter who offers it. Don't say to yourself, 'Oh, I'll take a little now and then, and let it go at that.' Break off clean and clear,--and keep away from all places where liquor is sold."
"Yes, but----" Plum's voice was as hopeless as before.
"No 'buts' about it, Gus. I want you to make a man of yourself. You can do it if you'll only try. Won't you try?--for your own sake--for my sake--for the honor of Oak Hall? Say yes, and then thrust liquor out of your mind forever--don't even let yourself think of it. Get interested in your studies, in skating, boating, gymnastics, baseball,--anything. Before you know it, you'll have a death grip on that habit and it will have to die."
"I do. Why, look at it--some men right down in the gutter have reformed, and they didn't possess any more backbone than you. All you want to do is to exert your will power. Fight the thing just as you used to fight me and some of the other fellows, and let that fight be one to a finish. Now, come, what do you say?"
"I'll fight!" cried Gus Plum, leaping to his feet and with a new light shining in his eyes. "I'll fight! Oh, Dave, you're a wonderful fellow, to put new backbone in me! I felt I had to give up--that I couldn't win out, that everything was against me. Now I'll do as you say. I won't even think of liquor again, and I won't go where I can get it."
"Give me your hand on that, Gus." The pair shook hands. "Now let us continue our skate. Perhaps we'll meet Shadow and Chip. I know they'll be glad to hear of what you intend to do. They want you to turn over a new leaf just as much as I do. And after this, take my advice and drop Link Merwell."
"I'll do it. As I said, I never cared much for him."
The two left the spot where the conversation had ensued and skated up the river for a considerable distance. As they disappeared another youth stole forth from behind some bushes near by and skated off in the opposite direction. The youth was Link Merwell.
"So that was the trouble with Gus Plum last night, and that is what he has got to say about me!" muttered the bully, savagely. "Well, I am glad I know so much of his history--it may come useful some time! He may get under Dave Porter's wing, but I am not done with him yet--nor done with Porter either!"