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diff --git a/42049.txt b/42049.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 016f58f..0000000 --- a/42049.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10627 +0,0 @@ - FRANK MERRIWELL'S CHAMPIONS - - - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost -no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - - -Title: Frank Merriwell's Champions - All In The Game -Author: Burt L. Standish -Release Date: February 08, 2013 [EBook #42049] -Language: English -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S CHAMPIONS -*** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net. - - - - - - FRANK MERRIWELL'S CHAMPIONS - - OR - - All in the Game - - - BY - - BURT L. STANDISH - - Author of the famous _Merriwell Stories_. - - - STREET & SMITH CORPORATION - - PUBLISHERS - - 79-89 Seventh Avenue, New York - - - - - Copyright, 1904 - - By STREET & SMITH - - Frank Merriwell's Champions - - All rights reserved, including that of translation into - foreign languages, including the Scandinavian. - - - - -Contents - - - CHAPTER I--FRANK AND HIS FRIENDS - CHAPTER II--THE LAKE LILY ATHLETIC CLUB - CHAPTER III--SHOOTING AT THE DISK OF GOLD - CHAPTER IV--BRUCE BROWNING'S ADVENTURE - CHAPTER V--HAMMOND'S PLOT - CHAPTER VI--NELL RETURNS A KINDNESS - CHAPTER VII--BY THE WATERS OF LAKE LILY - CHAPTER VIII--A FAIR GUIDE - CHAPTER IX--THE VALIANT DUTCH BOY - CHAPTER X--NELL'S LETTER - CHAPTER XI--A TRAITOR AND A SPY - CHAPTER XII--HARLOW'S DISCOMFITURE - CHAPTER XIII--AGAINST ODDS - CHAPTER XIV--FRANK AND ELSIE - CHAPTER XV--A BOXING MATCH - CHAPTER XVI--THE CLUB MEETING - CHAPTER XVII--THE EIGHT-OAR SHELL - CHAPTER XVIII--THE RACE - CHAPTER XIX--A RESCUE ON THE ROAD - CHAPTER XX--AT SPRINGBROOK FARM - CHAPTER XXI--TWO ENCOUNTERS - CHAPTER XXII--HANS USES THE HOSE - CHAPTER XXIII--CHOICE OF PONIES - CHAPTER XXIV--THE FIRST GO - CHAPTER XXV--THE END OF THE GAME - CHAPTER XXVI--BEFORE THE HUNT - CHAPTER XXVII--THE HUNT - CHAPTER XXVIII--A CHANGE OF SCENE - CHAPTER XXIX--FRANK MEETS DEFEAT - CHAPTER XXX--FRANK EXPRESSES HIS OPINION - CHAPTER XXXI--THE FIRST BLOW - CHAPTER XXXII--A SURPRISE PARTY - CHAPTER XXXIII--A GIRL'S REMORSE - CHAPTER XXXIV--A FIGHT AGAINST ODDS - CHAPTER XXXV--MERRIWELL'S CLOSE CALL - CHAPTER XXXVI--AN EXPLOSION COMING - CHAPTER XXXVII--THE LAST BLOW--CONCLUSION - - - - - Frank Merriwell's Champions - - - - -CHAPTER I--FRANK AND HIS FRIENDS - - -Ping! pang! crash! - -Frank Merriwell, making a sharp turn in a narrow mountain path, felt his -bicycle strike something which gave under his weight with a snapping, -musical sound, and almost precipitated him over the handle bars of his -machine. - -Bart Hodge, who was close behind, checked himself with difficulty, and -sang out: - -"What's wrong, Frank?" - -"Smashed a music box, I guess," answered Frank, leaping down and coming -back. - -In single file behind Frank Merriwell and his chum, Bart Hodge, came the -other members of the bicycle party--fat and lazy Bruce Browning; the -gallant Virginian, Jack Diamond; merry-hearted Harry Rattleton; the -Yankee youth, Ephraim Gallup; the Dutch boy, Hans Dunnerwust; the lad -with Irish blood in his veins and a brogue to boot, Barney Mulloy, and -Toots, the colored boy, who when at home worked around the Merriwell -homestead. - -In the previous volumes of this series we have related how Frank and his -Yale chums started out from college for a tour on wheels to San -Francisco. This great journey was safely accomplished, and now the boys -were on their way to the East once more. They had journeyed in various -ways through California, Texas, Missouri, Kentucky and other States, and -had now reached the mountain region in the southwestern part of -Virginia. They had left the railroad at the entrance to the valley, and -were now journeying by a little-used path to the pretty little summer -resort of Glendale, situated by the side of a lake near the top of the -Blue Ridge range. - -A view of Glendale and the lake, which was known as Lake Lily, had been -given them a minute before, at the top of a rise, as they were about to -plunge into the bit of woodland, where the path made its short turn and -brought to Merriwell the accident just mentioned. - -The attractiveness of the view was not lessened to Frank Merriwell and -his friends by the rustic cottages stretching along the shores of the -lake and the flag that floated above them, proclaiming the place the -summer camp of the Lake Lily Athletic Club. - -"It's a violin," Frank regretfully announced, picking up the instrument -that had been crushed by his wheel and holding it for the others to see. -"I don't----" - -His words were checked by a movement in the bushes, and a youth of -nineteen or twenty pushed himself into view. He wore an outing suit of -blue flannel, and a white straw hat that well became him rested on his -abundant brown hair. He was tall and straight as a pine, with a dark -face that might have been pleasant in repose, but was now distorted by -anger. - -"You did that!" he cried, facing Merriwell. "That is my violin, and you -have crushed and ruined it. What business had you coming up this path, -anyhow? This is a private path!" - -"If this is your violin, I must confess that I seem to have damaged it -pretty badly," returned Merriwell, retaining his composure, in spite of -the biting tone in which he was addressed. "As to the path being a -private one, I am not so sure of that. At any rate, I did not run into -your violin on purpose. It occurs to me that a path such as this, -whether it is public or private, is not a place where one expects to -come on musical instruments, and that you are somewhat to blame for -placing it there. However, I assure you I am----" - -"You will pay for the violin, and a good round sum, too!" asserted the -youth, doubling up his fists and advancing toward Frank, who stood -beside his wheel, holding the broken instrument. "This woodland belongs -to my father, and no one has a right to come up the path except members -of our club. If you hadn't been trespassing, you wouldn't have run into -the violin!" - -"I was going to assure you of my regret at having damaged the -instrument, and of course I am willing to do whatever is right to make -good your loss," Merriwell continued, smiling lightly and deceptively. -"But I still insist that a place like this is no spot for you or any one -else to leave a violin. I presume you speak of the athletic club down by -the lake?" - -The youth's face showed scorn now, as well as anger. - -"Those Lilywhites? Not on your life I don't! I was speaking of the Blue -Mountain Athletic Club. Our cottages are right back here among the -trees. You can see them from that bend. As for the violin, I was playing -it a while ago, and jumped and left it here when one of the boys called -me, expecting to come back in a minute----" - -Again there was a movement in the bushes, with the sound of hurrying -feet, and a voice shouted: - -"Hello, Hammond! What's the matter out there?" - -Then half a dozen boys, attired like the owner of the violin, hurried -into view. - -Merriwell's friends crowded closer to him when they saw this array of -force, and Rattleton was heard to mutter something about Frank's -punching the violinist's head. - -"I don't think there is any need of a quarrel here," declared Jack -Diamond, pushing forward. "Here, you fellows! I've been bragging all day -to Merriwell and my other friends about the big-heartedness of the -people of Virginia. I'm a Virginian myself, and I believed what I said. -I hope you won't insist on doing anything that will make me want to eat -my words!" - -The statement was not without effect. - -"He must pay me for the violin!" growled Hammond. "I can't afford to -have an instrument like that smashed into kindling, and just let it go -at that. As for this land, it is my father's, and very few people -besides members of our club go along the path." - -"Then the path is not wholly private?" queried Frank. "I am glad to know -that." - -"And he as good as said he was to blame for leaving the thing where he -did!" exclaimed Harry Rattleton. "I don't think he is entitled to a -cent." - -"Come, come!" begged Diamond, again assuming the part of peacemaker, -though he was raging inwardly at the belligerent Virginia boys. "We -expect to stop a few days in Glendale, and we can't afford to be -anything but your friends, you know. What is the violin worth?" - -"A hundred dollars!" Hammond announced, though in reality the instrument -had cost him only twenty. "I doubt if I could get another as good for -double that sum." - -"I don't want to quarrel with you," said Merriwell, "and I won't, unless -I'm driven to it. I'm willing to settle this thing in one way, and in -one way only. We will pick three disinterested persons who know -something about violins. Let them set a value on the instrument. You -stand half the loss for carelessly leaving it in a path which, by your -admission, is not wholly private, and I will stand the other half for -what I did." - -"Thot's talk, Merry, me b'y!" shouted Barney Mulloy, who was itching for -a "scrap" with these campers. - -Hammond gave Barney a quick glance of hate. - -"I'll do nothing of the kind," he asserted, turning again to Frank. "You -pay me a hundred dollars, or I'll have it out of your hide!" - -"Oh, you will, will you?" said Merriwell, facing him, and laughing -lightly. "Jump right in, whenever you are ready to begin!" - -One of Hammond's followers, seeing that, in spite of the lightness of -his manner, Frank Merriwell meant to fight, caught Hammond by the -shoulders and drew him back. - -"Let me at him!" cried Hammond, becoming furious in an instant, and -making a seeming attempt to break away from his friend. "Let me go, I -tell you! I'll pound the face off him!" - -"Let him go, as he is so anxious!" laughed Merriwell. "I'm willing he -shall begin the pounding at once." - -At this, another of Hammond's friends took hold of him, not liking the -looks of Merriwell's backers, and the two began to force the enraged lad -through the screen of bushes in the direction of the invisible camp. - -"Here is his violin," said Merriwell, tossing it after them. "I am sorry -I ran into it, and am willing to do whatever is fair. When he is in the -same frame of mind, let him come down to the hotel at the village, and -we will try to talk the thing over amicably. I will be his friend, if he -will let me; or his enemy, if he prefers it that way!" - - - - -CHAPTER II--THE LAKE LILY ATHLETIC CLUB - - -Frank Merriwell's party was scarcely installed in the Blue Ridge Hotel -when two visitors were announced. They proved to be a delegation from -the Lake Lily Athletic Club. - -"We heard of your arrival only a little while ago, and we came straight -up," said one, speaking to Merriwell, who had risen from his piazza -chair to greet them. "My name is Septimus Colson--Sep for short--and -this is my friend, Philip Tetlow." - -"I am very glad to meet you, Mr. Colson--and you, Mr. Tetlow," answered -Merriwell, who then proceeded to introduce himself and his friends to -the callers. - -Colson and Tetlow were sunburned youths of seventeen or -eighteen--keen-looking, intelligent fellows, attired in outing suits. - -"You'll excuse us for the call," begged Colson, "but you see it's this -way: We've got those cottages down there, with the flag flying over -them, and hardly anybody in them. The cottages aren't much to brag of in -the way of looks, but they are comfortable." - -"And you want us to help you occupy them?" laughed Merriwell. - -"Yes, and help us do up the Blue Mountain fellows!" - -Barney Mulloy and Harry Rattleton hitched their chairs nearer. - -"Do you be afther m'anin' thim chumps in the woods up on the mountain?" -asked Barney. "Begorra! av yez say yis to thot, Oi'm wid yez." - -"I mean the fellows of the Blue Mountain Athletic Club," said Colson. "A -week ago they sent us challenges, which we accepted, but which we must -back down from unless your party is willing to join in and aid us. You -see, we had sixteen boys in the camp at that time. Now we have only -five. The others, who came from the same town down by the coast, had to -leave because of sickness in their homes." - -"How many boys are in the Blue Mountain Club?" inquired Jack Diamond. - -"Well, there are fourteen besides Ward Hammond, who is their leader. -They are already crowing over us in a way we don't like, because they -think we can't meet them." - -"Are they summer visitors?" asked Rattleton. - -"Some of them are. The others belong here in the village. Hammond was -brought up here, and his father owns a good deal of land in these -mountains. He hasn't a very good name, though, and is not well liked. -I've been told that he's related by blood to some of these fighting -mountaineers, but I don't know how true that is. When you meet him, you -will notice that he has the tall, lank appearance of a mountaineer." - -"We've met him!" grunted Browning. - -"About challenges. What is their character?" questioned Merriwell. - -"The arrangements were for an archery shoot, day after to-morrow, with a -swimming match on the lake the next day, and that to be followed by a -mountain-climbing contest." - -Colson looked hopefully at Merriwell and his companions. - -"You must not say 'no' to our invitation," he insisted. "You'll find it -much pleasanter in our cottages down by the lake than in this hotel, and -we need you! We want you to join our club. It is perfectly legitimate, -for we're allowed to recruit from anywhere. As I said, a number of the -Blue Mountain boys--more than half of them, I think--do not have their -homes in Glendale." - -"What do you say, fellows?" questioned Merriwell, turning toward his -companions. - -"Av it's thim chumps upon the hill!" exclaimed Barney Mulloy. - -Merriwell nodded. - -"I think I'd like that, by thutter!" declared Ephraim Gallup. - -"You pets my poots, dot voult pe a bicnic!" asserted Hans Dunnerwust, -the jolly-looking Dutch boy. - -The others assented, each after his own peculiar manner. - -"When do you want us to come down?" asked Frank. - -"Right now, this minute, if you will!" cried Colson's companion, who had -hitherto maintained a grave silence. "It's lonesome as a graveyard down -there. And you'll want to do some practicing! Can you handle the bow and -arrow?" - -Philip Tetlow's face lighted up with such fine enthusiasm, and his -delight was so manifest, that Frank could hardly restrain a laugh. - -"We must see the landlord of the hotel first," said Merriwell, "for we -have already registered here, and he may interpose objections to our -summary leave-taking. But you may count on it that we will be with you -without much delay." - -Two hours later, Merriwell and the entire Yale Combine were snugly -installed in the cottages of the Lake Lily Athletic Club. - -"I'm afraid I'm going to have another one of those infernal chills," -grumbled Browning, as, with a blanket drawn over him, he reclined in a -hammock and looked across the water toward the village. "I guess I shall -never get that Arkansas malaria out of my system, though I've taken -enough quinine to start a drug store." - -Rattleton cast a look of mock anxiety at the rather flimsy walls. - -"I say, Browning, when you get to shaking right good, as you did that -other time, you'll have your cot put out under the trees, won't you? -Just for the safety of the rest of us, you know." - -"No, I won't!" Browning growled. "If I bring the house down on myself, -like old Samson, it will delight me to bury all the rest of you in the -ruins." - -"Say, fellows," cried the irrepressible Rattleton, "why is Browning like -a member of a certain well-known religious organization?" - -"Oh, go chase yourself out of here!" begged Bruce. "I'm already sick, -and your weak jokes make me sicker." - -"It's because he's a Shaker." - -Browning groaned and turned his face toward the wall. - -"Won't some one kindly kill that idiot for me?" he pleaded. - -Frank Merriwell came into the room, holding a handsome lancewood bow and -a sheaf of arrows. - -"If we are going to meet Ward Hammond and his Blue Mountain boys day -after to-morrow," he said, surveying the lounging group, "it strikes me -that it would be well for the new members of Lake Lily Athletic Club to -get in a little archery practice." - -To this there was a general assent, and the entire party prepared to -leave the room, with the exception of Bruce Browning, who shivered and -drew the blanket closer about him as they got up to go. - -Out by the lake there was a level stretch of greensward. Here a target -had been set up, and the members of the club had practiced at archery. - -Both the new and the old members of the Lake Lily Athletic Club -practiced with the bow so faithfully in the limited time given them that -when they climbed to the archery ground on the wooded crest of Blue -Mountain they felt that they would be able to give Ward Hammond and his -friends a hard contest, if nothing more, though Hammond had been heard -publicly to declare that the Lilywhites' new members would add nothing -to the strength of the club. - -The spot was an ideal one, and commanded a view of the lake and the -town. A glade, covered with short grass, opened on the side toward the -village, being flanked by wooded slopes. Near at hand were the cottages -of the Blue Mountain Club. They were handsomer and more expensive than -those of the other club, but not more comfortable. Across one corner of -the glade, and dipping down into the dark woods, ran the path on which -Merriwell's bicycle had collided with and crushed the violin. - -Ward Hammond and his companions were already on the ground, and Hammond -was looking at his watch as Merriwell's party came up. - -"I didn't know but you fellows had backed out," he declared, with a -sneer, snapping the gold case together and dropping the watch into his -pocket. - -Jack Diamond flushed and pulled out his own timepiece. - -"We've ten minutes to spare, if my watch is right!" he asserted. - -"Of course your watch is right!" was the suggestive retort. - -"I hope you don't mean to insinuate that I turned my watch back for any -reason," said Diamond, gulping down his growing anger. - -"You ought to know that I wouldn't insinuate such a thing against any -member of the Lilywhites?" Hammond sarcastically purred, but in softer -tones. - -Frank Merriwell was stringing his bow and glancing off toward the -target. It was a thirty-pound lancewood bow, with horn notches at the -tips, a handsome bow, and a good one, as he had reason to know. - -The target was set at a supposed distance of sixty yards from the -archers. It was a flat, circular pad of twisted straw, four feet in -diameter, and it was faced with cloth, on which was painted a central -yellow disk, called the gold. Around this disk was drawn a band of red, -and next to it a band of blue, then one of black, and finally one of -white. - -"I suppose you understand how the scores are to be counted?" inquired -Hammond, glad to change the subject, for he did not like the look that -had come into Diamond's dark face. "A hit in the gold counts nine, in -the red seven, in the blue five, in the black three, and in the white -one." - -"And if you miss the gol darned thing altogether?" drawled the boy from -Vermont. - -"You'll likely lose an arrow somewhere down there in the woods," Hammond -laughed. - -Craig Carter, a sinewy lad of about seventeen, Hammond's most intimate -friend and admirer, stepped forward with drawn bow and placed himself in -readiness to shoot, as his name came first on the list. - -"We're not ready yet," objected Merriwell, noting the action and again -glancing toward the target. "The distance hasn't been measured." - -"We measured it before you came," said Hammond, with an uneasy look. - -"It is only fair that it should be measured in our presence," continued -Frank. "Errors can happen, you know, and as the rules call for sixty -yards and we have been practicing for that we don't want to run any -risks by shooting at any other distance." - -No one knew better than Ward Hammond how essential it is in archery -shooting to know the exact distance that is to be shot over. - -Hammond's uneasiness seemed to communicate itself to other members of -the Blue Mountain Athletic Club. - -"Get the tape measure," Hammond commanded, addressing Craig Carter. - -Carter gave his bow and arrows to another member of the club and hurried -into one of the cottages. From this cottage he was seen to rush into -another and then another, and came back in a few moments with the -announcement that the distance would have to be stepped, as somehow the -tape measure had been mislaid and he could not find it. - -Harry Rattleton promptly drew a tape measure from one of his pockets. - -"You will find that this is as true as a die," he asserted, smilingly -passing it to Hammond. "Stretch it across the ground there, and I'll -help you do the measuring, if you're willing." - -"Certainly," said Hammond, critically eying the tape. "You will do as -well as any one." - -Rattleton took one end of the line and ran with it out toward the -target, and Hammond put the other on the ground. Rattleton marked the -point, and Hammond moved up to it. - -"The distance is five yards too short," Rattleton announced, when the -measurement had been made. - -"This line is not right," declared Hammond, white with inward rage. - -"Send to the village and get another, then," said Merriwell. "A dozen if -you like. Or take another look for your own." - -"Of course we'll set the target where you say it ought to be," fumed -Hammond, who had hoped to take a mean advantage, which had been -prevented by the true eye of Frank Merriwell. - -What made the discovery so bitter to Hammond was the knowledge that he -had injured the chances of himself and his friends in the contest, for -they had done nearly all of their practicing at the false distance. His -attempted cheating had recoiled on his own head. - -Craig Carter again took his bow and stepped forward to shoot. He held -himself easily and gracefully and drew the arrow to the head with a -steady hand. - -Whir-r-r--thud! - -The shaft, in its whirring course through the air, arose higher than the -top of the target, but dropped lower just before it hit, and struck in -the pad of twisted straw with a dull thud. - -"Five--in the blue!" called the marker, coming out from behind the tree -where he had screened himself, and drawing the arrow from the target. - -"Heavens! Can't I do better than that?" Carter growled. - -Sep Colson had the lists of the members of the two clubs, and he called -Jack Diamond's name next. - -Diamond stepped forward confidently and let his arrow fly. - -"In the blue--five!" announced the marker. - -"Well, it's a tie, anyway!" said Diamond, with a disappointed laugh. - -"By chaowder, it ain't so derned easy to hit that air thing as it might -be!" drawled Gallup. "I think I'd stand a heap sight better show to -strike gold with a shovel an' pick in Alasky." - -Dan Matlock, one of the boys of the Blue Mountain Club, came next, and -then Hans Dunnerwust's name was called. - -"Shoost you vatch me!" cried the roly-poly Dutch boy, as he advanced and -spat on his hands before taking up the bow. "I pet you your life I -preaks der recort." - -There was a howl of derision at this from the Blue Mountain boys, and -even the Dutch boy's friends joined in the laugh. - -"Vell, you may laugh at dot uf you don't vant to," he exclaimed, "put -maype you don't laugh on der oder side your mouts uf pime-py. Ged avay -oudt! I vas goin' to shoot der arrow oudt mit dot golt, py shimminy, und -don'd you vorgid me!" - -He drew the bow slowly up to his face, shut one eye and squinted along -the arrow. Then he put the bow down, with a triumphant laugh. - -"Who vas id say to me avhile ago dot dis pow veigh dirty pounds, yet -alretty? Vy, id can lift me like id vos an infant." - -"Go on and shoot," said Merriwell. "The bow doesn't weigh thirty pounds. -It takes a thirty-pound pull to bend it. That's why it is called a -thirty-pound bow." - -"So, dot vos id, eh?" queried Dunnerwust, looking the bow over -curiously. "Id dakes dirty pounds to bent me! Vell, here I vos go ag'in. -Look oudt eferypoty." - -His fingers slipped from the arrow and the bowstring twanged -prematurely. - -This was followed by a howl from Toots, who dropped to the ground and -began to roll over as if in great agony. - - - - -CHAPTER III--SHOOTING AT THE DISK OF GOLD - - -"Oh, mah goodness, I's done killed!" Toots gurgled. "I's done shot clean -through de haid. O-oh, Lordy! Oh, mah soul!" - -"Poly hoker!" gasped Rattleton, who saw the arrow sticking in the -colored boy's cap, which was lying on the ground. "I'm afraid he is hurt -this time." - -Frank leaped to Toots' side and lifted him to his feet. - -Hans Dunnerwust had dropped the bow and stood staring at his work, his -round cheeks the color of ashes. - -"You're not hurt!" exclaimed Merriwell, after a hasty examination, -giving the colored boy a shake to bring him to his senses. "The arrow -cut through your cap and scratched the skin on the top of your head, but -you are not hurt. Stand up, now, and stop your howling!" - -Toots sank to a camp chair, and made a sickly attempt at a grin. - -"Wo-oh!" he gasped. "It meks me have de fevah an' chillins jes' lack -Mistah Browning to fink about an arrum stickin' frough mah haid. I bet -yo' fo' dollars I don't git hit no mo'! I'll git behind dem shooters de -nex' time." - -"But Dunnerwust is just as liable to shoot backwards as forwards," -declared Rattleton, who was ready for a laugh, now that he knew Toots -was unhurt. "He's like the cross-eyed man. You can't be sure that he's -going to shoot in the direction he looks." - -"Handle that bow with a little more care, Hans," Merriwell cautioned. -"We don't want to have anybody killed here this afternoon." - -Hans reluctantly took up the bow and prepared for another effort, but -the mishap seemed to have taken the energy out of him, and the arrow did -not fly as far as the target. - -Ephraim Gallup came forward in his turn with a queer grin on his thin, -homely face. - -"Gol darned if I don't feel ez if I could shoot this thing clean through -that old tree!" he muttered, as he fitted an arrow to the bow. "Do you -shoot at the thing, er over it?" - -"Over it," said Merriwell. "In shooting so great a distance you must -allow for the trajectory, or curve. If you don't, your arrow will drop -below." - -Merriwell smiled as he said this, for he had already given Gallup -careful instructions and had seen the boy from Vermont make some good -shots. - -Though Gallup stood in an awkward position, he drew the arrow with care. -It was seen to strike near the center of the target, and then the marker -called: - -"In the red--seven." - -"Good for you!" cried Diamond. "That's two better than I did." - -"Somebody's got to hustle ef they beat us this day, an' don't yeou -fergit it," said Gallup, that queer grin still on his face. - -Ward Hammond faced the target with a confident air. He was a good shot -with the bow, and was well aware of the fact. - -"In the gold--nine!" cried the marker, as Hammond's arrow struck, and -then the Blue Mountain boys sent up a cheer. - -Merriwell followed, and let slip the arrow with a steady hand. - -"In the gold--nine!" cried the marker, again, almost before Hammond's -friends had ceased their cheering, and then it was the turn of -Merriwell's followers. - -Toots would not shoot, excusing himself by saying he knew he would kill -somebody if he did, and when Dunnerwust came again to the scratch there -was a cautious widening of the semicircle gathered about the archers. - -Hans came near shooting himself, this time, for the arrow slipped, while -he was trying to fit it to the string, and flew skyward, past his nose. - -"Look oudt!" Hans squawked. "Uf dot comes down your head on, I vill ged -hurt!" - -It fell near Gallup, who stepped nimbly to one side as it descended. - -"Look here, b'jee!" he growled. "If you've got a grutch agin' me, say -so, but don't go shootin' arrers at me zif you was an' Injun an' me a -Pilgrum Father." - -"Oxcuse me!" supplicated the Dutch boy. "Dot string slipped der arrow py -ven I dry to fix him. Shust eferypoty stant avay off, now, so I vill nod -ged hurted." - -The semicircle widened this time to a very respectable distance. Hans -spat on his hands, grasped the plush handle in the middle of the bow, -fitted the arrow and drew it down with exceeding care. When he had -sighted with his open right eye till every one was growing impatient, he -let the bowstring slip. - -"In the white--one!" shouted the marker. - -In all his practice Hans had never before struck an arrow in the target, -and he was so pleased now that he fairly hugged himself with delight. - -"Vot vos id you tolt me?" he cried, in great elation. "We peen goin' to -vin dis game so easy as falling a log off!" - -"Yes, it's won!" said Hammond, with a perceptible sneer. "There is no -doubt, Dutchy, that you're a shooter from Shootville. If you hit the -white again, it will count two." - -"You pet yourselluf der v'ite vill hid me so many as sixdeen dimes -alretty!" cried Hans, stung by the sneer. - -Hammond struck the gold again, but Merriwell got only the red. Twice -this was repeated; after which Merriwell put his arrow in the gold three -times in succession, while Hammond dropped to the red, and once to the -blue, which last counted only five. - -It quickly developed that there were good archers on both sides, and the -contest waxed hot. Diamond, Rattleton and Gallup shot well, as did also -Colson and Tetlow. Six times the yellow-haired, big-jointed boy from -Vermont put his arrow in the gold, though he faced the target so -awkwardly that it did not seem possible he could handle a bow at all. - -As for Browning, he had been left at the camp, muffled up in a blanket -and in the grip of another chill. - -"I didn't learn to knock the sparrers out o' dad's old barn with a bow -an' arrer fer nuthin'!" Gallup grinned, when some one praised his -marksmanship. - -In addition to Ward Hammond, Craig Carter, of the Blue Mountain boys, -shot excellently, as did also Dan Matlock and some half dozen others. - -The contest grew hotter and hotter. The club scores--the average scores -of the combined membership of each club--ran very evenly, and as the -shoot drew toward its close, the count of the club scores showed five in -favor of the boys of Lake Lily, with Ward Hammond's score three more -than Merriwell's, and the best that had been made. - -"Don't l'ave him bate yez, Merry, me b'y!" Barney Mulloy whispered. - -"You may be sure I'll do my best, Barney," responded Merriwell, -compressing his lips as he stepped again to the line and took up the -bow. - -"Seven--in the red!" cried the marker. - -Then, as Ward Hammond followed: - -"Nine--in the gold!" - -There were only three more rounds, twenty-one of the twenty-four rounds -of the contest having been shot. - -"Here are the leading scores, as revised after that last shoot," -announced the youth who kept the score card, reading from the card, -while the excited and anxious lads gathered closely about him. "Ward -Hammond, 145; Frank Merriwell, 140." - -The Blue Mountain boys swung their caps and sent up a cheer of delight. - -Again Frank faced the target and let his arrow fly. - -"Nine--in the gold!" came the voice of the marker. - -"Good boy!" cried Harry Rattleton. "That gives you one hundred and -forty-nine. Do it another time." - -Frank Merriwell did it another time; and when the marker called "nine," -Ward Hammond became noticeably rattled, for he had made only seven in -the previous shot. - -Hammond's hands were seen to shake as he drew on the bowstring, and when -the marker called, "only five--in the blue," his dark face grew almost -colorless. - -"One more round," said the score marker. "Frank Merriwell now has 158; -Ward Hammond, 157." - -The excitement was at fever pitch as Merriwell again went forward to -shoot. - -He knew that everything depended on this last shot. If he could again -hit the gold, it would then be impossible for Hammond to beat him, for -he already led Hammond by one and Hammond could do no more than strike -the gold. Therefore he went about his preparations with the utmost -coolness and care. - -Grasping the bow in the middle with his left hand, he placed the notch -of the feathered arrow on the middle of the string with his right, -resting the shaft across the bow on the left side just above and -touching his left hand. Then, with the first three fingers of his right -hand, which were covered with leather tips to protect them, he grasped -the string and the arrow-neck. - -It was an inspiring sight just to look on Merriwell at this supreme -moment, as he stood ready to shoot. He seemed to be unconscious that -there was another person in the world. His body was gracefully erect, -his left side slightly turned toward the target, his left arm rigidly -extended, and his right hand drawing steadily on the string of the bow. -There was a shining light in his eyes and on his face a slight flush. - -The profound silence that had fallen on every one was broken by the -twang of the bowstring, by the arrow's whizzing flight and by the -audible sighs that went up as it sped on its way. - -"Nine--in the gold!" called the marker, with a thrill in his usually -monotonous voice. - -But there was no cheering, though Rattleton felt like cracking the blue -dome of the sky and his throat as well. The excitement was too intense. - -"I'll duplicate that or break the bow!" Hammond was heard to mutter. - -Merriwell walked down toward the target, anxious to observe the arrow as -it struck, a proceeding that was perfectly allowable so long as he kept -out of the archer's way. - -Diamond, who was watching Hammond, saw the latter's face darken while -the pupils of the boy's eyes seemed to contract to the size of pin -points. - -"That fellow is a regular devil," thought Diamond. "I must warn Frank to -look out or he'll be waylaid and shot by him some of these fine -evenings." - -Hammond drew the arrow to the head with a steady hand, but, just as he -released it, his foot slipped back on the grass and the arrow was -sharply deviated from the line it should have taken to reach the target. -Instead of flying toward the gold, it flew toward Merriwell. - -"Look out!" screamed Diamond, jumping to his feet. - -Merriwell had reached the narrow path that ran across the grounds and -was directly in front of a tree that stood in the path and cut off the -view toward the village. - -He heard the "whir-r-r" of the arrow, heard Diamond's cry, and dropped -to the ground on his face. - -At the same instant, the straight, lithe form of a girl of seventeen or -eighteen appeared from behind the tree. - -She was directly in the line of the arrow's flight. She, too, heard the -warning, but she did not understand it. She did not dream of peril. - -Then the arrow struck her, and, uttering a cry, she staggered backward -and went down in a heap. - - - - -CHAPTER IV--BRUCE BROWNING'S ADVENTURE - - -"Heavens, she is killed!" thought Frank, leaping up and running toward -the fallen girl. - -There were excited exclamations from the group of archers, and a sound -of hurrying footsteps. - -Frank saw the girl struggle into a sitting posture and pluck away the -arrow, which seemed to have lodged in the upper part of her left arm or -in her shoulder. Then she staggered to her feet. When he gained her side -she was trembling violently, and her thin face was as white as the face -of the dead. - -Only a glance was needed to tell him that she was the daughter of one of -the poor whites of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her dress was of faded -cotton, her shoes heavy and coarse. In one hand she clutched a calico -sunbonnet, which had dropped from her head as she fell. - -"You are hurt!" gasped Merriwell. "Will you not let me assist you in -some way?" - -She shivered and gave him a quick glance, then stared toward the lads -who were rushing in that direction. The sight galvanized her into -activity. - -"I dunno ez I've any call ter be helped!" she asserted, starting back -and giving a last look at the arrow, which lay on the grass at her feet, -where she had flung it as if it were a snake. "Leastways, I 'low ez how -I kin make my way home. I war a good 'eal more skeered than hurt." - -"But I saw the arrow strike you!" Merriwell persisted. - -She put out her hands as if to keep him from coming nearer, then sprang -back into the path, and vanished behind the tree and into the depths of -the woods before he could do aught to prevent the movement. - -"She's gone," said Frank, as the others came up on the run. "There's the -arrow. I saw her pluck it out of her arm or shoulder, but she would not -stay to explain how badly she was hurt." - -"That is Bob Thornton's girl, Nell," said Hammond, in a shaky voice. "I -hope she isn't much hurt. That was an awkward slip I made, and if I had -killed her I could never have forgiven myself." - -Merriwell gave him a quick and comprehensive glance. It was caught by -Hammond, and served to increase his agitation. - -"It was a very awkward slip, as you say, Mr. Hammond. That arrow might -have killed me. It would certainly have struck me, if I hadn't dropped -as I did." - -"Accidents will happen, you know!" pleaded Hammond. "I hope you don't -think I would do such a thing on purpose. It was a slip, just as when -Dunnerwust shot the arrow into your nigger's cap." - -He was about to say more, but checked himself, in the fear that he was -beginning to protest too much. - -"Perhaps we'd better gollow the firl--I mean follow the girl," suggested -Rattleton. "She may have tumbled down again." - -He did not wait for an order, but sprang into the path that led behind -the tree, and hurried along it, with a half dozen curious fellows at his -heels. - -It was soon evident that the girl had not stuck to the path, which would -have taken her back toward the village, but had plunged into the woods, -which in places was thick with undergrowth. - -"It's no use to follow her," said Hammond, joining the searchers. "It is -likely she will make a short cut for home, where her father probably is, -and where she can have the wound dressed. That is, if she was really -wounded, which I doubt, from her actions. Perhaps the arrow only struck -in her clothing, and frightened her. When I picked it up and examined -the point, I could see no blood on it." - -The archery contest was virtually ended, with Merriwell and the Lake -Lily Club the winners, and no one was in a hurry to go back to the -shooting ground. But it was universally conceded in a little while that -no good could be done by trying to follow one who knew the wilderness -paths as well as any deer that roamed them, for it would be impossible -to overtake her as long as she did not want to be overtaken. - -While the boys talked and speculated, Nell Thornton was hastening on -through the laurel scrub, unmindful of the stabbing pain in her -shoulder; and, at the same time, Bruce Browning, wrapped in a heavy coat -and with a handkerchief knotted about his shivering neck, was advancing -slowly and languidly up the path in the direction of the archery -grounds. - -"I'm afraid that confounded chill is coming back," Bruce grumbled, -pushing a vine out of his way, "and I suppose I was a fool for leaving -the cottage. I wish I had taken that other path, even if it is farther -around. The bushes are thick enough here to make a squirrel sick, trying -to worm through them. Hello! What does that mean?" - -Nell Thornton, who had struck into this path from the woods, came into -view, and was seen to reel and lurch like a boat in a gale. - -Browning stopped and stared. - -Then he saw her reach out to steady herself by a sapling, and sink down -in an unconscious heap. - -"By Jove! she's fainted!" he muttered, stirred by the sight. "She must -be ill or hurt! I wonder who she is?" - -He forgot his lazy lethargy, and scrambled up the path with a nimbleness -that would have been surprising to his friends, and which took him to -Nell Thornton's side in a very few moments. - -"Blood on her hand and running down her arm!" he declared, with a gasp -of astonishment. "Here's a mystery for you!" - -Nell Thornton lay with eyes closed, motionless, and seemingly without -life. To Bruce her condition appeared alarming. He lifted her head, then -let it drop back, and stood up and looked dazedly about, wondering what -he should do. He recollected that he had seen a small stream of water -trickling over the rocks a short distance below. - -"Just the thing!" he thought. "I'll carry her down there!" - -As if she were a feather weight, he lifted her in his strong arms, and -started down the path, moving in a hurry, now that his anxiety was -thoroughly aroused. - -"If the boys should see me now," he groaned, "I'd never hear the last of -it. Luckily, they'll not be apt to see me. No doubt they are whanging -away with their bows up on top of the hill. I wonder how she got hurt? -Could it have been----" - -He stopped, and stared into the thin, pallid face. - -"Could she have been hit by a wild arrow that missed the target and flew -off into the woods? Heavens! I hope not!" - -Down the steep path, slipping, sliding, maintaining his footing with -difficulty, went Bruce Browning, with Nell Thornton in his arms, until -he came to the rivulet he had seen gurgling over the rocks. There he put -her down, as tenderly as if she were a sleeping child, and sought to -make her comfortable by rolling up his coat and tucking it under her -head and shoulders. - -This done, he scooped up some of the water in his cap and began to bathe -her hands in it, and to sprinkle it in her face. - -But Nell Thornton was so slow to return to consciousness that Bruce was -about to rip up the sleeve of her dress to ascertain the nature of the -wound from which the blood still trickled, when she stirred uneasily. - -Thus encouraged, he renewed his efforts, and a little later had the -pleasure of seeing her eyes flutter open. - -She stared in a puzzled way up into his face, then tried to get on her -feet. - -"Let me help you," Bruce begged, slipping an arm beneath her head. - -"Whar--whar am I?" she demanded, putting up a hand protestingly. - -"You are hurt, and you fell in the path up there, a little while ago," -Bruce explained. "I brought you down here by the brook." - -She looked at her hand, saw the blood, and made another effort to get on -her feet. - -She succeeded this time, standing panting and wild-eyed on the rocks. - -"I'm not hurt ter speak on!" she asserted. "I 'low ez how I must hev got -dizzy-like an' fell, but I ain't hurt ter speak on." - -She seemed about to start on down the path, but checked herself, with -the feeling that perhaps something in the way of an acknowledgment was -due this handsome stranger, and continued: - -"I'm 'bleeged to you. 'Twas a acks'dent, the way it happened. I war -behint the tree, an' they didn't see me tell I stepped out, an' then the -arrer war a-comin', an' it war too late to be holped." - -"Then one of the arrows struck you, as I feared!" growled Browning. "Do -you think you are much hurt? Perhaps you had better make an examination. -The wound seems to be bleeding pretty freely." - -She drew the sleeve down, as if to hide the telltale color. - -"Plenty time fur that when I git home, which, ef I ever git thar, I'd -better be humpin' myself along, too!" - -Again she moved as if to start down the path, but was checked by -Browning's words: - -"You are in no condition to go alone, Miss--Miss----" - -"My name's Nell Thornton," she said, coloring slightly, "ef that is what -you mean. But these hyar mounting people don't waste no breath a-sayin' -of miss an' mister." - -Still, Browning could see that she was pleased. - -"Miss Thornton," he said, holding the cap, from which the water still -dripped, "permit me to introduce myself. My name is Bruce Browning, and -I belong with Frank Merriwell's party, which arrived in Glendale only -the day before yesterday. We have become members of the Lake Lily -Athletic Club since, and it may be that the arrow which struck you was -shot by one of my friends, for they are taking part in the archery shoot -up on the hill." - -It was a very long speech for Bruce Browning, as he himself realized, -but it slipped off his tongue very easily, under the circumstances. - -"So I more than ever feel that it is my duty to assist you," he -continued, "and to see that you reach home without further accident." - -"I dunno what dad'll say 'bout that," she observed, shyly. "He allus -declar's ez he ain't got no use fur citified people, with thar store -clo'es, an' sich. So I reckon it'd be an uncommon good piece o' hoss -sense ef you'd track back up the hill." - -"No, I can't leave you that way," declared Browning, who, looking into -her white face, saw that she was so weak she was again on the point of -falling. "You are in no condition to go on alone, Miss Thornton. I can't -permit it." - -Then he squeezed the water out of his cap, got himself into his coat, -and prepared to assist her down the hill and to her home. - -Bob Thornton's cabin, the home of Nell Thornton, did not differ -materially in its general aspect from other cabins Bruce Browning had -seen in the mountains, except that it was larger. A bar of light from -the descending sun fell through a wooded notch in the hills and lit up -the small panes of its one window with a ruddy fire. A morning-glory, -with closed petals, clambered up the rough stick-and-mud chimney, as if -trying to hide its unsightliness, and a gourd vine swung its green, -pear-shaped bulbs over the door. - -Nell Thornton had seemed to gain strength as the journey continued, and -had not often needed Bruce's helping hand, even where the way was rough. -Now she stopped in the doorway, as if she did not desire him to go -further. - -"I'm 'bleeged to ye!" she said, apparently at a loss for words with -which to express her thanks. "My arm ain't hurtin' so much ez it did, -an' dad's a master hand ter fix up a wound like that. I don't doubt -it'll be all right by ter-morrer. I'm sorry you los' so much time -a-troublin' with me." - -"Don't mention it," begged Bruce. "I'm glad to have been of assistance." - -Then he lifted his cap, and moved grumblingly away. - -"Good-by!" she called, timidly. - -Bruce turned and faced her. - -"Good-by!" he said, again lifting his cap. - -He saw her vanish into the cabin, and once more sought the blind path -that led from the cabin up the mountain. - -"It will be darker than a stack of black cats before I get back to the -cottages," he growled. "What in thunder makes anybody want to live in -such an out-of-the-way place as this?" - -He had almost forgotten the chill which he feared was coming, but now he -again drew the coat collar about his throat, and began to shiver, as he -plodded on. - -"That everlasting Arkansas malaria will be the death of me yet!" he -groaned. "I feel just as if a lot of icicles were chasing up and down my -spine. I wonder which one of the fellows it was shot that arrow?" - -The sun dropped out of sight, and the shadows gathered quickly in the -hollows of the hills. The exertion of climbing warmed Bruce, bringing -the perspiration out on his face and body. He pushed back the collar of -the coat, and mopped his face. Then went on again, slipping, sliding, -grumbling. - -"I thought this path ascended all the time," he growled, peering into -the thickening gloom. "I don't remember this slope, but of course we -crossed it in coming down. These hills and hollows look bewilderingly -alike in this light." - -Half an hour later, he came to a dead stop, with the unpleasant feeling -that he had wandered from the right path and was lost. - -"Here's a pretty kettle of fish!" he groaned. "I'll take on another -cartload of malaria if I have to lie out in these woods to-night. Well, -it's no use to turn back. I couldn't find Thornton's cabin if I tried." - -When he had stumbled on for another provoking half hour, with the -darkness increasing, he came to another halt. A gleam of light, from a -lamp or candle, reached him through the trees. - -"I can inquire my way there, if nothing else," he reflected, "and -perhaps if it seems impossible for me to get home, I can find a bed for -the night." - -Though still in a grumbling humor, he went on again with a decided -feeling of relief, which changed to one of surprise and bewilderment -when he was near enough the light to make out the manner of house from -which it issued. - -He had returned to Bob Thornton's cabin! - - - - -CHAPTER V--HAMMOND'S PLOT - - -"I don't see how I could have done that," Bruce Browning growled, -unpleasantly mystified. "I don't suppose Nell will be very glad to see -me, and probably she will think I came back purposely. But her 'dad,' as -she calls him, will have to show me the way out of this place, or give -me shelter." - -He walked toward the door, the soft carpet of grass and leaves muffling -the sound of his footsteps. But at the corner of the cabin he was -brought to as sudden a stop as if struck in the face. - -"His name is Frank Merriwell, and I came down to tell you about him!" - -These words, given in the voice of Ward Hammond, with the hissing -emphasis of intense hate, reached Bruce Browning like a blow, and stayed -his feet. - -"He's pretending to be a summer visitor, and is staying with a crowd at -the cottages on the lakeside, but I overheard him talking last night, -and caught on to the whole thing. He has been sent here by the -government to hunt you down and drag you to jail." - -The voice did not come from within the cabin, but from behind it, where, -as Bruce recollected, there was a bench under a shade tree. - -Bruce put a hand against the cabin wall as a stay, for he found himself -unexpectedly weak and violently trembling, and listened for the reply. -It came at once in angry, grating tones: - -"Then he's one o' them thar cussed revnoo fellers! Dad-burn my hide, ef -he don't wisht he'd never set hoof in these hyar mountings, 'fore he's a -week older! Ef he comes nosin' 'round hyar, I won't hev no more mercy on -him'n I would a she-wolf!" - -"Ef you recommember, Bob, thar war one hyar 'bout this time las' year, -too!" another and younger voice put in. "I reckon it air about time ter -do a leetle shootin'!" - -"That first one must be Nell's father, for she said his name was Bob," -Browning reflected, straining his ears to catch every word. "I wonder if -she is in the house and hears that?" - -"It's for you to say what you'll do," Ward Hammond purred. "I thought it -my duty to tell you what I had discovered, for I can't forget that -you're related to me, even though we live so differently. I could not -bear the thought of seeing you dragged to jail, without so much as -lifting a finger to prevent it." - -"We're 'bleeged to you, Ward," Bob Thornton confessed. "You never did -seem like t'other big-bugs up ter ther village, an' 'tain't the fust -time ye've put yerself out ter gimme a p'inter." - -"Blood is thicker than water, you know!" avowed Ward, "I always stand by -those who are related to me. If you go gunning for that fellow, I want -to warn you to keep your eyes open. He's smart, and if you give him half -a chance, he'll strike you before you can strike him." - -"I don't doubt he is ez sharp ez a steel trap," Thornton admitted. "The -guv'ment don't send no other kind out ter hunt moonshiners, knowin' ez -how it wouldn't be no sort o' use." - -Bob Thornton got on his feet, and Ward Hammond closed the knife with -which he had been whittling. - -"Air ye goin' up thar ter-night?" the younger man drawled. - -"It air my 'pinion that it'll be better," said Thornton, in a husky -tone. "Ef you hev a thing ter do, do it. Them's my sentiments, an' I -allus acts on 'em. Ef you hev a thing ter do, do it!" - -"I do believe there is to be an attempt to murder Frank this very -night," Bruce Browning inwardly groaned, almost afraid to move an eyelid -lest it should bring discovery. "I've got to get back to the cottages -ahead of these fellows, or break my neck trying." - -Then he almost groaned aloud as he thought of the dark woods and the -paths that seemed little better than squirrel tracks, where he had -already lost himself, and could hardly hope to do better in a wild race -for the cottages against these miscreants. - -Hammond and Thornton moved away. Bruce heard the third man strike a -match, and caught the odor of burning tobacco. Then he noticed that the -moon was rising behind him over a shoulder of the mountain, and that the -night was growing lighter. - -"I can get along with that moon," he reflected. "But I'm afraid it's -going to puzzle me to get away from this cabin without detection." - -He was on the point of making a dash and trusting to his heels for -safety, for, though he was large-limbed and heavy, the bicycle trip -across the continent had trained him down into fair condition for -running, and the malarial trouble that seemed to have fastened on him -had not yet materially affected his strength. But he was kept from this -by the voice of Nell Thornton, who entered the cabin at this juncture, -singing that old, old song of the backwoods: - - "Fair Charlotte lived by the mounting side, - In a wild an' lonely spot, - No dwellin' thar fur ten mile 'roun', - Except her father's cot!" - -The voice was not unmusical, but it had the piping twang of the -mountaineers. - -"She has been away somewhere, and heard none of that talk," thought -Browning, with a sigh of relief. "I guess her arm was not so badly hurt -by that arrow as I fancied. Anyway, she doesn't seem to be suffering -much now, judging by the way she sings." - -He inclined his head toward the cabin wall, expecting to catch the voice -of the younger man from the bench under the tree and Nell's answer to -his words. But he heard only Nell singing of that other mountain girl -who went sleighing to a dance in defiance of parental authority and was -punished for her disobedience by being frozen to death in the sleigh. - -Had Browning looked behind him, his thoughts would have been given -another turn, for he was never in more peril in his life than at that -moment. - -The man on the bench, chancing to glance around the corner of the cabin -toward the increasing light, had seen Bruce clearly outlined against the -moon's silver rim. His instant thought was that Bruce was the man -against whom he and Bob Thornton had been warned--that here was the -officer of the revenue service, with head pressed close to the cabin -wall, having already spotted Bob Thornton as a moonshiner and tracked -him to his home. - -The man was a muscular giant of a fellow, as big and as strong in every -way as Bruce. He was smoking and nursing a heavy stick, almost a club, -which he habitually carried as a cane, but which, in his hands, was a -weapon to fell an ox. - -He quickly and stealthily slipped out of his shoes, then stole with -catlike steps around the building, and approached Browning from the -rear. - -Step by step he moved forward, as silent as a shadow and as merciless as -a red Indian. His face, revealed by the faint moonlight, was distorted -with rage and hate, and his grip on the deadly club was so tense that -the muscles on his right arm stood out in a knotted mass under the -sleeve of his thin, cotton shirt. - -Bruce still stood, with head inclined toward the cabin wall, listening -for the words he was not to hear, wholly unaware of his peril. - -Lifting himself slowly erect, the man poised the club for a brief -instant, then brought it down with an inarticulate cry. - -That cry saved Bruce's life, but it did not ward off the terrible blow. -Bruce straightened his head and tried to leap back, instinctively -throwing up an arm as a shield. - -But the club descended, beating down the arm and striking the head a -glancing blow, under which Bruce sank down with a hollow groan. - -The blow, the groan, the man's fierce curse as Browning fell, reached -the ears of Nell Thornton, stilling the words of the song. - -She was out of the cabin in a flash. - -"What hev ye done, Sam Turner?" she demanded, as she hurried around the -corner of the cabin, and saw the man standing over the senseless form, -with the murderous club still in his hands. "Who hev ye killed, hyar, -I'd like ter know?" - -"Shet yer yawp, Nell Thornton, an' go back inter the house!" Turner -harshly commanded. "Go back inter the house, whar ye belong, stiddy -botherin' with bizness that don't consarn ye!" - -"But it do consarn me, ef murder is bein' done!" she asserted. - -Then her voice rose in a shriek, as she bent over Browning, and -recognized in him the youth who had been so kind to her that afternoon. - -Browning lay as he had fallen, without movement or sign of life. - -"Ye've killed him, Sam Turner!" she cried, facing the mountaineer, with -white face and flashing eyes. "Ye've killed him!" - -"That thar's what I meant ter do!" Turner declared. "An' I'll kill ever' -other revnoo spy that the guv'ment sends down hyar ter 'rest me an' yer -dad!" - -Nell turned from him, with hot, dry eyes and choking words, and again -bent over Browning, even as he had bent over her when she lay in a faint -in the wild mountain path. - -Then she grasped him by the shoulders and tried to lift him. - -"Help me ter git him inter the cabin!" she wildly commanded. "He ain't -no revnoo, Sam Turner! If he's dead, you'll hatter answer fur killin' a -man that never harmed ye. You'll hatter answer fur it 'fore God, and -that'll be wuss'n the jedge at the co'tehouse down in the valley. Holp -me ter git him inter the cabin, I tell ye!" - -She gave another surging lift at the shoulders, and Bruce groaned. - -Sam Turner raised the club again. - -"Put that down!" she shrieked, flying at him with the ferocity of an -enraged panther. - -Turner staggered back under the force of her rush, and she tore the club -from his hands and sent it whirling far out into the bushes. - -"If ye won't holp me, I'll drag him in myself," she declared, again -seeking to lift Browning by the shoulders. - -There was another groan from Browning's lips, and then Sam Turner, moved -by curiosity rather than pity, consented to assist Nell in getting the -unfortunate lad into the house. - -By the light of the kerosene lamp, Turner inspected Bruce's injuries, -while Nell stood by, with clasped hands, in an agony of suspense. - -She broke the silence. - -"'Fore God, Sam Turner, I tell ye you hev made a mistake! That man hev -never hed nuthin ter do with the revnoo. He belongs up ter the village -with them thar summer folks. It's bloody murder ef ye hev killed him!" - -"What do you know 'bout him?" Turner asked, suspiciously, irritated by -her reproof. "I hev never said he didn't b'long up ter the village. I -reckon, now, you must hev thought 'cause he air a revnoo spy that he'd -be goin' 'roun' through the mountings a-hollerin' out his bizness ter -the owls. I reckon you must hev thought that. Ef he ain't a revnoo, why -war he standin' with his head agin' the cabin a-listenin'?" - -Browning groaned again, and moved. - -"He ain't so much killed ez he mout be!" Turner declared. "That club -didn't ketch him squar'. He dodged, an' his shoulder got most o' it." - -"You're not goin' ter strike him ag'in!" Nell screamed, clutching Turner -by the arm. - -"Who said ez how I war goin' ter?" he growled, shaking her off. "Yer ole -dad'll do that quick ernuff when he gits back. He's out now a-aimin' an' -a-contrivin' fer a safe plan ter git at this feller, an' when he gits -back, an' finds that I've got him hyar, he'll be plum tickled out o' one -fit inter fifty!" - -He stooped toward Bruce. - -"What air you a-goin' ter do to him, Sam Turner?" Nell demanded, her -eyes blazing with a dangerous light. - -Turner caught her and hurled her from him. - -"Will you quit a-naggin' of me, Nell Thornton? I'm a-goin' ter drag him -inter t'other room, an' tie him up fer yer ole dad ter look at when he -gits back. I 'low I'll hev ter tell him, too, that you've acted clean -crazy over the feller." - -There was no answer to this fling, and Turner, lifting Bruce by the -shoulders, dragged him into the adjoining room, the only remaining room -of the cabin, with the exception of the garret. - -When he had done this, he hunted up a piece of rope, with which he -securely tied Browning's hands and feet. Then he deliberately relighted -his pipe, took down a long rifle from its rack, and, seating himself in -the doorway in a rude, hickory-bottomed chair, he rested the rifle -across his knees, and stared moodily off over the ridges, on which the -moonlight now fell with silvery radiance. - - - - -CHAPTER VI--NELL RETURNS A KINDNESS - - -In the little room where Sam Turner had dragged him, Bruce came back at -last to the land of sentient things. The moonlight, streaming through a -crack in the chinked wall, fell on his white face. His head was racked -with splitting pains, and a dull ache made itself unpleasantly felt in -his shoulder. - -When he sought to move his hands and feet, he found that they were tied. -Then memory awakened, and he stared about at the cabin walls, trying to -determine where he was, and just what had befallen him. - -A heavy snore drew his attention, and he beheld the form of a man -stretched across the doorway of his room. There was a rifle by the man's -side, and he had evidently placed himself there to guard against any -attempt at escape. - -All this was startling enough to Bruce Browning. - -"And Merriwell! I was not able to get to him to warn him of his danger! -I wonder what has befallen him?" - -Almost his first clear thought was of Frank, and the peril which he -believed threatened his friend. - -He would have groaned aloud in the very agony of mental torture, if a -wholesome fear had not restrained him. - -"I wonder what has become of Nell?" was his next mental query. - -As if in answer, when he looked again he saw her tip-toeing in shoeless -feet toward the man who lay in front of the door of his prison. Her thin -face seemed unnaturally white and bloodless in the dim light. Her widely -distended eyes gleamed like those of some wild animal. In her right hand -she held something, which he soon made out to be a knife. - -A sense of bewildered fascination fell on Bruce. He forgot the thumping -pain in his head and the ache in his shoulder. - -"She is going to kill him as he sleeps!" was the horrible thought that -seized him. - -He moved uneasily, and put out his bound hands, as if to beg her not to -do a thing so dreadful. He might have done more, but at that moment her -eyes met his. She saw that he was conscious, and put a finger to her -lips to enjoin silence. - -Browning lay back and stared at her. His mind was not yet entirely -clear. - -Again she put her fingers across her lips, and took another catlike step -toward the sleeping man. - -She made no more sound than a gliding shadow. Browning readily might -have believed her a ghost, and it is quite certain that Toots, if -similarly placed, would have shrieked like a maniac from sheer fright. - -With the stealthy silence of a panther creeping on its prey, Nell -Thornton advanced toward the open door. - -Then Browning saw that her gaze was not fixed so much on the sleeping -man as on him, and awoke to a realization of the fact that Nell was -trying to come to his rescue, and that the knife was to sever the ropes -that held him, and was not intended as a weapon with which to do murder. - -He could not restrain the sigh of relief and hope that welled from his -heart. - -Nell Thornton's keen ears caught it, and again her finger went to her -lips, and she stopped, looking anxiously at the sleeper. - -For several seemingly interminable seconds she stood thus, and when -Turner did not move, she took another cautious step. - -With her eyes fixed on Turner's upturned face, she stepped warily over -his body, and stood in the room at Browning's side. - -The knife gleamed in the moonlight. It was her father's keen-bladed -hunting knife. - -"I hev come ter git ye out o' hyar," she whispered, laying her lips -against Browning's ear. "Don't ye so much ez whimper a sound, er----" - -She pointed significantly with the knife toward the sleeping form of -Turner. - -Then she pressed the blade against the rope that held Browning's wrists. -It was almost as sharp as a razor, and ate through the tough strands -with noiseless ease. - -She worked quickly, but silently; then stood erect, and pointed toward -the door. - -Browning moved his head to show that he understood. - -"Do ye need ter hev me holp ye?" she whispered, stooping till her lips -again touched his ear. - -For reply, Browning lifted himself cautiously and struggled slowly to -his feet. - -She smiled encouragingly, and stepped through the doorway, Bruce -following close after her, as silently as he could. Thus he passed over -the sleeping form of Sam Turner, and moved toward the outer air. - -He scarcely ventured to breathe till they were both outside, under the -flooding moonlight. - -Here she took him by the hand, without speaking, and hurried him away -from the cabin, into a path that led toward the hills and in the -direction of the village. - -"Hev you a knife?" she anxiously asked, stopping when they had gained -the friendly shelter of the trees. - -"Yes. Why?" inquired Browning, venturing to speak for the first time. - -"'Case, ef you hev, I'll slip back inter that thar room with it an' lay -it open on the floor, so that when Sam Turner hev come ter himself he'll -'low ez how you cut them ropes an' got away 'thout anybody holping ye." - -Browning took out his pocketknife, opened the biggest blade, and placed -it in her hand. - -"I'm 'bleeged ter ye!" she said. - -"And I'm obliged to you, Nell--Miss Thornton!" declared Browning, with -an uncommon warmth of feeling. "Likely I should have been killed if you -hadn't come to my assistance. And at such a fearful risk! I owe you my -life!" - -She was about to turn away, but faced around abruptly and looked him -squarely in the eyes. - -"You ain't nary revnoo spy, air ye, come hyar ter hunt down the -moonshiners?" - -"No!" said Browning, with sturdy emphasis. "I am not! Nor are any of my -friends. I came back to your house because I was lost." - -Her lips parted in a smile. - -"I knowed you warn't," she asserted. - -Then, before Bruce could say anything more, or even bid her good-by, she -leaped away and hastened back toward the cabin. - -The racking pains, which Bruce had temporarily forgotten, shot again -through his head and shoulder as he saw her vanish, and he turned toward -the mountain with a groan. - -But ever, as he toiled on over the wild path, slipping, sliding, -groaning, he thought of Nell Thornton, going back into that room, over -the body of the slumbering rifleman, to place the pocketknife on the -floor by the side of the cut ropes, and his heart throbbed in sympathy -with her great peril. - - - - -CHAPTER VII--BY THE WATERS OF LAKE LILY - - -"It's a trick to enable them to get out of the match!" asserted Ward -Hammond, with a stinging sneer. "All this pretense of making a search is -the veriest humbug! The idea that one of their number would wander away -into the woods, or drown himself in the lake while out of his head from -a little fever, is the greatest rot that any one ever tried to foist on -the public." - -A considerable concourse of people had gathered on the margin of Lake -Lily to witness the swimming match announced to come off that morning at -nine o'clock sharp. They were seated on camp stools, on wooden benches, -and on the rocks and grass. The boathouse of the Lake Lily Athletic Club -was filled with them. - -And now the rumor had gone forth that Frank Merriwell and his friends of -the Lake Lily Club would not enter the contest because they were -organizing to search for one of their number who had been strangely -missing since the previous afternoon. - -"It's a clear backdown," declared Hammond, walking up to a group of his -Glendale friends. "They know they dare not meet us, and they're simply -making that an excuse. I'll bet big money that, if the truth were known, -the fellow they say is lost is hidden away somewhere in one of their -cottages." - -Merriwell's party, with Colson, Tetlow and others, came out of a cottage -at that moment. They wore a sober, serious air. They had been talking -the thing over, and were intending to institute another search through -the woods and along the shores of the lake, though they had already made -a number of such searches. Merriwell was to speak to the people, and -explain why it was they could not enter the swimming match, and was to -announce that if nothing was heard of Browning by noon, the lake would -then be dragged for his body. - -But scarcely were they out of the cottage, when Harry Rattleton swung -his cap and gave a great cheer. - -"There he is!" he whooped. "Just in sight, coming over that rise!" - -He broke away from the crowd and ran swiftly to meet Browning, who had -lost his way again, in spite of the moonlight, and had been forced to -remain in the woods all night. - -The story that Browning had strolled across the mountains for a walk, -and had been assaulted and robbed by highwaymen, spread like wildfire. - -It was not started by Browning's friends, but when they found it -current, they did not try to correct it, choosing to let it go at that, -instead of giving the true account of his experiences. - -Ward Hammond's boasting came to a sudden termination when he saw -Browning return, and knew that he would have to swim against the youths -he had been so maliciously maligning. - -It was ten o'clock, an hour later than the time fixed, when Frank -Merriwell and Sep Colson, who had been selected by the members of the -Lake Lily Club to uphold the club honors in the swimming match, came out -of their dressing-room in the boathouse. - -Ward Hammond and Dan Matlock, the chosen champions of the other club, -were already at the starting point, and the spectators, who had been -kept so long in waiting, were growing impatient at the delay. - -"Oi'm bettin' thot yez kin bate thim fellies out av soight, Frankie, me -b'y!" cried Barney, jubilantly. "Thot Hommond sint up his rooster -crowin' a bit too soon, so he did, as he'll be foindin' out moighty -quick, now!" - -"I'm sure we'll do our best, Barney," promised Merriwell, touched by the -Irish lad's loyalty. - -"We can always depend on you for that, Merry!" said Rattleton. "We want -you to beat Hammond worse than you did in the shooting. And you can do -it, too!" - -"I don't doubt he's safe enough to do that," grumbled Bruce, who had -come down to the boathouse in spite of his aching head and generally -used-up condition. "But as for me! Ugh! I wouldn't leap into that water -for wages. It makes me shiver to look at it!" - -Rattleton gave a wink and thrust his hands into his pockets. Gallup and -Mulloy imitated his example, and when their hands came out, they were -seen to contain each a number of white capsules. - -"Take another dose of quineen, and keep off that chill," said Rattleton, -extending the capsules toward Bruce. - -"Gullup daown another dost of quinine an' keep off that gol darn chill!" -cried Ephraim, pushing the capsules into Browning's face. - -"Swally anither dose av quoinin an' kape aff thot ager," advised Barney, -doing the same. - -Browning arose to his feet and shook his fist at them in mock rage, -whereupon they dodged backward and made a feint of swallowing the -capsules themselves. - -"Mistah Browning'll make you have wuss dan de fevah an' chilluns," -warned Toots. "I's su'mised dat Mistah Browning ain't feelin' berry good -dis mawnin--no, sar!" - -Suddenly Browning was seen to straighten up and stare toward the slope -where the benches had been placed. - -"There she is," he whispered, nodding his head in that direction. - -"She! Who? What are you talking about?" demanded Jack Diamond. - -"Nell Thornton! Don't look at her right now, and all at once. But you -can see her on the end of that farthest bench. The slim girl, with the -cotton dress and calico sunbonnet. Heavens! I'm glad to see her, for I -know now that she succeeded in pulling the wool over the eyes of that -villain, Sam Turner!" - -"And she has come here for no other purpose than to let you see her, so -that you may know that she is safe," observed Diamond. - -"I believe you are right," assented Browning. - -Then the entire party went out to the edge of the boat landing, from -which point the swimmers were to dive and begin the race. - -"Are you all ready?" asked the starter, as Merriwell and Colson, Hammond -and Matlock stood up side by side, and faced the deep-blue water in -which they were to contest for the supremacy. - -"Ready!" ran along the line. - -"One, two, three--go!" - -At the word, four trim, muscular forms flashed in the air, shot -downward, and slipped into the depths with scarcely a splash. - -"They're off!" some one yelled. - -With a waving of handkerchiefs and a fluttering of fans and umbrellas, -the spectators began to cheer. - -Ward Hammond and Frank Merriwell came to the surface first, with Colson -and Matlock close after them. Hammond was a full yard ahead of Frank, -and the latter's friends saw that Merriwell would not have an easy task -if he defeated the Glendale youth, who seemed to be able to dive and -swim like a fish. - -But Merriwell was not worrying over the outcome of the race. He knew -that a race is not always won by a brilliant start, and that the final -stretch is what tests the strength of the swimmer. So while Ward Hammond -spurted and increased his lead, Merriwell swam low and easily, with his -head well back on his shoulders, and without any unnecessary expenditure -of muscle. - -Craig Carter, who had been seated in a boat beside the landing, now -pushed the boat off, and dropping the oars into the rowlocks, prepared -to follow the swimmers leisurely, that a boat might be at hand in case -of accident. Of course, he was one of Hammond's most fiery henchmen, and -he did not hesitate to show his partiality by shouting encouraging cries -to him. - -"That's right, Ward! Give full spread to your hands and feet. Gather a -little quicker, frog fashion. That's right! Go it, old man! They can't -any of them beat you! Hurrah for the Blue Mountain boys!" - -"I hope he'll fall out of that boat and drown himself," was Rattleton's -uncharitable wish. "He actually makes me sick!" - -"His friend hasn't won the race yet," said Diamond, studying the -swimmers with a critical eye. "Colson is a good swimmer, too, isn't he? -He's coming right up alongside of Merriwell." - -The race was to a stake, set far enough from the shore to test the -strength and wind of the swimmers, thence back to the point of starting. - -Up to this stake and around it Ward Hammond led, with Merriwell second, -Colson third, and Matlock closely crowding Colson. - -When the stake was turned and the swimmers headed shoreward, it was seen -that Hammond was fully six yards in the lead. - -Craig Carter was standing up in his boat, alternately sculling and -swinging the oar aloft to give emphasis to his Indian-like yells, and -the excitement among the spectators perceptibly increased. - -"By Jove! I'm afraid Hammond is going to beat Merry!" confessed Bart -Hodge, with an uneasy shifting of his feet. "See him spurt! He goes -through the water like a torpedo boat!" - -"I'll het you my bat--I mean I'll bet you my hat--that he doesn't!" -averred Rattleton, whose faith in Merriwell's ability was always -supreme. "Now look, will you? Hurrah for Merry! Talk about your torpedo -boats! That's the stuff, Frank! Hooray! hooray! hooray!" - -Rattleton crowded so near the edge of the landing that he was in danger -of tumbling into the water, and there, standing on tiptoe and swinging -his cap, he sent his shrill cries ringing across the surface of the -lake. - -Merriwell seemed still to be swimming easily, with his body well under -and his head poised lightly on his shoulders, but it was observed that -he was greatly increasing his speed. Not in the spurting, jerky manner -of Hammond, but with a steady pull, that was bound to tell in the -outcome. - -The spectators noticed this, and their clamor increased. One -solemn-looking man jumped to the top of a tall stump and capered like a -schoolboy, while a couple of Glendale's severest old maids, whom nobody -supposed could be moved to any show of emotion by such a scene, were -actually seen to hug each other and shed tears. - -Inch by inch, foot by foot, and yard by yard, Frank gained on his -opponent and bitter enemy. His head drew alongside of Hammond's -thrashing heels, forged up to Hammond's side, came up to Hammond's -shoulder and neck, then passed him. - -Hammond gave his antagonist a frightened glance, and tried to swim -faster, seeking to regain his lost ground by another spurt. But he had -seriously winded himself, and he found the feat impossible. - -And still the crowd yelled, and whooped, and fluttered handkerchiefs, -and thumped the benches. - -Craig Carter had long ceased his insane antics. His face wore a look of -anxiety. - -Suddenly, as the swimmers were drawing past a point that jutted out into -the lake, a dog sprang into the water and paddled toward them. It was -Craig Carter's spaniel. It recognized him as he sat in the boat, and was -anxious to join him. The boat was beyond the swimmers, and the dog, in -attempting to reach it, swam against Merriwell, and almost lost him his -position. Frank lifted himself and gave the spaniel a heavy shove, which -caused it to sink beneath the surface. - -The sight threw Craig Carter into a rage. He was already in a desperate -mood, and now he seemed to become furiously insane. - -Merriwell was still in the lead, and again swimming. White and panting, -Carter rose to his feet, lifted an oar with both hands and struck at -Frank. - -It was a cowardly blow, and brought cries of "Shame!" from those who -witnessed it. - -But it did not reach Frank. He dived like a flash, and the oar struck -harmlessly on the water. - -When Frank came up, he was seen to be swimming neck and neck with Ward -Hammond, and the goal not a dozen yards away. - -Then pandemonium again broke loose on the shore. - -Inch by inch, and foot by foot, Frank again drew ahead of his -antagonist. The crowd yelled like mad. A dozen men crowded to the -water's edge to take him by the hand, for they saw that he was to be the -winner. - -In vain Ward Hammond threshed and flailed. His wind and strength were -gone. - -Merriwell reached the landing three yards in the lead, and was -immediately drawn out on the boards. - -Then, all wet as he was, he was hoisted to the shoulders of his -admirers--to the shoulders of men who loved pluck and fair play--and -borne around the boathouse, while they bellowed at the top of their -lungs: - -"See, the conquering hero comes!" - -After that there were exhibitions of fancy diving and swimming by Frank -Merriwell and others, which were not taken part in by the disgruntled -Hammond, however, and by only a few of his intimate friends. - -Thus the swimming ended, to the entire satisfaction of those who had -waited so long and so patiently for its beginning. - -"And to-morrow comes that mountain climb," said Merriwell, speaking to -Colson, when they were again in the dressing-room. "I wonder if Hammond -will be as palpitatingly anxious for that as he was for this swim?" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII--A FAIR GUIDE - - -The mountain chosen for the climb was one of the wildest and ruggedest -of the Blue Ridge range. It rose just beyond Blue Mountain, whereon -Hammond and his friends had their summer camp, and its dark shadows fell -afternoons into the hollows and dells where clung the cabins of the poor -whites who recognized the leadership of Bob Thornton. - -"It's not a pleasant feat to contemplate," grumbled Bruce Browning, -looking from the door of the cottage he occupied in company with others, -and staring up at the half-naked heights that thrust themselves skyward. -"It's much prettier at a distance. I haven't any sympathy for these -fellows who form Alpine clubs, to bury themselves in snowdrifts and -break their necks in crevices, when they might be staying at home, -sensibly enjoying themselves." - -"I don't doubt you're really wishing for a rattling good chill," laughed -Sep Colson. "It would be such an excellent excuse to laze all day in -that hammock." - -"Hardly that," grunted Bruce. "A fellow might as well wish he'd break an -arm to get out of the job of sawing a little wood. But, seriously, -doesn't it seem to you a great waste of energy for a mighty little -return to go panting up that mountain, trying to beat a lot of other -fellows who haven't any more sense than you?" - -"No more of that," cried Rattleton, coming up at that moment, and -overhearing the question. "You're the worst grumbler on the face of the -footstool, Browning. I should think you'd be just dancing with joy this -morning to think how you slipped through that scrape down at Thornton's. -And if there is anything prettier than that mountain, with the morning -mists creeping around it, I don't know what it is." - -"Oh, it's pretty enough--at a distance!" growled Bruce. "And, of course, -I'm going with you, even if I haven't got over that headache yet. You -couldn't get along without me." - -"Roight yez are in thot!" declared Barney Mulloy, coming, with a shining -face, from a dip in the lake. "Indade, we couldn't git on widout yez, -an' it's moighty bad we filt whin we thought ye wur dead." - -After solemn consultation over the matter, it had been determined to -keep Browning's adventure a close secret. It would be difficult to prove -anything against either Sam Turner, Ward Hammond or Bob Thornton, and -the effort would necessarily involve Nell Thornton, whom they naturally -wished to protect, and not injure. - -Bob Thornton had not been seen, and it was reasonable to suppose that, -Turner's attempt having failed he was keeping himself out of sight, and -would continue to do so until the supposed revenue officers had -disappeared from the neighborhood. - -The starting point of the climb was a glade at the foot of Bald -Mountain, and the goal a flat rock beyond the mountain's outthrust -shoulder, both the shoulder and the rock being well-known landmarks. - -A score of men from the summer cottages in the village were at the -starting point when Merriwell's party arrived, and two had been sent on -some time before to station themselves at the rock, that the time -occupied in the ascent and the victors in the contest might be -accurately determined. - -"Hammond's fellows don't seem to be here," declared Rattleton, stabbing -his alpinstock in the ground, and looking about. - -"I don't doubt they will come all right," Merriwell hastened to say. - -"Meebe dey ain' got ober shoutin' 'bout dat swim yit!" observed Toots, a -smile of pleasurable recollection lighting his ebony face. - -"Here they come, just the same," announced Bart Hodge. "They've got -sand, and that's something to praise them for. It's my opinion, too, -that they'll give us a hard climb, for most of them are familiar with -these mountains and hardened to such work." - -Ward Hammond was diplomatic enough on his arrival to try to conceal the -intense hatred he felt for Frank Merriwell. He recognized that Craig -Carter had made a sad mess of it by striking at Frank with the oar. Even -Hammond's friends had denounced this as a criminal and cowardly piece of -work. - -As for Craig, he held himself aloof from the joking and conversation, -and was not without a fear that Merriwell would seek to punish him yet -for his contemptible conduct. - -But Merriwell's victory in the swimming match had been so complete that -he chose to pass the matter by without comment, instead of dealing blow -for blow. - -The starter looked at his watch. - -"The party, or any member of either party, that reaches the rock first -is to be counted winner. The object is to reach the rock in the shortest -possible time." - -Browning glanced up at the mountain, and groaned, as Merriwell grouped -his party, and the boys broke into a hearty laugh. - -"It is now nine o'clock," said the starter, when all were ready. "You -ought to do it in two hours, or less. I won't attempt to give you any -advice. You know what's before you. Go!" - -Ward Hammond led off at a sharp run, swinging his alpinstock and taking -the path that led toward the right, while Sep Colson, who had been -chosen to lead the Lake Lily Club, because of his greater familiarity -with the ground to be covered, swung into the path that wound around the -mountain on the left. - -"It's a little farther," he said, "but the traveling is easier, and -we'll make better time." - -Frank Merriwell crowded close to Colson's heels, and others fell in -behind him, with Hans Dunnerwust bringing up the rear. - -"Yes, this is what I call fun!" grunted Browning, as a bowlder slipped -under him and he half fell. - -"Be afther takin' a little more quoinin' to roise yer spairts," advised -Barney Mulloy, with a grin. - -When more than half a mile had been passed over, and they were jogging -down a declivity at a lively pace, Colson stopped so suddenly that -Merriwell fairly tumbled over him. - -"What is it?" Frank questioned. - -"Look there! There's Nell Thornton waving to us." - -"She wants to speak to us," said Rattleton, looking in the direction -indicated by Colson's pointing finger. - -Bruce straightened up and forgot to grumble, when he saw the slim form -of the girl descending the rocks. - -She was letting herself down a precipitous bluff, clinging to the vines -and bushes. - -"She can get over places I shouldn't care to try," declared Bruce, with -an admiration that was akin to enthusiasm. "I wonder what she wants?" - -"We shall find out very soon now," said Merriwell. "It won't take her -long to reach us." - -Dropping to the level ground, Nell came shyly toward the party, with -evident embarrassment. - -"Do you uns want ter beat them thar other fellows bad?" she asked. - -"The worst kind," declared Rattleton. - -"Thar's a way it kin be done," she said, with kindling glance, "ef so be -ez you uns air good climbers. Thar's a path which the mounting men -foller when they air in a hurry, sech o' them ez knows 'bout it. I kin -show it ter ye, though ef dad knowed I done it he'd jes' nacherly kill -me!" - -"You may show it to us with perfect safety," promised Merriwell. - -She gave a quick glance toward Browning, as if for confirmation of the -promise. - -Browning flushed. - -"As Mr. Merriwell says, the secret will be perfectly safe with us, Miss -Thornton," touching his cap. "You may rely on it!" - -"I kinder sorter wanted you uns ter beat 'em," she confessed, "an' it'll -pleasure me ter help you ter do it. You uns'll hev ter shin up that thar -bluff somehow er 'nuther ter git a start." - -She pointed to the precipice down which she had swung, and Browning gave -an inward groan. - -"Heavens!" he inaudibly grumbled. "She must want to see me killed. Those -vines will come down like cotton strings when I put my weight on them." - -Merriwell nodded, and the girl led the way to the bluff. - -"Take holt o' that thar saplin' an' that'll holp you ter reach the -cedar. Then grab them vines an' git along ez best ye kin. Them vines'll -bear a good heft, an' ye needn't be skeered uv 'em." - -Having said this, with pointing finger, she stepped aside. Frank -Merriwell grasped the slim hickory and drew himself up to the scrubby -cedar that here thrust its roots into a crack in the ledge. - -He was followed by Colson and Rattleton. Then came Bart Hodge and Jack -Diamond. - -The climb was not so difficult as it looked. Some of the smaller vines -broke under the weight of Browning, and of Ephraim Gallup, but in a -comparatively short time all were at the top of the bluff. - -The girl swung herself up after them, and pointed to a dim path leading -through a thicket of laurel straight toward the frowning cap of the -mountain. - -"Thar's yer way!" she whispered. "I see ye've got a rope fer ther bad -places. Two or three uv 'em'll maybe hump ye, but I'm sure you uns, by -holpin' each other, kin make it. An' it'll save ye nigh about half the -distance." - -"Thank you," said Frank, as she turned away. "You have placed us under -great obligations." - -This time Merriwell took the lead, plunging into the laurel, for the -route was an unknown one to all. He hurried forward as rapidly as the -ground would admit. - -A number of hogs of the razorback variety leaped up in front of him and -scurried out of sight. - -"Look out that you don't get bitten," shouted Rattleton, with a laugh. -"Those are wild hogs, you must understand, and you'd better not crowd -them." - -The hogs looked fierce enough to justify Rattleton's assertion. - -"A boar hunt in these hills wouldn't be bad," said Hodge. "One of those -fellows had tusks like razors." - -They soon found abundant use for the rope, of which Nell Thornton had -spoken, and for the stout alpinstocks they had provided as well. The way -was rough and steep, and they quickly came to a series of benches, where -the rope was found invaluable. - -"This is what I call tough," grunted Browning, mopping his heated face -at the end of one of these climbs. - -"Cyant hab no chillins, an' fevah, dough, Mistah Browning, when you -sweat dat way," laughed Toots. "Dis clamb is gwan ter cure yeh." - -"Or kill me!" Bruce growled. - -"I wonder how these other fellows are getting on?" said Hodge. - -"I don't doubt they're going faster than we are," answered Merriwell. -"But I'm depending on the judgment of that girl, and you know that we -have the best of authority for believing that the race is not always to -the swift." - -"Or the battle to the strong!" chimed in Diamond, completing the -quotation. - -"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Rattleton. - -"Mr. Rattleton, what are you grinning about now?" queried Hodge. - -"I was just thinking that if the battle were always to the strong, what -a fight a polecat would put up!" answered Rattleton, with another shout. - -"I believe, by chaowder, they air the strongest things on earth," -declared the boy from Vermont, with a smile. "I tried to poke one out of -dad's old barn once, an' I thought it would lift the roof, b'gosh!" - -Higher and higher the dim path led, zigzagging at times, crossing -perilous crevices, which they were forced to leap, dipping into narrow -gorges, through which ran icy streams of water from hidden springs. - -"I tell you we're nearing the top!" cried Rattleton, with a burst of -enthusiasm. - -Merriwell looked at his watch. - -"We've already been an hour on the way," he declared. "That starter -thought the climb could be made in two hours. We may have to cross that -rocky shoulder yet." - -"No, we shall not have to cross it," said Hodge. "I caught a view of the -path from that other slope a while ago, and it swings under the point -instead of over it." - -"Hello! I don't know about this!" cried Merriwell, coming to a full stop -at another bend. - -The path ended at the foot of a flat rock that rose upward like the -wall. - -"We've got to get up there somehow," asserted Diamond. "The path will be -found again at the top." - -Browning stepped forward. - -"There's only one way, fellows. I understand now just what Nell meant -when she said we'd have to help each other. Climb up on my shoulders -here, Gallup. You're the longest and can reach that notch with your -hands. Perhaps Hans had better go next." - -"By gum! he ain't here!" snorted Gallup, staring around. - -"He must have got tired and stopped," said Merriwell. "We can't wait for -him. We may lose the race if we do. And it will punish him right, when -he comes to this place and finds he can't get up." - -"We'll come back and lower the rope for him," said Browning, putting -himself in position against the wall of rock. "As Merriwell says, we -haven't any time to lose." - -Gallup glanced quizzically upward, then gave his hand to Merriwell, and -was assisted to Browning's broad shoulders. - -"No fooling," grunted Browning. "If I've got to play the strong man in -this game of high and lofty tumbling, I want you fellows to get a move -on you. Gallup alone feels as if he weighs a ton." - -Barney climbed to Gallup's shoulders, and Merriwell came next, carrying -the rope. - -Standing on Barney's shoulders, he was able to grasp the branches of a -tree that hung down at that point, and scrambled quickly on to the top -of the bluff. - -"Yes, the path is up here," he shouted back, letting down an end of the -rope. "Put that loop around your waist, Diamond, and I'll pull as you -climb. You'll find it will be a good deal easier." - -"You'd better hurry on without me," advised Browning, when all were at -the top but himself. "You'll lose valuable time trying to get me up -there, and it's not necessary." - -"We'll have you up in just a moment," promised Merriwell. "Take a seat -in that loop. You won't need to do much, only keep yourself from -scratching scales off the rock. There's enough of us up here to lift -you, and the rope is strong. Bring up the alpinstocks that were dropped, -too. We may need them again." - -"Well, if I must, I must!" grumbled Browning, who would not have been -sorry if they had gone on without him. "Haul away. And remember that my -life isn't insured." - -It was no easy task to lift him to the top, but it was accomplished -without mishap. - -"No Hans in sight yet," said Merriwell. - -Rattleton, who was running up the path, was heard to give a whoop. - -"Fellows, we're right there!" he announced, hastening back to bear the -glad tidings. "I took a peep through the bushes, and the rock isn't a -hundred yards away. I saw the men who were sent up here standing by it, -and there wasn't another soul in sight." - -Merriwell looked at his watch again. - -"An hour and twenty minutes since we started. Lead on, Rattleton. If -you've seen the rock, you may act as guide. We're after you." - -Rattleton dived into the bushes again with a whoop, closely followed by -Merriwell, who saw in a few moments that Harry was right. - -The goal was just before them, with only the timekeepers there, and they -had won the race! - - - - -CHAPTER IX--THE VALIANT DUTCH BOY - - -Where was Hans? - -The Dutch boy, who by reason of his roly-poly body and fat, short legs, -was not well adapted to mountain climbing, was much fatigued by the -headlong haste with which his friends proceeded. - -"Some volks peen plame vools enough to call dos sbort," he secretly -grumbled, panting along at the heels of the procession. "Maype it vos -sbort vor me, alretty, py shimminy! put don't you pelief me! Ven I vos -caughd py a voolishness like dot again, I hope I vill gick someboty." - -He was stumping along in this manner, dropping gradually behind, when at -a short turn in the path his friends vanished. At the same moment a -pebble that had found its way into one of his shoes began to cut his -foot so that he could hardly walk. - -"Wa-ow!" he gurgled. "Dot feel shust like I pit a snake by. Dunder and -blitzens! Dot toe vos cud off, I pelief me!" - -He stared along at the dim path and at the bushes beyond which he heard -the voices of his friends, then plumped himself down on a rock and began -hastily to unloose the shoe lace. - -"Uf I get oudt uf dis scrabe, anudder vun von't go into me right avay, I -dell you!" he muttered. "I haf to haf a boultice vor dot toe, I pelief -me, der vay id veels. Waow!" - -He pulled off the shoe with a jerk, felt of the injured toe, and gave -the shoe a shake to remove the pebble. - -It rolled out, a tiny thing, not larger than a small shot, but with a -cutting edge almost as hard as a diamond. - -"Some liddle dhings make a pigger vuss dan----" - -He cocked an ear around, and listened for the voices, but they were no -longer to be heard. - -"Shimminy Ghristmas! Dose vellers gid along like shain lighdnings. I vos -half to hurry uf dey gacht me oop, I tolt you!" - -He crowded his foot back into the shoe, hurriedly laced and tied it, -then picked up his alpinstock and set his short legs in motion. - -But it was a hopeless chase. They were swinging on at a swift pace, and -had gained so much that it was quite impossible for the Dutch boy to -come up with them. - -Discovering this, he became terrified. - -"Vot uf dose shinermoons shoult pe hiding dese pushes behint, und kilt -myselluf mit a club der head ofer?" he panted, staring about in -wild-eyed expectancy. - -He heard a movement in the bushes, which almost raised the hair on his -head. The brush cracked. The sound came toward him. - -He dropped his alpinstock and turned to run, but his short, fat legs -became so weak they would not sustain him. - -He dropped to his knees with a bellow of fright, and pleadingly threw up -his hands. - -The brush cracked again, sending cold shivers up the Dutch boy's back, -and a lean sow, followed by three or four thin, sharp-backed pigs, came -into view. - -Hans scrambled up, with a screech of fear. - -"Vilt hocks!" he squawked. "Shimminy Ghristmas! I vos deat alretty yet!" - -The sow ridged the rough bristles along her spine and made a sound which -Hans thought her battle cry. - -He gave another squawk and dived for the nearest tree. Into its low -branches he scrambled, throwing his feet across a bough and pulling -himself by his hands. - -As it chanced, the tree was in the direct line of the sow's flight. She -dashed toward it, bringing another squeal of fear from Hans, and the -pigs scampered at her heels. - -While hanging in this inverted position, with his cap gone and his -pockets upside down, some peanuts that Hans had thrust into a pocket to -munch on the mountain climb, dropped out to the ground. - -One of the pigs saw and scented them. Its chronic hunger overcame its -fright, and, while its mother and the other members of the porcine -family bounded on into the depths of the laurel it stopped and began to -munch the peanuts. - -"I vos a deat mans!" gurgled Hans, fairly paralyzed by terror. "He vos -going to ead up dose beanuds und my gap, und den he vill glimb dese dree -ub und I vill ead heem! Hel-lup! hel-lup!" - -Now and then a peanut spilled out of the pocket, and when the pig had -devoured all, it looked up at the peanut fountain for more, placing -itself directly under Hans with its mouth expectantly open. - -"Oh, I vos deat! I vos kilt!" he howled. "Someboty gome guick und shood -me, so dot I von't ead mineselluf ub!" - -It was impossible for him to climb higher, both on account of his -weakness, and the springy nature of the bough, and he was dimly -conscious of the fact that he could not hold on much longer. - -Ordinarily, the pig would have fled from him, but its hunger now caused -it to half lift itself on its hind legs and stretch its long nose up -toward him. - -In that moment of supreme terror the Dutch boy's strength entirely -deserted him, and he fell from the bough, striking the pig directly in -the center of the back. - -It went down, with a squeal. Hans rolled quickly over and tried to -scramble to his feet. He could do nothing, however, but thresh his heel -in the air and bellow for assistance. - -After a while it began to dawn on him that the dreaded monster was not -devouring him alive, as he had fully expected, and that, since his fall, -he had not heard a sound, except such as he made himself. - -"Id vos skeert me avay," he thought, stopping his flailing heels and -turning his head slowly to the point where the ravenous beast might be -expected to be seen. - -He lifted himself slowly on his hands and stared, his eyes rounding out -in astonishment. - -The pig lay on the ground as if dead. - -"Id vos maging a vool uf me, maype," he reflected. "It vos shust agting -like I vos deat. Id shust vant to play mit me, like I vos a gat und id -vos a mouses." - -Still, when the pig maintained that strange silence, Dunnerwust's -courage began to come back. - -He lifted himself still higher, ready to drop down and play the game of -"'possum" for all it was worth if the pig showed signs of life and -pugnacity. Still, the pig did not move. - -Hans rolled over, and slowly got on his hands and knees, then lifted -himself to a standing position, ready to run if the pig so much as -moved. - -"It maype is sdill voolin' me, alretty yet!" he gurgled. "Dere vos no -tepending on me somedimes. I haf heert apout dose vilt peasts dot blay -sleeby to vool demselves like dot!" - -But the pig was dead. There could be no doubt of it, and if Hans had not -been insane from fright, he must have discovered the fact sooner. He had -struck with all his weight, and that was not small, in the middle of the -pig's curved spine, and had snapped it as if it were a pipestem. - -"Whoop!" he yelled, as soon as he was sure the pig was dead. "Dot vos a -recklar knock-oud, you pet me! He vos kilt me der virst lick!" - -Then, to make sure that the pig could not by any possibility come back -to life to frighten him again, he picked up an enormous club, and -proceeded to belabor it to such an extent that if there had been any -life remaining in the pig's body, it would have been beaten out. - -Having done this, Hans walked around his fallen foe with the victorious -air of a conquering hero, uttering exclamations of delight, and -figuratively patting himself on the back for his valor. - -"Who vos a cowart?" he demanded, squaring his shoulders and striking out -at imaginary foes. "I vould bunch mine heat uf you sait nottings like -dot, Hans Dunnerwust, you vos der pinking uf vighting mans dis moindain -on, und don'd let dot vorget me! I pet him you vos der beacherino uf der -Lilywhites!" - -Then, still strutting like a peacock, he threw the dead pig over his -shoulders, picked up his alpinstock, and marched along the path like a -high-stepping horse. - -From the top of the bluff, where his friends had found their way -seemingly blocked, he heard voices calling to him--the voices of Harry -Rattleton and Jack Diamond, who had turned back to search for him. - -Hans answered, with a squeak of delight. - -"See dot!" he cried, taking the pig from his shoulders and holding it -above his head. "Dot vos a vilt hock vot kilt me ven I dried to ead him -ub! I vos a fighder, I tolt you, ven I ged him starded!" - -It was with the utmost difficulty that Ward Hammond concealed his -intense chagrin and bitter hate when he arrived with his companions at -the goal of the mountain-climbing race and found that Frank Merriwell's -party had beaten them by more than thirty minutes. - -"It's all right," he said, with a sickly smile. "Though I do think you -fellows must have had wings hidden about you to get here so soon. But -wings weren't barred. Of course, we wanted to win, but we didn't, and -that's all there is to it." - -While he was talking, old Bob Thornton, carrying the long rifle that Sam -Turner had taken from its peg in the cabin, was creeping through the -laurel and over the vines toward a point of rocks that commanded a view -of the path by which he was sure Merriwell and his friends would descend -from the mountains. - -He did not try to conceal his bitter hate, as Hammond was doing. His -mind was inflamed with the angriest of passions, for Hammond had made -him believe that the mountain climb was an excuse on the part of -Merriwell to get into these hills, where Thornton's little copper still, -for making liquor, lay hidden. - -The ravine that held it was less than a mile from the top of Bald -Mountain, in a wild and almost inaccessible gorge, and he was fairly -shaking with the fear that Merriwell had spotted the gorge from the -mountain's top, and would try to enter it later in the day. - -"He'll never hunt anuther still ef I git a good crack at him!" the -mountaineer growled. "The guv'ment's got ter be larnt that it jes' ain't -ary bit o' use to send revnoo spies peekin' 'roun' hyar. We uns o' Bald -Mounting won't stan' it!" - -Ward Hammond dissembled with considerable skill. He laughed, joked and -praised the climbing of the members of the Lake Lily Club, all the while -wondering if Bob Thornton would try the shot he threatened, and hoping -that the bullet would at least maim Merriwell for life. - -Hammond held by inheritance from these rude mountaineers the fierce hate -that made them such a terror to their foes, and caused among them such -bloody feuds. In him Frank Merriwell had an enemy to be feared. - -He had a purpose in playing a friendly part that day, and in staying -with Frank's party. He fancied that if Merriwell should be killed by a -shot sent from the woods by an unseen hand, he might be suspected as the -shooter, which could not be the case if he remained at Merriwell's side. - -"Hammond doesn't seem so bitter as we've been led to believe," declared -Rattleton, speaking to Bart Hodge. "Perhaps he's been painted a good -deal blacker than he really is." - -"I hope so," said Hodge, who more than once had been made uneasy by the -accounts given by Colson and others of Hammond's fire-eating and -unforgiving spirit. "He seems pleasant enough to-day, at any rate." - -Without a thought of danger, Frank descended the mountain path, laughing -and joking. - -Bob Thornton was still stealing through the bushes, with the long rifle -in the hollow of his arm. - -But there was another stealing after him, with bated breath and shining -eyes. Nell Thornton, his daughter, who, having observed his movements, -suspected his evil intentions, and was now following to thwart them if -she could. - -When he reached the rocky point, from which he expected to send the -shot, and from which he could dive into a jungly growth that would -protect him from view and pursuit, Nell was close at his heels, though -he was still unaware of it. - -His face darkened as he dropped the rifle out of the hollow of his arm -and inspected the percussion cap, when Merriwell and the others came -into view around a bend in the path. - -"He'll never hunt anuther moonshiner!" Thornton grated, through his set -teeth. "He'd better be a-sayin' of his prayers when I pull down on him -with this ole Bet!" - -Nell heard the grated threat, and shivered, but the look of -determination grew in her white, thin face and shone brighter in her -glittering eyes. - -Thornton waited until the party was near enough to make the shot safe, -but still far enough off to enable him to plunge into the undergrowth -and lose himself to pursuit before any one could reach him. - -Then he threw the long rifle to his cheek, ran his eyes down the brown -barrel, and covered Frank Merriwell's heart with the sights. Though his -eyes were blazing, his muscles seemed as steady as iron. - -The finger pressed the trigger, and there was a whip-like report. - -But the bullet did not reach Frank Merriwell! - -Just as Thornton's finger pressed on the trigger, Nell leaped from the -bushes that screened her and caught at his arm, thrusting the rifle -aside. - -With a shriek, Ward Hammond threw up his arms and dropped to the ground. - -The bullet intended for Merriwell had lodged in the body of his enemy. - - - - -CHAPTER X--NELL'S LETTER - - -"How is Hammond this morning?" Frank anxiously asked of Browning, whom -he joined near the boathouse. "Have the doctors found the bullet yet?" - -Bruce had just come from the village, whither he had gone to make -inquiry concerning Hammond's condition. - -"Yes," he answered, as they walked together toward the cottage. "They -extracted it this morning. It struck a rib, and the wound isn't as bad -as it might be. He'll be laid up for a time, they say. There is no -question but that he'll get well." - -"I'm glad to hear it," was Frank's sincere rejoinder. "I thought he was -a goner when I saw him drop near me at the crack of that gun." - -"Hello! what's this?" Bruce exclaimed, a moment later, as they entered -his room. - -He stepped quickly to the little table, and took up a bunch of flowers, -to which was tied a note, oddly scrawled and spelled. - -It was from Nell Thornton, and this is what it said: - - "I am ergoin' ter slip in an' put these on yer table, 'ca'se I - hav' heern that grand folks like 'em, an' leeve this letter - 'bout dad, 'ca'se I thot mebbe ez how you uns would want ter - knowl. He hez knocked a hole in his ole still, an' is ergoin' - ter leeve these mountings, he sez, an' try ter be 'spectable. So - good-by. I node frum the fust thet you warnt no revnoo. - - "Frum your fr'end furever, - - "_Nell Thornton._" - -"She's an all-right girl," said Bruce, after a pause, "even if she is -rather awkward." - -"Bedad, we had better be gittin' out av the mountains before some more -shootin' takes place," put in Barney. - -"That's right," came from Harry. "One shot like that is enough." - -But the boys lingered for several days, and during that time their newly -made friends did all possible to make the stay a pleasant one. - -"We won't forget you Yale boys!" cried one, on parting. "Let us hear -from you, by all means." - -"Ve vill," said Hans. "Put don't neffer oxbect me to kill some more piks -py mineselluf again alretty!" - -There was a gay time at the parting, for a crowd had come to see them -off as far as the railroad station. - -It had been decided to make their way eastward to the Potomac River, for -Diamond wanted to show his friends that beautiful stream of water. - -"I've sailed on the Potomac many times when at home," said the -Virginian. "And I want to give you boys a sail, too." - -"All right--anything to take it easy," sighed Bruce. "That mountain -climbing was work enough to last a month." - -The ride in the train was enjoyed by all, and as they passed eastward, -mile after mile, Diamond pointed out many objects of interest. - -At last they reached the station to which their wheels had been sent, -and here they left the train. - -"There is an easy road along here," said Jack. "I know you will all -delight in a spin." - -Bruce groaned. - -"More work--and just as I was getting so comfortably settled in that car -seat, too." - -"Oh, brace up, Bruce!" cried Frank, cheerfully. "You've done well ever -since we left New York. Don't collapse on the last lap." - -"All right; I'll brace up," sighed the big fellow, and followed the -others. - -Toots had seen to it that the bicycles were polished to the last degree, -so that they shone like silver in the bright sunshine. - -For over an hour the crowd spun along over the road. - -Then unlucky Hans ran into a hollow, throwing himself over the handle -bars and twisting one of the pedals of his machine. - -Luckily, there was a repair shop not very far off, and to this they took -their way, where a machinist went to work on the wheel without delay. - -While the others were waiting for Hans' bicycle to be mended, Diamond -called Frank to one side. - -"Come down to the river with me," he said. "I want to show you a -particularly fine view." - -"How far?" asked Frank. - -"Only about half a mile." - -"All right, I'll go with you." - -And the two set off, never dreaming of the tremendous surprise in store -for them. - - - - -CHAPTER XI--A TRAITOR AND A SPY - - -"Steady! steady!" roared a commanding voice. "Stroke, keep at it, and -pick it up quicker on the beginning." - -The eight oarsmen in the boat were doing their level best, their oars -flashing in the sunlight as they came dripping from the water to -disappear again, sending the light craft flying along. - -On the shore, which at this point was a high bank, the coach watched -them as they skimmed past, and shouted his commands. - -"Drive your legs at it, four! What are you in the boat for? Carry it -through all the way. Up, now! Long swing! Great Scott! don't think -you've got to break your neck to recover because you pull hard on the -stroke." - -He was a young fellow with a beardless face that plainly indicated his -firm conviction that what he did not know was not worth finding out. His -lips were red and full, and his entire bearing plainly betokened -unlimited self-conceit. - -He was dressed in a flannel outing suit, and wore a straw hat, about -which was a bright red ribbon. His necktie, also, was bright red. On his -feet were well-polished russet shoes. There was a diamond in his tie, -and diamonds set in the rings on his fingers. - -It seemed at a glance that this lad had "money to burn." His swell -appearance was enough to make almost any ordinary boy regard him with -envy and admiration. And his manner would impress an ordinary boy with -his astonishing knowledge and importance in the world. - -"Oh, say!" he shouted; "what do you chaps think you are doing? Feel for -the water. Be delicate and gentle when you are coming forward. This is -not a question of bull strength. If it was, a crew of longshoremen and -freight handlers could row all around you." - -Not a word from the sturdy, sun-browned young fellows in the boat. They -were there to obey, and to stand such abuse as this insolent, -overbearing coach saw fit to heap upon them. - -"Great Scott!" cried the coach, once more. "You chaps make me sick! Will -you never get onto yourselves? There you go, five! Can't you see what -you're doing? You're pulling out, and you are wasting the end of your -stroke. You are finishing ahead of four every time. It would take a club -to beat anything into your head! Vast, turn around, coxswain." - -Then this important person fell back a step, and spoke to another lad, -who was concealed by some bushes, from which he was peering at the crew -in the boat. - -"A lot of lubbers," said the coach, contemptuously. "You fellows needn't -worry about them. You'll show them clear water from the start." - -These words were uttered in a low tone, so they could not be heard by -the rowers. - -The boy hidden in the bushes laughed softly. - -"You are playing them for suckers, all right, Harlow," he said; "but it -does seem to me that they are improving under your coaching. Look out -and not make them so good that they will stand a show of winning over A. -A. C." - -"If they didn't improve, they wouldn't keep me as coach," returned the -other; "but I'll knock the stuffing out of them at the last moment by -advising the removal of a good man and the substitution of a poor one. I -want them to have enough confidence in me by that time so they will do -exactly as I say." - -Two other lads, in bicycle suits, unseen by the treacherous coach and -the spy in the bushes, having left their wheels near the highway that -ran some distance from the river, had come down and stopped near enough -to hear all this conversation. - -They were Diamond and Frank. - -Diamond had brought Merriwell to that point in order to show him the -pretty view of the Potomac River, and not till they had advanced more -than two-thirds the distance from the road did they hear the shouted -cries of the coach, and see him standing on the bluff. - -The curiosity of the boys was aroused, and they came forward quietly to -see what was taking place. - -The coach, and the spy in the bushes, were so absorbed in the movements -of the crew that neither saw Merriwell and Diamond, and so, without -thinking of playing eavesdroppers, the Yale lads heard something that -was not intended for their ears. - -Jack clutched Frank's arm. - -"What do you think of that?" he hissed, his dark face growing still -darker. - -"Think," said Frank, scornfully. "I think that coach should be ducked in -the river!" - -"And I think the spy should be ducked with him!" came fiercely from the -lips of the young Virginian. - -"Look here, Jack!" said Frank, "there is something familiar about that -fellow in flannels. I've seen him before." - -"His voice sounded familiar to me," nodded Diamond. - -At this moment, as if he had heard their voices, the coach looked in -their direction, and saw them. He gave a violent start, seemed a bit -confused, and then cried: - -"What are you doing there--playing the spy? Don't you know you have no -right there?" - -In another instant Frank was bounding toward the spot, followed by Jack. - -"No, we are not spying," said Merriwell, "but we know a chap that is! -Here he is!" - -Then he pounced on the startled youth in the bushes and dragged him -forth, for all of his resistance. - -"Let me go, hang you!" came from the fellow Frank had exposed. "If you -don't let me go, you will be sorry!" - -"I'll let you go when I have shown you to the gentlemen in that boat -down there," declared Frank. "I have dealt with sneaks like you before." - -The spy struggled desperately, furious at the thought of exposure and -disgrace. - -"You shall suffer for this!" he grated. - -Then the coach advanced quickly on Merriwell, speaking in a low tone, -although his voice quivered with passion: - -"Let him go--let him go! If you don't----" - -"What then?" said Jack Diamond, placing himself in the path of the -treacherous coach. "What do you think you will do about it, my fine -fellow?" - -"I will---- Great Scott! It is Jack Diamond!" - -The coach staggered from the shock of the discovery, for up to that -moment he had been too excited to recognize either of the boys. Now he -looked at the other, adding, hoarsely: - -"And that's Frank Merriwell! Satan take the luck!" - -This attracted Frank's attention, so he turned and took a square look at -the coach, in whose appearance he had fancied there was something -familiar from the very first. - -"Great Jove!" he cried. "Rolf Harlow!" - -The name and the sight of its owner awakened a host of unpleasant -memories in Frank's heart. - -Harlow, expelled from Harvard for gambling and cheating at cards, had -come to New Haven in search of "suckers" among the Yale students. He had -been introduced by a student by the name of Harris, and Frank, whose one -great failing was his strong inclination to play cards for a stake, had -been drawn into the game in his endeavor to pull Rattleton out of it. - -In the end it had proved fortunate that Frank was led into the game, for -he had detected Harlow in his crooked dealing and exposed him, -compelling him to give up certain of Diamond's promises to pay, and thus -saving Jack from disgrace. - -Harlow was revengeful, and he had tried to "get square" with Frank, but -each attempt had rebounded disastrously upon him. When last seen, Rolf -was following a circus through the State of Missouri, and working a -shell game on the country people. - -Now he was in Virginia, coaching a crew of oarsmen who were practicing -for a race! - -And, as usual, he was playing a crooked game. - -The crew in the boat saw the struggle on the shore, and wondered what it -meant. There was a landing near, and toward it the coxswain directed the -boat, saying: - -"Pull, fellows! We must go up there and investigate this affair. We have -been watched." - -Harlow turned very pale when he recognized Frank, for he had learned to -fear our hero. He had not dreamed they would meet in Virginia. - -As soon as Diamond could recover from the astonishment of the discovery, -he scornfully cried: - -"Harlow it is, and he is up to his old tricks!" - -The spy, whom Frank had captured, made a savage attempt to thrust -Merriwell from the edge of the bluff into the river, seeing the crew was -coming, and he soon would be face to face with a lot of angry lads who -might not have any mercy on him. - -"Easy, my fine chap!" laughed the Yale athlete. "What's the use! You -can't do it, you know!" - -"Help, Harlow!" appealed the spy. "The Blue Cove fellows are coming, and -they'll be awfully mad!" - -Harlow hesitated, and then a desperate light came into his eyes. Young -ruffian that he was, he always went armed, and now he decided to make an -attempt to bluff Frank. - -With a quick movement, Rolf produced a revolver, which he pointed -straight at Merriwell, crying: - -"Let him go--let him go, or I'll shoot!" - -The expression on his face seemed to indicate that he really meant it, -and Diamond shivered a bit, knowing Harlow as he did, and thinking him -desperate and reckless enough to do almost anything in a burst of -passion. - -Jack crouched to move aside, so he could spring at Rolf, but Harlow saw -the movement, and hissed: - -"Stand still there, or I'll shoot you first!" - -"You don't dare----" began Jack. - -"Don't I?" interrupted the desperate lad with the revolver. "You'll find -I do! I've been jumped on by you fellows till I can't stand any more of -it! This is a case of self-defense, and I can prove it so. You attacked -us! I have a right to defend my life!" - -It was plain that Harlow was trying to convince himself that he was in -the right, and, could he do so, hating Frank Merriwell as he did, it was -certain that he might shoot on the slightest provocation. - -Jack stood still; for the moment he knew not what to do. - -"Come here, Diamond," called Frank, sharply. "Come quick! Don't mind -that fellow! If he does any shooting, I won't leave much of a job for -the lynchers! I believe they string people up down in this State in a -hurry!" - -"Stand where you are, Diamond!" shouted Harlow. - -But Jack obeyed Frank, and Harlow did not shoot. - -"Now, hold this spy, and I will deal with that crook," said Frank, -turning the lad he had captured over to Jack. - -As soon as he had done this, Merriwell started to walk straight toward -Harlow, who still had him covered with the revolver. - -"Stop!" shouted Rolf, fiercely; "stop! or by the Lord Harry, I will -shoot!" - -"Oh, no, you won't," answered Merriwell, with the utmost confidence, as -he calmly continued to advance, apparently as unconcerned as if it were -a toy pistol in the hand of his enemy. - -Harlow hesitated, and gasped. Reckless though he was, intensely though -he hated Frank, he had not the nerve to shoot the cool lad down. - -Through Harlow's head flashed a thought. What if he should pull the -trigger, and the revolver failed to go off? He knew Merriwell would be -on him like a furious tiger. He knew Merriwell would have no mercy. - -He dared not try to shoot. The eyes of the Yale athlete were fastened -steadily upon him, and there was something in their depths that made him -falter. - -One, two, three seconds, and then Frank's hand grasped the revolver and -firmly turned it aside. Harlow seemed incapable of resistance, and, to -his own astonishment, as well as to the unutterable amazement of the -witnesses of the act, Frank took the revolver away without being -resisted. - -Diamond was paralyzed by the nerve of his friend. Although he had known -Frank long, and thought he knew him fully, this act was a revelation to -him. - -Then it was, while Diamond was staring and muttering, that the spy -suddenly struck him a terrific blow behind the ear, sending Jack to -grass. - -For an instant Diamond was stunned, and when he recovered, the spy was -far away, running as if his very life depended on it. - -Jack scrambled up as quickly as he could, and would have followed, but -Frank called: - -"Let him go! It's useless to chase him." - -"Well, that was a fool trick of mine!" growled the Virginian, disgusted -with himself. "I ought to have a leather medal!" - -The boat's crew had made a landing, and now they came toward the spot on -a run. Handsome, manly young chaps, from sixteen to nineteen, they were. - -"Genuine Virginians, they are!" muttered Jack, admiringly. "They don't -grow anything better anywhere!" - -Harlow seemed cowed by what had taken place. - -Since being disarmed without a struggle, all the spirit seemed to have -left him. He stood still, looking sullen and uncertain, as if not quite -sure what to do. - -Up came the oarsmen, a solid-looking, brown-eyed lad in the lead. - -"What's all this about, anyway?" he sharply asked, addressing Rolf. "Who -are these chaps, and what are they doing?" - -An idea came to Harlow; he grasped at it. - -"They are spies--enemies!" he quickly declared. "They were watching here -in the bushes. They must be connected with the Alexandria fellows." - -Then the rowers, sunburned and brawny appearing, gathered about Frank -and Jack, regarding them with anything but pleasant looks. - -"Give it to 'em!" shouted Harlow, hoping to set the boys on Frank and -Jack before any explanation could be made. "See here--don't you see one -of them threatening me with a revolver? They are desperadoes!" - -"In that case, gentlemen, perhaps it would be well enough not to push us -too hard," coolly observed Frank, as he moved the muzzle of the revolver -about in a careless manner. "Just give us time to say something for -ourselves." - -"Don't listen!" cried Rolf, wildly. "They will try to lie out of it, but -I saw them spying!" - -"Who was the chap that ran away?" asked the leader of the oarsmen, the -stroke, whose name was Kent Spencer. - -"He was one of them," asserted Harlow. - -"In that case, it is odd we didn't run away with him," smiled Frank. "We -might have done so, you know." - -"Well, why didn't you?" asked Spencer. - -"Because there was no reason why we should run, and several reasons why -we should stay. We can tell you a few things that may surprise you." - -"Don't listen to their lies!" shouted Harlow. "Pitch them into the -river! It's what they deserve!" - -For a moment it seemed that the young oarsmen would obey him. They -seemed about to precipitate themselves on the strangers. Again Frank's -coolness caused a delay. - -"If you want to souse us in the river after we have made our -explanation, you can do so," he smiled; "but isn't it well enough to -hear what we have to say first?" - -"I don't see that it can do any harm," admitted Spencer. "Give the -fellows a show, boys, but don't let 'em get away." - -This did not suit Rolf Harlow at all, but he saw it was useless to try -to urge the oarsmen on. They were inclined to obey Spencer. - -"All right!" he grated; "listen to their lies, if you like. You'll be -disgusted when you hear what they have to say." - -Spencer eyed Harlow closely, wondering why he should be so eager to keep -the strangers from speaking. He seemed to fear something that he knew -would be said. - -"As for lies," said Frank, "if I am not mistaken, I fancy you will hear -a few from this fine gentleman who has been coaching you, but who is a -traitor to you at the same time." - -"A traitor!" cried Spencer. "Be careful! Mr. Harlow is a gentleman and a -student of Yale College." - -"A what?" shouted Diamond. - -"A what?" echoed Merriwell. "Why, the nearest this fellow ever came to -the inside of Yale College was Jackson's poker joint in New Haven. If he -has represented himself as a student of Yale, it shows he began by lying -to you right off the reel. This fellow was expelled from Harvard, and -was drummed out of New Haven for cheating at cards! That's the kind of a -bird he is!" - - - - -CHAPTER XII--HARLOW'S DISCOMFITURE - - -Something like a grating imprecation escaped Harlow's lips, and it -seemed that he would leap for Frank's throat. - -But the revolver was still in Merriwell's hand, and, somehow, its muzzle -wandered around, and stopped when it covered Rolf. - -The accused lad literally gnashed his teeth. - -The others were aghast for a moment, and then Kent Spencer seriously -said: - -"Look here, sir, you will have to prove that charge. Otherwise, you will -find you have made a big mistake in accusing a gentleman of being a -blackguard." - -"I can prove it without a struggle," assured Frank. - -"How?" - -"In several ways. To begin with, I am a student at Yale myself. It was -in New Haven I first met this crook. I exposed him when he was bleeding -some of my friends by playing poker with them and using marked cards." - -"A lie!" Harlow almost screamed; "a vile lie!" - -"It is the truth," asserted Jack Diamond. "I was in that game. Harlow -beat me, and he would have beaten me worse but for Mr. Merriwell." - -"Mr. Who?" Spencer shouted. - -"Merriwell." - -"Who is Mr. Merriwell?" - -"That is Mr. Merriwell right there," said Jack, nodding toward Frank. - -"Frank Merriwell--Frank Merriwell, the ball player and all-around -athlete?" questioned Spencer, excitedly. - -"That's who he is," assured the Virginian. - -"Then Mr. Harlow should be very well acquainted with him," said the -stroke of the crew, "for he has said that Frank Merriwell is his -particular friend." - -"Yes," spoke up another, "he referred us to Frank Merriwell when he -applied for the position to coach our crew." - -"My eyes! what a crust!" shouted Diamond. "I never heard of such cheek! -He referred you to Merry because he thought you could not reach him by -letter as he knew Merry was somewhere out West on a bicycle tour." - -"All of us had heard of Mr. Merriwell," said Spencer. "We saw his name -in the papers often. A sporting magazine spoke of him as the destined -leader in baseball and football at Yale. Besides that, I know a person -who is personally acquainted with him. Naturally, when Mr. Harlow -declared that Frank Merriwell was a particular friend of his we were -inclined to regard him with favor, and I am greatly astonished to -discover that he has been deceiving us." - -Harlow looked disgusted. - -"I presume you are ready to take the word of these strangers against -me!" he exclaimed. "I didn't think that of you, but----" - -"If this is Frank Merriwell, why shouldn't we take his word?" - -"How do you know he is Frank Merriwell?" demanded Rolf. - -"I can prove that with ease," smiled Frank, thrusting his hand into his -pocket and pulling forth some letters. "Here is some of my -correspondence, here is my card, and here is my name and address on this -key check. If you want further proof, gentlemen, I can show you my name -marked upon my clothes." - -"That is quite enough," assured Spencer. "We are satisfied that you are -what you represent yourself to be. And now will you be good enough to -tell us the meaning of this struggle here on the bank?" - -"With pleasure," bowed Frank. "My friend here, Jack Diamond, a Virginian -born and bred, asked me to leave the road over yonder and come here, -where he could show me a pretty view of the Potomac. We locked our -bicycles to a tree, where it was not likely they would be seen, and came -this way. As we approached, we saw this chap in flannels standing on the -bank and shouting his orders to your crew. Curiosity brought us nearer, -and then we heard him talking with another chap who was hidden in the -bushes where he could watch your work. From what we overheard----" - -It was getting too hot for Harlow, and he interrupted Frank. - -"It is plain to me," he cried, "that you are ready to take the word of a -stranger instead of mine, and that is too much for me to stand. That -being the case, I'll leave you with your new friends." - -He was about to hurry from the spot, but Frank checked him. - -"Hold on, Harlow," he said, suavely. "I have your revolver, you know." - -"Then give it to me!" - -"Come take it." - -Although thus invited, Rolf did not hasten to obey, for the muzzle of -the weapon was looking straight at him. - -"I thought you would wait a while," nodded Frank. "You shall have the -gun directly." - -Then he continued his story: - -"From what we overheard, we learned that your coach and the spy in the -bushes were in league with each other. Evidently, the spy belongs to a -rival crew, and he was watching to get points from your work." - -Exclamations of anger broke from the rowers, and it was plain they were -greatly incensed. - -Harlow fidgeted uneasily. A short time before, he had been very popular -among these fellows, but now they regarded him with distrust and -positive contempt. - -All through Frank Merriwell! How he hated Merriwell! - -"It was one of the A. A. C. fellows!" cried a red-headed fellow, whose -name was Fred Dobbs. "I thought I recognized him from the river." - -It was plain that Spencer was loath to believe such a thing about any -person. - -"Why should Mr. Harlow betray us?" he asked, in an undecided way. - -"That's it!" cried Rolf, catching at this as a drowning person might -catch at a floating chip. "Why should I do such a thing?" - -"He'll do anything for money!" scornfully exclaimed Jack Diamond. - -"And the Alexandria fellows have money to burn," came from Fred Dobbs. -"They are furious because we won the championship of the Potomac last -year, and they mean to win it back this year by fair means or foul. I -can understand why they should buy up our coach." - -"But Harlow has seemed to work for our interest thus far," said another. -"Surely we have improved under his coaching." - -"If you hadn't you would not have confidence in him as a coach, would -you?" asked Jack. - -"No, of course not." - -"Well, that's just where he has been playing his card shrewdly. He -wanted you to have enough confidence so you would make up your crew at -the last minute just as he directed. That would settle it." - -Harlow saw the case had gone against him. - -"Settle it to suit yourselves!" he cried. "This is the first time ever I -was treated like this! I fancied they raised gentlemen down here in -Virginia!" - -"And so they do!" came sternly from Kent Spencer; "but we have found -they are not always all gentlemen who come down here from the North. Mr. -Harlow, you shall be given a fair show. A meeting of the Blue Cove -Academy Athletic Club shall be called, and the charges against you shall -be impartially investigated. If they are proven, we shall publicly -proclaim you a scoundrel. But you will be given a good opportunity to -disprove them. You can ask for nothing more." - -Rolf braced up. - -"I do not ask for anything more," he declared. "I will be on hand at the -meeting, and I will prove that I have been defamed and lied about by -these fellows. I did think Frank Merriwell was my friend; but he is -never a friend to a rival in athletics and sports, so he has turned -against me, and is trying to down me." - -This came near being too much for Jack Diamond to stand. Knowing Frank -as he did, and thinking how generous Merriwell always was in dealing -with a rival, Jack felt like slapping Rolf across the mouth. - -Frank seemed to divine the feelings and thoughts of his comrade, for he -caught Jack's arm, saying, swiftly but quietly: - -"Never mind that, my boy. If it's a lie, these fellows will find it out -in time, and it will harm nobody but the one who told it." - -Jack growled a bit, but he always obeyed Frank, so Rolf escaped. - -"Here, Mr. Harlow," said Merriwell, reversing the revolver and handing -it to its owner, "here is the gun you pulled on me. I have no further -use for it." - -Sourly, the exposed rascal accepted the weapon, and put it in his -pocket. Then he said: - -"I am going now, and I leave you fellows to listen to the lies these -chaps may tell about me. I don't care! They don't cut any ice. I'll be -on hand at the investigation, and I'll show you what monumental liars -they both are." - -Then he walked away, not a hand being lifted to stop him. - -"Mr. Merriwell," said Kent Spencer, when Rolf had vanished, "I am -pleased to meet you, but sorry that the meeting should be under such -unpleasant circumstances." - -"Don't mention it," smiled Frank. "I am glad to be of service to you in -helping expose a rascal like Harlow." - -"If the charges against Harlow stand, we'll need a new coach," quickly -put in Fred Dobbs. - -"That's right," nodded Spencer; "and I don't know where we will get one, -unless we can induce Mr. Merriwell to serve us." - -"He'll make a dandy for you!" cried Diamond. "The first year he was in -Yale he coached the freshmen so that we beat the sophomores without a -struggle, and we had the poorer boat, too. Oh, Frank can put you in -shape all right." - -"We may not need a coach," said a slender chap by the name of Bob Dean. -"If Alexandria has resorted to such dirty tricks as putting spies on us -and bribing our coach, I am for refusing to row with them." - -"And I!" - -"Same here!" - -"I'm another!" - -The boys of Blue Cove Academy were aroused. - -"Easy, fellows," advised Spencer. "We must row with Alexandria. If not, -with whom can we row?" - -"Bristol Academy," suggested one. - -Kent shook his head. - -"It won't do," he declared. "Bristol is not in our class. And everybody -would say we were afraid to meet Alexandria. If there was another -crew----" - -Diamond struck Frank a slap on the shoulder. - -"By Jove, Merry!" he cried; "we can turn out a crew ourselves. If we can -get into this race, why not do so? Blue Cove Academy against the Yale -Combine. That should be a better race than the other. It would attract -more attention." - -The Blue Cove boys were interested immediately. - -"What do you mean?" asked Bob Dean. "How could you row against us? Where -is your crew?" - -"The rest of them are stopping at a bicycle repair shop near Brooke," -Jack explained. "Merry and I rode out by ourselves for a spin, and that -is how we happened to be here. Say, fellows, this is a great idea! Let -us into this race, anyway. We are on a regular athletic tour, and have -taken part in every event we could get into since leaving San Francisco. -We've left a trail of glory all the way from California to Virginia." - -The Blue Cove boys looked at each other doubtingly. Bob Dean was the -only one who seemed to snap at the scheme with eagerness. - -"Let's do it, fellows!" he cried. "Let's leave Alexandria out and race -with the Yale crowd!" - -"I do not think we can leave Alexandria out now," said Spencer, gravely. -"We have agreed to meet them, and the time is set." - -"But think of the sneaking trick they have played on us! That ought to -be enough to queer them." - -"It ought to, but we can't be hasty in this matter. We'll consider it at -the special meeting that will be called to investigate the charges -against Harlow. Mr. Merriwell, you and your friend must be present at -that meeting." - -"If necessary, we'll be there." - -"And if we were to decide to let you into the race, have you a boat?" - -"If you decide to let us in, we'll soon provide ourselves with a boat," -declared Frank. - -"Anyway, you must come to Blue Cove Academy--all of you. The boys will -make you welcome. Will you come?" - -"Where is the academy?" - -"Up the river about four miles." - -"Yes, we will come." - -"Good!" shouted the oarsmen. "We'll give you a jolly reception." - -Then Kent Spencer drew Frank aside. - -"Mr. Merriwell," he said, "my knowledge of you has not been obtained -entirely from the papers." - -"Indeed?" smiled Frank, lifting his eyebrows. - -"No; I have heard much of you from a personal friend and admirer who is -stopping at the Cove." - -"That is pleasant news. I shall be pleased to meet him. I am always glad -to meet my friends. Is it a Yale man?" - -"No," said Kent, "it is not a Yale man. It is some one you have not seen -in a long time. There is a little hotel down at the Cove, and you must -bring your party there. This friend of yours is stopping at the cottage -of a retired sea captain who lives at the Cove. My sister is also -stopping at the same place." - -In vain Frank urged Spencer to tell the name of the mysterious person of -whom he spoke. He declared that it was some one Merriwell would be -delighted to see, and that was all Frank could get out of him. - -"Well," laughed Merry, "you have aroused my curiosity so that I am going -down to Blue Cove immediately. I shall send Jack back to Brooke for the -rest of the fellows, but I shall continue on to Blue Cove." - -This pleased Spencer. - -"Do it!" he cried. "You won't be sorry." - -Then Frank went back and told Jack of his decision. - -"I will go on to Blue Cove and make arrangements for our party at the -hotel," he said, "while you are to go back for the fellows." - -Jack was not quite pleased with the idea of wheeling back to the others -all alone, but he did not murmur much. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII--AGAINST ODDS - - -A short time later, the Blue Cove boys were pulling up the river in -their boat, while Diamond was riding in one direction and Merriwell in -another. - -Frank arrived at the Cove ahead of the crew. He found a pretty little -spot, with a hotel set back on an elevation from the water, while the -academy was surrounded by well-kept grounds and tall trees. - -It was the vacation season at the academy, but two of the professors -lived in the building the year around, and by the rule of the -institution, the annual boat race on the Potomac was not allowed during -the spring term. For some years it had been a midsummer event, a number -of students remaining at the academy and getting into trim after the -spring term was over. - -As the Cove was something of a summer resort, where there were often -many pretty girls, this was a pleasure instead of a hardship, and the -rivalry for the crew was intense. - -Often from six to a dozen students besides the crew remained at Blue -Cove during the summer, and at the time of the race every student who -could get there was on hand. - -There were nearly a dozen cottages at the Cove, and Frank's first view -of the place brought a cry of delight from his lips. - -Amid the trees, hammocks were swung, and in them could be seen several -girls in light dresses, idly perusing paper-covered novels or chatting -with the young fellows who lingered near. - -There were two large tennis courts, and upon one of these, despite the -warm sun, a party of four, two fellows and two girls, were engaged in a -most exciting game. - -Above the Blue Cove Academy boathouse flew a beautiful flag, and several -pleasure boats lay beside a float, or were moored at a distance from the -shore. - -"Great stuff!" exclaimed Frank, with satisfaction. "And to think we -might have missed this place but for the little adventure down the -river. We won't do a thing here but have sport!" - -Straight to the hotel he rode, attracting some attention. Soon he had -disposed of his wheel, and made arrangements for the accommodation of -his party, fortunately being on hand in time to take some rooms left -vacant by some visitors who had departed that morning. - -Having settled this matter, Frank went out to look for Kent Spencer and -the crew. He found they were not yet in sight, and he was devoured by -curiosity to learn without delay what friend of his was stopping at the -Cove. - -Being thus impatient, Frank made inquiries about a retired sea captain -who lived in the neighborhood. - -He was told that an old sea captain by the name of Tobias Barnaby lived -about half a mile away. Barnaby was said to be queer, having -considerable money, but being rather close-fisted and mean. - -Frank was shown a path that led over a rise and through some timber to -Barnaby's home, and he immediately set off in that direction. - -Merry's curiosity seemed to increase as he hurried along the path. What -friend of his could be stopping with this queer old sea captain? It was -some one who had spoken well of him to Kent Spencer. - -The timber through which the path passed was rather thick, and Frank did -not obtain a sight of the old sailor's home till he came out suddenly -and saw the wood-colored roof of the old house showing amid the trees in -a little hollow at his feet. - -"Well, that's a cozy nest!" he muttered, as he paused to admire the -picture; "and the last place in the world where I should expect to find -any one who knows me." - -At that moment he was startled by a sound that came from the midst of -the trees near the back of the house. - -"Go away and let me alone!" sounded the voice of a girl. "If you -don't---- Help! he-e-e-lp!" - -The cry for help was uttered in a smothered, frightened manner, and it -stirred Frank Merriwell's blood from his crown to his toes. - -"I think I am needed down there!" he muttered. - -With that, he went leaping down the steep path at breakneck speed. - -"Stop your screaming!" roughly commanded a voice. "I won't hurt you, you -little fool! But I am going to kiss you, and you can't stop me, for I -know old Barnaby is away. I saw him row off in his boat." - -"Help--help! Kate!" cried the appealing voice of the girl from the midst -of the trees back of the old house. - -These voices served to guide Frank. He left the path and rushed toward -the spot from whence the frightened appeal came, his feet making very -little noise on the grass. - -In a moment he came upon a spectacle that fired his heart with the -greatest rage. - -A girl with golden hair was struggling in the arms of a young fellow, -who was doing his best to hold her while he pressed a kiss upon her -unwilling lips. - -And that young fellow was Rolf Harlow! - -Frank recognized his enemy at a glance, and the sight of the fellow -added to the consuming fury burning in his breast. - -By brute strength, Harlow overcame the girl, and, as he held her -helpless in his arms, he laughed triumphantly, crying: - -"What's the use to make so much fuss! I won't hurt you. I was stuck on -you the first time I saw you, my little peach, and I made a bet that I'd -kiss you within two days. I must do the job now, or lose my bet." - -"Then you will lose your bet!" - -Rolf heard the words, but he had no time to turn and meet Frank, who was -right upon him. - -In a moment, Frank had torn the girl from Harlow's arms, and planted a -hammer-like blow under the fellow's ear. - -Merry's knuckles cracked on the neck of the young ruffian, and Harlow -went down as if he had been struck by a club. - -With the girl on his arm, his fist clinched, Frank stood over Rolf, -ready to give him another if he tried to get up. - -But Harlow lay gasping and quivering on the ground, knocked out for the -moment. - -The girl, who was almost swooning, slipped her soft arm about Frank's -neck, and then, to his astonishment, he heard her whisper: - -"Frank! Frank! is it you--can it be?" - -Then he looked at her, and, to his unbounded astonishment and joy, he -saw resting against his shoulder the sweet, flower-like face of Elsie -Bellwood. - -Was he dreaming? For a moment it seemed that he must be. He doubted the -evidence of his eyes. - -Was this Elsie, his old-time girl, of whom he had thought so often and -so tenderly--Elsie, of whom he had dreamed, and whom he longed to -see--Elsie, blue-eyed, golden-haired, trusting and true! - -How his heart leaped and fluttered! How the love-light leaped into his -eyes! How his stern face softened! - -It was Elsie--dear little Elsie--the old sea captain's daughter, and, if -possible, she was sweeter, prettier, more attractive than when last he -had seen her. - -She was pale when he first looked at her, but as she saw the joyous -light of recognition in his eyes, the warm color stole into her cheeks, -and she gasped with a delight that was almost childish. - -"It is!" she panted; "it is Frank--my Frank!" - -He drew her close to him, forgetting the scoundrel he had knocked down. -Both his arms were about her, and for the moment the joy of his heart -was too deep for words. - -She lay in his strong arms, laughing, almost crying, half hysterical, -wholly happy. From the terror and despair of a few moments before to -relief and joy of the present was so great a revulsion of emotions that -she felt herself incapable of any movement or act. - -It was the same noble fellow she knew so well, only it seemed that he -was handsomer and nobler in appearance than ever before. He was older, -and there was more than a hint of dawning manhood in his face. - -For the time, wrapped about with the unbounded delight of their -unexpected meeting, they were utterly oblivious to their surroundings. -They did not see Rolf Harlow struggle to a sitting posture, rubbing the -spot where Frank's fist had been planted. They did not see him glaring -at Merriwell with deadly hate, while he felt to make sure that his -revolver was where his hand could find it quickly. - -Harlow arose quietly to his feet, assuming a crouching posture, ready to -leap upon Frank, whose back was toward him. - -At that instant, a handsome, black-eyed girl came running around the -corner of the house, closely followed by another lad, the latter being -the spy Merriwell and Diamond had detected in the bushes farther down -the river. - -A cry from the lips of the girl warned Frank, and caused him to whirl -quickly about. As he did this, Harlow leaped and struck out with all his -strength. - -Frank was able to dodge slightly and avoid the full force of the blow. -However, he did not escape it entirely, and it staggered him. He -released his hold upon Elsie immediately, for Harlow was closely -following up the attack, and Merriwell saw he was in for a fight with -the furious young scoundrel. - -That would have not alarmed Frank, but Harlow called to the other lad: - -"Here, Radford, jump in here and help me thump the stuffing out of him! -He's alone! It's the chap who caught you down the river, and he just hit -me a thump when I wasn't looking. Come on!" - -"I'm with you!" shouted Radford. "We'll lick him till he can't stand! -This is our chance to get square!" - -He hastened to join Harlow in the attack upon Frank. - -Merriwell laughed. It was his old, dangerous laugh, which came from his -lips when he was most aroused in time of peril. - -"Come, on!" he invited, promptly. "Sail right in and lick me! I'll watch -and see how you do it! The way I feel now, it would take four or five -more such chaps as you to do that little job! There is one for you, -Radford!" - -Harlow had struck at Frank. Merry dodged under his arm, came up behind -him, and struck Radford a stinging blow before Rolf could turn about. - -Then a furious struggle began, while the two girls, clasped in each -other's arms, looked on in terror, fearing the dauntless fellow who was -battling against such odds would be severely punished. - -"Who is he, Elsie?" gasped the other girl. "Isn't he brave! Isn't he -smart! Oh, I never saw a fellow who could fight like that! I do admire a -fellow who can fight!" - -"It's terrible!" whispered timid little Elsie, her hands clasped in -distress. "A fight always terrifies me! But they can't whip him!" she -declared, with the utmost confidence. "I know they can't!" - -"Who is he? You must know him, and you have not told me who he is." - -"That is Frank Merriwell, of whom I have told you so much, Kate," said -Elsie, proudly. "He is the bravest fellow in the whole world!" - -"Frank Merriwell?" cried Kate Spencer, for it was Kent Spencer's sister. -"How can that be? How comes he here?" - -"I don't know yet, but he came just in time to save me from that Rolf -Harlow, whom I fear and detest. He knocked Harlow down." - -"And Berlin Radford was holding me so I could not come to your -assistance when you were crying for help. They knew Aunt Hannah had gone -to the store, and they saw Uncle Tobias row away in his boat. That was -how they dared do it." - -"Look!" gasped Elsie; "see how they are fighting now: It is dreadful!" - -She covered her face with her hands, but the other girl continued to -watch the fighting lads, her heart beating in sympathy for Frank -Merriwell. - -Radford was a savage fighter, and Merry found him even more formidable -than Rolf Harlow. Radford was a member of the Alexandria Athletic Club, -although he had been stopping in Blue Cove a few days. - -Frank did not escape some punishment, but he skillfully managed to cause -his enemies to interfere with each other to a certain extent, and when -he did strike a blow they were certain to feel it. - -Three times was Harlow sent to grass, and Radford was knocked down -twice, the second blow causing blood to spurt from his nose, on which -Merriwell's hard fist had landed. - -Still, encouraging each other, they pressed Frank hard. Finally, Radford -got in a blow that brought Merriwell to his knees. - -Elsie, who had uncovered her eyes, screamed with fear, and held her -hands over her face once more. - -Kate quivered with excitement and fear. - -"Oh, the cowards!" she exclaimed. "He could whip either one of them -alone!" - -"And I can whip them both together!" panted Frank, who caught her words. - -"On him--on him!" shouted Harlow. "Now is our time to do him up! We can -finish him in a hurry!" - -Both boys rushed at Frank. Radford was in advance. Merriwell ducked and -arose. He had grasped Radford about the ankles, and he lifted the fellow -into the air, flinging him clean over his head! - -Radford fell and struck on his back, while Frank was barely in time to -grapple with Harlow. Rolf's rush swept Merriwell back, and both fell -over Radford's prostrate form. - -Then the latter made a scramble, and the two pinned Frank to the ground! - -They had him foul at last! - - - - -CHAPTER XIV--FRANK AND ELSIE - - -As well might they have tried to hold an eel. With a squirming twist, -Frank managed to writhe from beneath them, somehow thumping their heads -together till they were dazed by the stars that seemed to flash before -their eyes. While they were in this condition, he got upon his feet, -breathing heavily, but laughing as if it were a matter of sport. - -Harlow and Radford sprang up quickly. They located Frank, and, though -amazed by the manner in which he had escaped them, renewed the attack. - -Now all three were fighting somewhat slower, as if the strain upon them -was telling on their wind. - -The struggle was still raging when a stout, motherly-looking woman, with -a basket in her hand, came around the corner, and stopped, staring in -amazement at the scene. - -"Well, I never!" she exclaimed. - -The girls heard her, saw her, flew to her. - -"Oh, Mrs. Barnaby!" cried Elsie. - -"Oh, Aunt Hannah!" exclaimed Kate. - -"Stop them!" palpitated the girl with the blue eyes and golden hair. - -"Drive away those horrid fellows who are trying to whip the one in the -bicycle suit!" urged the other girl. - -"What's all the row about, anyhow?" asked the woman. - -Then, hurriedly and brokenly, the two girls told her what had happened. -Her kindly face grew stern and her eyes flashed as she listened. - -"The rascals!" she exploded. "They oughter be hoss-whipped! I'd like to -do it, too! Hey! you git out!" - -She flourished her hands and swung the basket about, but the fighting -lads did not heed her command. - -Then Aunt Hannah hastened forward boldly and resolutely struck Rolf -Harlow over the head with the basket. - -Smash--spatter! - -The basket contained eggs, and they were broken and smashed over -Harlow's head. Out flew the sticky, yellow mass, spattering all over -Rolf. - -A howl of astonishment and dismay broke from the lips of the rascal, and -then, taking one look at the angry woman, he turned and fled, while Kate -Spencer screamed with laughter. - -Seeing he was deserted, Berlin Radford did not delay about following his -friend, and the two were hard scrambling up the path, and uttering cries -of impotent rage. - -There was a hammock near, in which Elsie Bellwood had been reclining -when Rolf Harlow came upon her and into it Kate Spencer dropped, holding -her handkerchief to her face and laughing as if she would lose her -breath. - -"Oh, goodness!" she cried. "Oh, Aunt Hannah! didn't you do it that time! -Ha! ha! ha! How astonished and disgusted that chap looked! And what a -spectacle he made as he stood there, with those broken eggs dripping -down his face and neck! Oh! oh! oh! Brother Kent will die when I tell -him about this!" - -"The rascals!" burst forth the woman, as she stood with her smashed and -dripping basket in her hand, regarding it in dismay. "All them good eggs -broke to pieces, and I jest bought 'em over at the store! Who's goin' to -pay for them eggs?" - -"I will be happy to pay for them," laughed Frank. "It was worth the -price of a bushel of eggs to see Rolf Harlow after you struck him with -the basket. I have to thank you for saving me the trouble of finishing -both those chaps." - -Elsie ran to Frank. - -"Oh, are you hurt much?" she fluttered. "I am afraid you are hurt!" - -"Not a bit, dear little girl," smiled Merry, tenderly. "They did thump -me a few times, but all that thumping did not damage me at all." - -It was nearly ten minutes before Kate Spencer could stop laughing, and -for an hour afterward she would break out occasionally when she -remembered how Harlow had looked after being struck by the basket. - -The whole affair was explained to Mrs. Barnaby, and Frank was -introduced. He promised to send her over another basket of eggs from the -store, which eased her feelings greatly. - -"I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Merriwell, sir," said the good woman. "Elsie -has told us lots about ye, but I never expected to see you here." - -Frank explained how, by accident, he came to be there, telling of the -treacherous work in which he had detected Harlow not long before. - -"The fellow must have come directly here after returning to Blue Cove," -he said. "And that other chap was the spy." - -"That other chap has been stopping at the Cove a few days," said Kate -Spencer. "He thinks he is a masher, and he was determined to force his -attentions upon me." - -After they had talked a short time, Mrs. Barnaby went into the house, -and Kate, seeing Frank and Elsie wished to be alone, soon excused -herself and left them seated in the hammock. - -"Oh, Frank," whispered Elsie, looking up at him with her innocent blue -eyes, "I am so glad to see you again! I had begun to fear we'd never see -each other any more." - -"And I had begun to fear so myself, dear little girl," he confessed. "I -did not know where you were, for you were sailing over the world with -your father, and you did not have any permanent address." - -"You did not answer the last two letters I wrote you." - -"I answered every letter I received from you, Elsie. It must be they did -not reach me." - -A look of relief added to the happiness of her sweet face. - -"And I thought you were getting so far above the sea captain's poor -little daughter that you did not wish to answer. I heard that you were -in college, and that you had become famous, and--and all that. Oh, -Frank! you cannot know how I waited, and watched, and longed for an -answer to my letters!" - -"It was a shame, little girl! But you should have known me better than -to think I would forget you. You should have known that, no matter what -fortune might befall me, I could not forget you. I have thought of you a -hundred--a thousand--a million times! I have longed to see you more than -I can tell!" - -His arm was about her waist, and he drew her close. Her golden head fell -on his shoulder, and she smiled up into his eyes. - -"How does it happen that I find you here?" he asked. - -"Capt. Barnaby is one of father's old sailor friends. He has told father -many times that I could have a home with him, and at last, when I was -tired of going to sea, father sent me here. Here I met Kate Spencer. -Mrs. Barnaby is her own aunt." - -"And you are not going to sea any more?" - -"No; I am tired of it. I have tried to induce father to leave the sea -and settle down, but he always says: 'After one more voyage.' I'm afraid -he'll never give it up. He was rich once, you know, but he put all his -money in ships, and his ships met with bad fortune, so he lost -everything. It is his dream to wrest fortune from the sea once more." - -"I am glad you are going to sea no more, for now I shall know where to -find you, and you will receive all my letters." - -"Oh, Frank!" she murmured; "I believe you are braver and nobler than you -used to be--if possible." - -"And you, Elsie--why, I didn't dream you could become prettier than you -were, but you have!" - -Light-hearted, whistling on his way, Frank returned to the hotel at Blue -Cove. - -Kent Spencer, who was seated in a bamboo chair on the veranda, smiled on -him as he approached. - -"Well, Mr. Merriwell," he called, "I should say by your face that you -have found the friend I told you about?" - -Frank laughed and nodded, blushing a bit. - -"You are right," he confessed; "and it was the surprise of my life. But -it was lucky I went over, for I was just in time to protect her from -Rolf Harlow. By the way, have you seen Harlow within a short time?" - -"I have," nodded Spencer; "and I rather fancy I know the spy you saw -with him. Something had happened to Harlow when he showed up at the -hotel a short time ago, for his clothes were very wet, and he looked -wretched and disgusted. A fellow by the name of Berlin Radford was with -him." - -Frank laughed heartily. - -"I'll tell you what happened to Harlow," he said, and then proceeded to -describe the fight, and the climax when Mrs. Barnaby struck Rolf over -the head with the basket of eggs. - -Spencer joined in Frank's merriment. - -"He had washed the broken eggs from his clothes, and that is why they -were so wet," declared Kent. - -"Where are those fellows now?" - -"They're gone." - -"Gone? Where?" - -"I don't know where, but they ordered a carriage as soon as they reached -the hotel, and it did not take them long to pack up and get out. I am -inclined to think they are gone for good." - -"Which may prove a lucky thing for them." - -"I rather fancy so, as I should have called Radford to account for -annoying my sister. Wasn't he the spy you caught?" - -"He was," nodded Frank. - -"I fancied as much when I saw him with Harlow. You have done Blue Cove -Academy a great service to-day, Mr. Merriwell. We did not suspect -Harlow. As for Radford, he has been here but a few days. It must be that -he is a member of the Alexandria Athletic Club, although we did not know -it. I didn't think those fellows up there would resort to such low -tricks; but they are bound to beat us this year and win back the title -of champions, which they lost last year. They have money, and I -understand they are betting heavily that they will win." - -"I hope you will let our crew into this race," said Frank. "It will add -to the sport, even if you row Alexandria, which I think you had better -do." - -"I will see that a meeting of the association is called immediately, and -the matter shall be considered. I am for taking you in. If Alexandria -kicks, let them stay out." - -Frank expressed his satisfaction if such arrangement could be made, and -then went up to his room. - -An hour later, the others of the Yale Combine arrived at the hotel, -Diamond in the lead, and Hans Dunnerwust bringing up the rear, as usual. - -At least a dozen of the Blue Cove Academy boys were on hand to greet the -young bicyclists, who gave a cheer when they saw Frank come out of the -hotel. - -"Hurro!" shouted Barney. "Here we are Frankie, me b'y!" - -"Yaw!" cried Hans; "here you vos, Vrankie, mein poy! You peen glat to -seen us, ain't id?" - -"Gol darn my punkins!" drawled Ephraim Gallup; "but this here is a slick -place, I snum!" - -"Diamond tells us there is a chance for some sport here," said -Rattleton. "That's what we're looking for, you bet!" - -Bruce groaned. - -"I'm looking for quinine, blankets, hot water, pepper tea, any old thing -to warm me up!" he said. "I feel another of those confounded Arkansas -chills coming on." - -Then Frank introduced his friends to Kent Spencer, and there followed a -general case of introducing. The Blue Cove lads seemed a rather pleasant -set of fellows, reminding Frank and his friends of the Lake Lily boys. - -Browning did not stop for introductions, but hustled into the hotel, and -lost no time in beginning the battle to ward off a chill. Browning's -chills were unpleasant for him, but they were the subject of much joking -on the part of his comrades. - -Frank had been certain that the boys would be hungry when they arrived, -and he had ordered a square meal served for them all, so that the table -was ready for them shortly after they appeared and washed up in their -rooms. - -Browning was on the bed, covered with quilts and blankets, which he had -pilfered from the beds of the other fellows, gulping down quinine in -huge doses and groaning dismally. - -"Aren't you coming down to get something to eat, old fellow?" asked -Hodge. - -"Oh, yes, I'm cuc-cuc-cuc-coming down to eat!" chattered Bruce, -sarcastically. "I'd enjoy eating, wouldn't I?" - -"We'll have something good," grinned Rattleton. "We'll have posen -frudding--I mean frozen pudding." - -"Boo!" gasped the big fellow. "Dud--dud-don't speak of it!" - -"And ice cream--good, cold ice cream." - -"Gug-gug-get out bub-bub-bub-before I tut-tut-throw you out!" roared -Browning, in exasperation. "You are tut-tut-taking your life in your -hand when you cuc-cuc-come around me talking about ice cuc-cuc-cuc---- -Confound it! get out!" - -Then the laughing lads left him alone in his misery. - -It was a jolly meal in the cool dining-room of the little hotel. The -boys cracked jokes, told stories, laughed and enjoyed themselves fully. - -In the midst of it all, Browning stalked into the room, bundled to his -ears in blankets. - -"Say," he called, "is there any good, hot tea or coffee?" - -"Plenty of it," assured Merriwell. - -"Gimme a cup--quick!" - -Bruce found a seat at the table, and Frank ordered a cup of tea to be -brought. Then, while Rattleton and Mulloy were condoling with Browning -over his misfortune, Merriwell gave the waiter a tip to bring a cup of -cracked ice with the tea, but to place it beside Frank's plate. - -The waiter obeyed the order, and soon the tea, boiling hot, was before -Browning. Bruce was so eager to swallow something hot that he caught it -up and gulped down nearly half of it. Then he uttered a roar of dismay. - -"Confound it!" he cried, as soon as he could speak. "That tea has taken -the skin off all the way down! I'm parboiled inside! Oh, great Caesar!" - -"You wanted it hot," said Rattleton. "The waiter brought it hot, so you -could cool it to suit yourself." - -"That ought to break up your chill," laughed Frank. - -Browning groaned. - -"I wish I'd never seen Arkansas!" he declared. "We'd been all right if -Merriwell hadn't tried to carry out his scheme of riding through the -eastern part of the State. I caught the ague in those howling swamps, -and goodness knows when I'll get rid of it!" - -"Vot you vants to done," said Hans, "is to froze dot ague oudt. Uf you -sot yourselluf down mit an ice-houses in und stayed there elefen or nine -hours, you shook all der ague away britty queek. Yaw!" - -"Oh, yes!" grunted the afflicted lad. "That is a fine scheme! All you -need is a pill box and a few brains to become a first-class doctor. I -don't think!" - -He tried to cool his tea so that he could drink it. After a time, he was -able to sip it. Then Frank caught Harry's eye, and made a signal that -Rattleton understood. Immediately Harry engaged Browning's attention. -Bruce sat the cup of tea down a moment, and Frank quickly exchanged it -for the cup of cracked ice. - -After a bit, the big fellow took the cup by the handle, and, feeling -sure the tea must be cool enough for him to drink with impunity, lifted -it and took a mouthful of the fine cracked ice. - -If possible, that gave Bruce a greater shock than he had received from -the scalding tea. Some of the ice slipped down his throat, and with a -shout of rage, the big fellow sprang up from the table and rushed from -the room, his blankets flopping about his heels. - -And all those jolly, heartless jokers at the table shouted with laughter -once more. - - - - -CHAPTER XV--A BOXING MATCH - - -That afternoon, the Yale lads were invited down to the combined -clubhouse and boathouse of the Blue Cove boys. They went along in a -body, Browning having recovered sufficiently to make one of the party. - -The boathouse was built over the edge of the water, and a wing of it -served as a clubroom. The regular eight-oar racing boat lay high and dry -on her brackets, and the visitors inspected her with interest. - -"What do you think of her, Merriwell?" asked Kent Spencer, rather -anxiously. - -"She's all right," nodded Frank. "It is plain she is a new boat, and -made from an up-to-date model." - -"We bought her last season. She is the first really good boat we ever -owned, and that is how we happened to win the championship from -Alexandria. She cost us a pretty sum, but we more than made it up on the -race." - -The final words were murmured into Frank's ear, and Merriwell understood -that, although betting on the races was forbidden, the Blue Cove lads -had found a way to win some of the money Alexandria was so willing to -stake on her crew. - -"Our old boat was too wide in the waist," Spencer explained. "She could -not slip through the water as easily as this one. I presume this may be -improved upon, but I can't see how." - -"Nor can I," confessed Frank. "If you do not win the race this season, -it is certain the boat will not be the cause of your defeat." - -Besides the large boat, there was a four-oared shell, also new and -handsome. This attracted no little attention and admiration from the -Yale lads. - -When the boats had been inspected, the visitors were invited into the -clubroom, which they found comfortably furnished, with large windows, -which could be opened to let the cool air sweep through the place. -Everything about the place was clean and in perfect order. - -"It is an ideal summer clubhouse," declared Frank, as he looked about -admiringly. - -There were two large tables, upon which were papers and sporting -magazines. About the tables were strong but cheap hardwood or rattan -chairs. All around the room ran a stationary settee against the wall. On -the walls were pictures, nearly all of a sporting character. There was a -picture of a yacht race, besides imaginative pictures of a football -match and a game of baseball. A prominent picture was that of a great -single-scull rower. There were also pictures of bicycle races. - -One thing Frank noticed with intense satisfaction. There were no -pictures of professional sports and prize fighters. - -"Now, fellows," cried Jack Diamond, "what do you think of Virginia and -Virginia boys?" - -And from the Yale crowd came a shout of: - -"They're all right!" - -The Blue Cove boys did what they could to make the visitors comfortable, -and a general jolly afternoon was spent. For amusement, Hans and Ephraim -were induced to don the gloves and have a bout. - -"Vot you pet you don'd knocked me oudt der virst roundt in, Efy?" -grinned the jolly Dutch lad. "You oxpect I peen a holy derror der cloves -mit, eh?" - -"Gol darned ef I know anything abaout ye!" answered the Vermonter, as he -stuffed his long fingers down into the gloves. "All I want is plenty of -room, an' there ain't enough in here, b'gosh!" - -"Yaw, you gif me blenty uf rooms," urged Hans. "Vy you don'd come der -odder part uf der puilding indo, hey?" - -"That'll suit me. Come on." - -So out they went into the room where the boats were kept. - -"You want to look out for the slip," said Spencer. "You might fall into -the water, and----" - -He did not say more, for he saw Frank violently shaking his head, and -tumbled to the fact that Merriwell did not want the boxers warned -against the opening by which a boat could be rowed into that very room. - -Ephraim seemed to feel lively and belligerent as soon as he pulled on -the gloves, for he pranced around Hans, making furious feints and -chuckling: - -"Oh, jeewhiskers! ain't this goin' to be a reg'lar darn picnic! We'll -have heaps of fun thumpin' an' punchin' each other, Dutchy." - -"Yaw," grinned Hans, but with a sudden expression of dubiousness, "it -peen goin' to be so much fun as nefer vas. Vot you pet on der game? Vot -you pet you don'd lick me? I know I can let you done dot, und I pet von -tollars on him. Uf you got der nerfe, you pet me dot." - -"Don't talk about betting, but come an' see me!" cried Ephraim, still -prancing about and flourishing his arms. - -"Oh, you peen in a pig hurry, don'd id," cried Hans. "Vale, look avay -oudt!" - -Then he made a rush at Ephraim, who simply straightened out one of his -long arms, permitting the Dutch boy to run against his glove. - -With a terrific thump, Hans sat down on the floor. - -"Yow!" he cried. "Oxcuse me for dot! I didn't know you vas lookin'! Uf -you hurted mein nose, I didn't meant to done id." - -The witnesses laughed, and Hans got upon his feet. - -"Come on!" invited Ephraim. "Come right at me!" - -"I peen goin' to done dot britty queek, you pets my poots!" declared -Hans, as he bounced around the Yankee boy, keeping at a safe distance. -"Der nexd dime you hit me, id vill pe mit you faces mein fist on. Yaw!" - -"Brace up to him, ye Dutch chaze!" urged Barney, who began to itch all -over at the sight of anything resembling a "scrap." "Don't let th' -long-legged farmer be afther froightenin' yez." - -"Who vos frightened?" demanded Hans. "He don'd peen afraidt uf me. I vas -goin' to shown him a trick vot I nefer seen. Here id vas, py shimminy!" - -Then he made another rush at Ephraim, who thrust out his fist once more, -expecting the Dutch lad to run against it. But Hans had not forgotten -what happened the first time, and he dodged under Ephraim's glove, and -gave the Yankee lad a terrific thump just below the belt. - -With a howl, Ephraim doubled up like a jackknife, holding both hands to -his abdomen and turning purple in the face. - -"Yah!" shouted Hans, triumphantly. "Vot you toldt me a minute ago, ain'd -id? I know I peen goin' to done dot! Oh, I vas a holy derror somedimes!" - -"Gol--darn--yeou!" gasped Ephraim. "Yeou hit--me--below--the--belt!" - -"Yaw," nodded Hans; "you pet I done dot. I known der blace vot takes uf -you der vindt oudt, und I don'd haf a latter to climb higher up mit." - -Ephraim was mad. As soon as he could straighten up, he sailed into Hans -in earnest, and the spectators shouted with delight at the spectacle. - -To the surprise of all, the fat little Dutchman proved a rather stiff -antagonist for the Vermonter. It made no difference to Hans where he -struck Ephraim, and he managed to duck under the Yankee lad's wicked -blows. - -In their excitement, the boxers did not observe that they were working -toward the open slip, assisted by Frank and his friends, who pressed -upon them from the opposite side. - -Suddenly, as he was being pressed close, Hans dodged under Ephraim's -guard and clutched the country lad about the waist. Gallup wound his -long arms around Hans' neck, and they swayed and strained in each -other's grasp. - -It was uncertain whether they staggered of their own accord or were -given a slight push, but all at once they reeled and went over into the -slip. - -Them was a great splash as they struck the water, and they vanished from -view, still locked in each other's arms. - -In a moment they came up, having broken apart. - -"Hellup!" squawked Hans. - -"Help!" howled Ephraim. - -They splashed about wildly, clutched each other again, and sank once -more, while the boys in the boat-house screamed with laughter. - -"They are frightened enough to hang onto each other and drown right -there," said Frank. "We must help them out." - -So Merriwell and Rattleton each secured a boathook, and as soon as -possible hooked it into the clothes of the boys, who were floundering -about in the water. - -"Pull, Harry!" Frank shouted. - -They were on opposite sides of the slip, and so they succeeded in -dragging Hans and Ephraim apart, for all that the Dutch boy made a -frantic effort to hang fast to the Vermonter. - -Harry had fastened into a convenient part of the Dutch lad's trousers, -while Frank had hooked onto Ephraim's belt. The latter was pulled out -easily, but the fat boy's head and feet hung down, and Rattleton was -forced to call for assistance. Fortunately, Hans' pants were stout in -that particular spot, and did not give way. - -When the boxers were brought out, they sat on opposite sides of the -slip, water running in streams from their clothes, and stared across at -each other in ludicrous disgust and rage. - -"Gol darn ye!" Ephraim gurgled, weakly shaking his fist at Hans. "Yeou -was to blame fer that! Ef I could reach ye, I'd swat ye right plumb on -the smeller, b'gosh!" - -"Yah!" sneered Hans, shaking his fist in turn, "uf I peen so near to you -as you vos to me, I vould gif you somedings dot I vouldn't like, und -don't you remember dot!" - -Then the spectators shouted with merriment once more. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI--THE CLUB MEETING - - -That evening a meeting of the Blue Cove Academy Athletic Club was called -in the clubroom of the boat-house, and every member in the vicinity was -present. - -Frank and Jack were asked to attend the meeting, and they were on hand. - -When the meeting had been formally opened, Kent Spencer arose and -explained that it had been called for two reasons, the first matter for -consideration being the charge of double dealing and treachery which he -should make against their late coach, Rolf Harlow. - -Then the red-haired boy, Fred Dobbs, who was secretary of the club, said -he had a brief communication from Harlow, which would render it quite -unnecessary for them to go through a regular investigation, and call the -two witnesses, Merriwell and Diamond, who were present. - -"This note," Dobbs explained, "was left at the hotel by Harlow when he -suddenly decided to get out of Blue Cove to-day. The clerk forgot it, -and did not hand it to me till a short time ago, which explains how it -happens that I have not spoken of it." - -He then proceeded to read it aloud. It ran as follows: - - "_Mr. Fred Dobbs_, Secretary B. C. A. A. C. - - "_Dear Sir_: As I am about to leave Blue Cove, I write this to - let you know that your entire club, and yourself and Kent - Spencer in particular, are a lot of chumps. You are easy stuff, - and if it hadn't been for Frank Merriwell, with whom I will yet - get square, I would have worked you for a jolly good haul in - cold cash. You must have thought me a fool to waste my time - coaching you for the paltry sum you agreed to pay me. I am out - for dust, and I generally get it. I intended to fix things so - you could not win against Alexandria, and I should have had a - good sum bet against you, being certain of winning. That was my - game, and now that it is spoiled, I don't care who knows it. I - think the Alexandria boys will win anyhow. As for Merriwell's - charge that Mr. Radford was sent here by Alexandria as a spy, - there is nothing in it. The Alexandria fellows knew nothing - about his being here. He is a friend of mine, and, as I had - advised him to bet against Blue Cove, he wished to see you in - practice. That is all. Yours derisively, - - "_Rolf Harlow_." - -This insolent and insulting note brought cries of anger from the -listening lads, and when Dobbs finished reading, the entire club was in -an uproar. On all sides fierce denunciations of Harlow were to be heard. -The things said about Rolf were far from complimentary. - -Spencer, who was president of the club, found some difficulty in calling -the excited and enraged boys to order. A dozen times he hammered on the -table before him with his gavel, sharply commanding them to sit down and -be still. At last they subsided, grumblingly, scowling and muttering to -each other. - -Kent then arose and said: - -"Gentlemen, we should thank Mr. Rolf Harlow for saving us the trouble of -an investigation by frankly acknowledging himself the contemptible and -pusillanimous scoundrel which he is. A fellow who could make such a -confession without shame--indeed, a fellow who could make it boastingly, -as this fellow did, is not worthy an instant's consideration from -gentlemen!" - -"Right! right!" cried the boys. - -"All there is to be considered in connection with this matter, then, is -whether Alexandria was concerned in this dirty game or not." - -"But he says Alexandria was not," quickly said a boy by the name of -Anson Addison. - -"And I would not believe him under any circumstances!" cried Fred Dobbs. - -Then arose another discussion, which ended in the appointment of a -committee to discover, if possible, if the Alexandria Club had resorted -to such a sneaking and ungentlemanly trick. - -The committee listened to what Frank and Jack had to tell of the -conversation they had overheard between Harlow and the spy. They looked -serious, and were of the opinion that a further investigation seemed -certain to prove beyond a doubt that Alexandria, enraged by their defeat -of the previous season, had resorted to unfair means to win back the -title of "champions." - -The next matter that came before the meeting was the consideration of -Frank Merriwell's proposal to enter the race with his Yale Combine. - -As soon as this matter was called up, Anson Addison jumped to his feet -and protested against considering it while two members of the Yale -Combine were present. - -Frank and Jack immediately arose to withdraw. Spencer urged them to -stay, saying he did not see why they should not remain, but they excused -themselves and left the room. - -Then followed a red-hot discussion as to the advisability of letting -Merriwell and his friends row in the race. Addison argued against it, -and he made many strong points. He claimed that the Yale Combine was a -temporary organization, which would not be in existence long, and might -not last another year. If it won the championship, there was no -certainty that Blue Cove would get another opportunity to row against -the combine. Alexandria might object to rowing a three-cornered race; in -fact, it was almost certain Alexandria would object. There was no proof -that Alexandria had not dealt fairly with Blue Cove, and if the Yale -Combine won the race, and failed to row next season, Alexandria could -claim Blue Cove had lost the championship, which would give them an -opportunity to row against some other organization and bar Blue Cove. - -Fred Dobbs, hot-headed as usual, made a spirited reply to this, but was -checked by Spencer, who used better judgment, talking quietly and -calmly, and showing that the things Addison pretended to fear were not -likely to happen. He also showed that in case the charge of double -dealing was proven against Alexandria, Blue Cove might bar them, and -give them no chance to make any claim to the championship, or a right to -win it back. In case this charge was proven, and Alexandria was barred, -where was there another crew to row against Blue Cove on the date set -for the event? The Yale Combine was the only one, as a race with another -organization could not be arranged in such a short time. - -Addison was neither silenced nor convinced, but the question was put to -the test, and but two votes were cast against admitting the Yale Combine -to the race. - -Then the meeting adjourned, and several of the Blue Cove boys hastened -to notify Merriwell and his friends of their decision. - -Frank's party was delighted, for here was fresh sport for them, and of a -sort they had not encountered on their tour. - -"I shall take a train for Washington to-morrow," said Merriwell, "and -see what I can do about securing an eight-oar shell." - -"An' it's oursilves will be afther gettin' inther thrainin' immediately -afther ye return wid it, me b'y!" cried Barney. - -Frank remembered the Irish lad had been handy with an oar in the old -days at Fardale, while Ephraim, at one time a genuine lubber, had been -to sea and could pull like a sailor. Hans was the one Frank feared would -cause trouble, but he said nothing of his fears. It would take some time -and hard work to hammer his crew into any sort of shape, but he was out -for sport, and to him work of such a nature seemed sport. - -On the following morning Frank left Blue Cove for the nearest railway -station, where he boarded a train bound for Washington. He was gone more -than twenty-four hours, but when he returned he announced that a boat -would follow him shortly. - -That very afternoon a handsome eight-oar shell was brought to Blue Cove, -and the boys received it with cheers of delight and admiration, the Blue -Cove lads cheering as loudly as the others. - -"Look at them!" exclaimed Diamond, his eyes shining. "True sons of Old -Virginia, every one of them! Hearts as big as buckets and souls as large -as their entire bodies! Virginia, Virginia! mother of presidents and -fairest spot of all our glorious country! Who would not be proud to call -you home!" - -The Blue Cove boys permitted the Yale Combine to put their shell in the -boathouse, and for more than an hour the place was filled with boys who -were making comparisons between the two boats. The final decision of -nearly all was that, although the new boat showed it was new, there was -no perceptible difference between them. - -Being doubtful about Hans, Frank decided to take his trial trip under -cover of darkness, and the time was set for that evening. - -It was nearly nine o'clock when, with his crew in their allotted -positions and himself as stroke, Merriwell gave the word, and the light -shell slipped out from beneath the shadow of the boathouse and glided -away upon the calm waters of Blue Cove. - -To Frank's surprise, Hans could row far better than he had expected, and -the trial was fairly satisfactory, although it was apparent that the -boys would need no small amount of coaching to get them into a uniform -and even stroke. - -How this coaching was to be done puzzled Merriwell not a little, for he -knew he must be out of the boat and in position to watch every man in -order to give them points. - -"I'll have to borrow a stroke of the Blue Cove chaps," he thought. -"Spencer's work is all right, but it would overwork him to take my place -occasionally." - -When they returned to the boathouse, they found Spencer and Dobbs -awaiting them. - -"Well," called Kent, "how does it pan out?" - -"The boat is all right," said Frank, "but my crew is rather rocky, and I -am puzzled to know how I am going to coach it. I can't do it in the -boat, but I don't know where I'll find a substitute to take my place -occasionally. That's what's wanted." - -"Noel Spudd is the very man!" exclaimed Dobbs. - -"Sure!" nodded Spencer. - -"Who is Noel Spudd?" asked Frank. - -"Fellow who was going to be on our crew, but his father would not let -him stay and train," explained Kent. "He came to the Cove this morning, -and will stay after the race." - -"Can he row?" - -"Can he? He's a daisy!" - -"Then he'll do--if I can get him. See if you can fix it for me, Mr. -Spencer." - -Kent promised to do so, if possible, and then the new boat was lifted -out of the water for the night. - -The following morning Spencer brought Noel Spudd to see Frank. Spudd -proved to be a pleasant-looking, freckle-faced chap, good-natured and -obliging, and he agreed to help Merriwell out, if possible, although he -was anxious that his father should not find it out. - -"You see, the governor is a crank," he explained. "He has a theory that -violent exercise is injurious to anybody, and he talks about enlargement -of the heart and other evils that follow racing. I had to promise that I -would not take part in the race before he'd let me come to the Cove to -see it. I'll keep my promise, but that will not prevent me from helping -the thing along by aiding in the practice." - -So it was arranged, and Frank lost little time in getting the boys -together and putting them to work. - -Browning grumbled, as usual, and Rattleton declared he was praying for a -chill, that he might get out of taking part in the work of training. - -Spudd took Frank's place in the boat, and Merry watched his crew row -down the river, after which he mounted his wheel and followed. - -For an hour Frank stood in a favorable position, watching the work of -the boys in the boat and giving directions. He told each one of his -faults, and how to correct them, and by the end of the hour he was well -pleased with the progress made. - -Of course, Merriwell did not expect to have a perfectly trained crew, -capable of rowing against first-class college crews, but he believed his -boys could be whipped into such shape that they would stand a fair -chance of winning over Blue Cove and Alexandria. - -A great surprise to him was the remarkable manner in which Hans -Dunnerwust showed up at an oar. On the land, the Dutch boy was a perfect -clown, but his whole manner and appearance changed the moment he got -into a boat. He could row nearly as well as the best of them. - -Frank felt generous in the matter of the race, for certainly Blue Cove -had been most generous in its dealings with the strangers. He offered to -take Harlow's place as coach till another coach could be secured. - -Spencer appreciated this, and the offer was accepted, so that afternoon -found Merriwell on the river's bank once more, shouting his commands to -the Blue Cove crew. - -That night Kent Spencer publicly declared that it was his conviction -that the crew had improved more in one hour under Merriwell than during -the entire time Harlow had coached it. - -Anson Addison was the only one who was not enthusiastic. He remained -silent and sulky, saying nothing, but thinking a great deal. - -Addison was not well liked at Blue Cove, but he was something of an -all-around athlete, and without doubt as good a man with an oar as could -be found among the academy students. He was considered of great value to -the academy crew. - -Since his defeat in the attempt to bar the Yale Combine from the race, -Addison had sulked and held himself aloof, refusing to speak to Frank -and his friends, whom he pronounced "a lot of plebes, not fit associates -for any gentleman." - -Addison's friends had seen him sulky before, and Spencer advised them to -let him alone, saying he would get over it after a while if he was not -troubled. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII--THE EIGHT-OAR SHELL - - -After their work on the river, the boys enjoyed themselves lolling about -in hammocks, playing tennis and strolling and talking with the pretty -girls they found at the Cove. - -The girls seemed to take readily to the newcomers, which added to -Addison's hostility, as a young lady on whom he had bestowed a great -deal of attention was quickly appropriated by Bart Hodge. - -It was a remarkable thing that, although Bart was a serious fellow, with -a rather moody face, he was a great favorite with the girls. There was -some sort of magnetism about him that attracted them. - -Rattleton, on the other hand, although he could crack jokes and keep a -party shouting with laughter, did not seem to have much success with the -opposite sex. They all pronounced him a splendid fellow, but it was -seldom one cared to take a stroll with him or swing with him in a -hammock on the hotel veranda of a moonlight evening. - -Frank and Jack often were seen taking the path that led over to the -little hollow in which stood the home of Capt. Barnaby. - -Elsie Bellwood was there, and no other girl could make an impression on -Merriwell, although not a few of them tried. - -Frank had introduced Diamond to Kate Spencer, and Jack was smitten with -her immediately. It proved to be a case of mutual admiration, for Elsie -told Frank that Kate had "raved" over Jack the night after her first -meeting with him. - -"Frank," said Jack, as they were returning to the hotel the evening of -his first meeting with Kate, "I believe Blue Cove is the place for me. I -could stay here the rest of my life." - -Merriwell chuckled softly. - -"How long have you felt that way?" he asked. - -"Oh, I don't know. But this, Merriwell, is Old Virginia, and I am on my -native soil. I feel like myself once more." - -"I am glad of that," declared Merriwell, "for you were like anything but -yourself by the time we reached California. I never saw anything make -such a change in a fellow as that trip across the continent did in you. -You began to grumble a little by the time we had passed through Jersey, -and you grew worse and worse till San Francisco was reached. By that -time there was no getting along with you in peace. But when we turned -toward the East again, you grumbled less and less till Virginia was -reached. When you knew you were in Virginia once more, you were so -supremely happy that it was utterly impossible to ruffle your temper. -Even Ward Hammond and his gang did not seem to stir you up as you would -have been ordinarily. And now--now---- What do you think of Kate -Spencer, old fellow?" - -"She's a darling!" - -Frank had sprung the question so suddenly that the answer came from Jack -before the latter realized what he was saying. When Frank shouted with -laughter, Jack felt the hot blood rush to his face, but he doggedly -said: - -"She is that! Laugh if you want to! I don't care!" - -"It's plain it's not so much Blue Cove as what you have found at Blue -Cove that is attracting you and making you feel as if you could stay -here the rest of your life." - -"I don't know but you are right," confessed Jack, honestly. - -"Well, I don't blame you," declared Frank. "Kate is a fine girl--not -quite like Elsie, but a fine girl, all the same." - -While Frank and his friends were enjoying themselves and getting ready -for the race, Blue Cove was keeping up a hot correspondence with -Alexandria, the club of the latter place having protested against -admitting the Yale Combine to the race. - -Blue Cove insisted, and the mail bore letters each way. At last Dobbs, -who as secretary was carrying on the correspondence with Alexandria, -plainly hinted that the eight of the latter club could row in a -three-cornered race or not at all. - -That brought a proposal from Alexandria that the Yale Combine be -admitted with the understanding that it was to row for honors only. If -it won over both Blue Cove and Alexandria, it was not to claim the -championship of the Potomac. In that case, the championship remained -with Blue Cove. But if Alexandria led at the finish, the championship -was to go to the latter place. - -This was more liberal than the boys of Blue Cove had expected, and they -readily accepted the terms, so that an agreement was made without delay. - -From this proposal from Alexandria, however, it was plain she expected -to win over both her rivals. Otherwise she would not have been so -liberal. - -"She'll have to hustle if she does that trick," said Frank, when he had -heard of the final settlement of terms, to which he had acceded readily -enough, as he and his friends were out for the sport of the race, and -did not wish to carry away the title of champions. - -"Marruk me worrud," said Barney Mulloy, "it's some sort av a thrick -Alixandry is up to, ur it's nivver a bit she'd make such a proposal. -Look out fer her!" - -One thing in connection with the regular training for the race proved -somewhat unpleasant for all the boys. They possessed hearty appetites, -and Merriwell laid down a course of diet to which he insisted that they -should adhere. For Browning and Dunnerwust, this was particularly hard, -as each possessed an enormous appetite, and was in the habit of -satisfying it to the fullest extent whenever possible. - -"When I have a chill, I can't eat, and when I don't have a chill, Merry -won't let me eat," grumbled the big fellow. "Sport! Is that what you -call it? Well, when I get back to Old Yale I'll forever forswear taking -part in anything that resembles sport." - -"Yaw," grunted Hans, in deep disgust, "dese may pe fun vor me, put don't -you pelief me! Mein stomach veels shust like a raw tog could ead me. You -don'd peen vell ven mein stomach veels dot vay, eh, Prowning?" - -"Say, yeou fellers make me tired, b'gosh!" burst forth Ephraim. "I -ruther guess I've got jest as big appertite as any other critter livin', -but I don't growl an' kick all ther time. It ain't goin' ter be -forever." - -"You don'd know apout dot," squawked Hans, growing excited. "Ven you -peen done dese race mit, maypie Vrankie got someding else indo you. -Firginia peen a long tistance py Yale Goallege. I veel shust like takin' -a drain und valkin' all der vay to New York." - -"Yeou make yerselves miserbul by thinkin' an' talkin' about it so much. -Why don't ye try ter fergit it?" - -"I don'd peen unaple to done dot. Dot eadin' dinks apout me all der -dime. Id peen awful ven you felt your packpone efry dime you put your -handt mein stomach on." - -The Dutch boy finished with a lugubrious groan, which was faintly echoed -by Bruce, while Ephraim went away laughing. - -Each day Dunnerwust seemed to grow more wild-eyed and desperate. Frank -had given strict orders at the hotel, so it was impossible for any of -his crew to get food between meals, and only certain kinds of food could -be found on the table at regular meals. - -Hans became so ravenous that he was seen to stand glaring at a cow for -an hour at a time, his mouth watering as he tried to estimate how many -steaks could be obtained from her; and he often went across the Cove to -the house of a settler who kept pigs. When asked why he stood staring at -the pigs so much, he answered: - -"I peen tried to vigger oudt how much bork und peans dose bigs vould -made uf dey peen gooked dot vay. I veel shust like one uf dose bigs -could ead der whole uf me. Id vos dreatful ven you haf dot gone veeling -py der mittle my stomach uf. Dunder und blitzens! uf I don'd got -nottings to ead britty soon, you vill starf to death!" - -The owner of the pigs became suspicious of the Dutch lad, and fearing -Hans would try to steal one of the animals, he drove him away. - -Three days before the time set for the great race, there was a "hop" at -the little hotel. The dining-room floor had been cleared and polished, -and an orchestra of musicians formed from the musical lads of Blue Cove -Academy. - -It was a happy night for Blue Cove. All the young folks stopping in the -vicinity assembled at the hotel, and when the music struck up, the floor -quickly swarmed with smiling lads and pretty lassies. - -Elsie Bellwood was there, and of course Frank claimed her for the first -waltz. As they glided over the floor to the soothing strains of music, -Elsie felt that were she to live thousands of years, never could she be -happier than she was at that moment. Frank's strong arm was about her, -her hand was in his, and she gave herself up to his guiding will on the -floor, as she had sometimes dreamed of giving herself up to be guided by -him through life. - -Never had Elsie waltzed so well before, and never had Frank waltzed -better, so it was not strange that they attracted attention and were -universally admired. - -Next to Frank and Elsie, the most graceful dancers on the floor were -Bart Hodge and his partner, the pretty girl whom Anson Addison so much -admired. - -Addison had claimed the first waltz with her, and great was his rage -when Hodge appeared and reminded her that she had promised him that -dance. As they whirled away, leaving Addison standing alone, the latter -ground his teeth and vowed vengeance. - -When the dance was over, Addison found an opportunity to speak to Hodge. - -"Come out," he said; "come out alone and fight me--if you dare!" - -"I'll do it--with pleasure," nodded Hodge, promptly. "Lead the way." - -Then he followed at Addison's heels. - -Kent Spencer had heard Addison muttering threats, and he was watching -the fellow. When he saw him speak to Bart, the manner of the two lads -was enough to betray what was coming, so Spencer hastened to find -Diamond. - -"Come on!" he excitedly whispered. "There's a scrap in the air!" - -That was enough for Jack. If a fight was going to take place, he wanted -to see it; if it was possible, he would wish to take a hand in it. - -"Go ahead," he said; "I'm after you." - -When they reached the outer air, they saw two figures moving away in the -direction of the academy ground, one following the other. - -"They are going to fight over on the ball ground," said Spencer. "Come -ahead, and we'll get there another way." - -Jack followed, and they made a half circle, coming around to the ground -on the side opposite the hotel. - -By the time they arrived there, Hodge and Addison were hard at it, -having stripped off their coats and vests. They were striking, -grappling, struggling, falling, getting up, breaking away and going at -it again. Spencer and Diamond heard the sound of their blows and panting -breaths before the fighting lads were seen. - -"Let's keep away," said Diamond. "I'll risk Hodge. I haven't known him -long, but he strikes me as a terror." - -The fight lasted some time, and it was fast and furious. At last, it was -seen that Hodge was getting the best of it. He would not take a mean -advantage of his enemy, but he pressed Addison, who began to weaken. -Bart got in some heavy blows, occasionally knocking Addison off his -feet. - -"Will you give up?" he demanded. "I don't want to use you too rough. -Give up, old fellow--give up!" - -Addison made a last spurt of rage, but he was knocked down, and Hodge -stood over him, ready to thump him again if he tried to rise. - -"Will you give up now?" Bart demanded. - -"Yes," came the reluctant reply. "Don't strike me again! You are too -much for me." - -"That settles it. Get up and we'll shake hands." - -But Addison refused to shake hands after he got upon his feet. - -"You have won the fight," he confessed, wiping the blood from his face -with a handkerchief, "but I hate you just as much as I did before. I -won't shake hands with anybody I hate." - -"I don't blame you a bit," said Bart, at once. "I wouldn't do it if I -were in your place; but I don't hold any hard feelings, though, to tell -the truth, I might if you had licked me. I'm going to my room, and see -if I can get myself in shape to dance again. So long." - -Then, tossing on his coat and vest, he sauntered away toward the hotel, -leaving the defeated Blue Cove lad on the ball ground. - -Addison put on his coat, muttering to himself: - -"Oh, I hate all of that Yale crowd! I can't wait any longer! I don't -believe they'll have time to get another boat before the race. I'll do -the job now!" - -As he started away, Diamond whispered to Spencer: - -"That fellow is up to something crooked. Let's watch him." - -"All right," nodded Kent. - -They followed Addison, and saw him go down back of the boathouse, where -he stripped off all his clothing and prepared to go into the water. - -"I think I know what he is up to," declared Kent. "Come with me." - -Taking care not to be seen by Addison, the two boys made their way to -the door of the boathouse, where Spencer produced a key and hastily -admitted them, closing the door cautiously when they were inside. - -"Here," whispered the Blue Cove stroke, "we'll hide in this corner. If I -am right, Addison is coming in here for something." - -They crouched in a corner and waited. Before long there was a splash of -water in the slip and a blowing sound, as if a diver had just come to -the surface. - -With his lips close to Diamond's ear, Spencer gently whispered: - -"Just as I thought! He dived from the outside and came under the door, -which is closed." - -Then the intruder was heard pulling himself out of the water, and the -eyes of the crouching lads, having become accustomed to the darkness of -the place, saw a form moving about. - -Addison went into the clubroom, soon returning. Then he struck a match -and lighted a lamp. - -"There are no windows in this part," he muttered. "The light won't be -seen." - -The light shone on his wet and dripping body. The watching boys, hushing -their breathing, for fear they would be detected, watched his every -movement. - -"There's the boat," Addison grated, glaring at the handsome new shell of -the visitors. "I'll soon spoil its beauty!" - -Then he went to the wall and took down from some brackets an ax, with -which he approached the boat. There was a glare in his eyes, and his -pale face was contorted with rage. - -"Now! he cried, I'll do the job!" - -He raised the ax. - -"Stop!" - -Out leaped Spencer and Diamond, and the ax was torn from Addison's hand -before he could carry out his dastardly design. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII--THE RACE - - -The race was on at last. At the crack of the pistol, the three boats had -jumped away, Alexandria taking a lead of half a length by a quick start. -The course was straightaway down the river, but against the tide. - -A large crowd had assembled near the start and the finish to watch the -race. Those at the starting point cheered wildly as the boats shot away. - -Alexandria rowed with short, snappy strokes that made the boat jump, -jump, jump all the time. The strokes of the Blue Cove crew and the Yale -Combine were much alike. - -Toots was coxswain in the Yale boat, and proud indeed he was of the -position. His black face shone with delight. - -On the river was a small steam launch that was loaded with admirers of -the Alexandria crew. They waved hand and hats and shouted like a lot of -wild Indians when they saw the Alexandria boat increase its lead so that -clear water could be seen between it and the other boats. - -With a regular, long swinging stroke, the other boats kept side by side -for a time. Then Frank's crew began to gain slightly on the Blue Cove -lads. - -Steadily Merriwell drove them on. He did not attempt a stiff spurt so -soon, but forced them gradually, drawing away from Blue Cove. Soon the -Yale boat was close behind that of Alexandria. The latter spurted, and -then it was that Frank held close, like a leech, determined not to -permit the crew from up the river any further advantage. - -The stroke of the Yale crew was strong and steady, sending the boat -through the water at high speed. Before a mile had been made the short -stroke of the Alexandria men was beginning to tell on them. - -And Blue Cove was clinging in a remarkable manner, for all of the fact -that it had lost one of its best men at the last moment. Anson Addison, -caught in the dastardly attempt to ruin Merriwell's boat, had been -dropped from the crew and expelled from the club. - -In vain Spencer had urged Noel Spudd to take Addison's place in the -boat. Spudd longed to do so, but did not dare disobey his father to such -an extent. - -So another and far less valuable man was substituted, and Blue Cove felt -that it had very little show of winning the race. - -"You must save us, Merriwell," said Kent Spencer, a few moments before -the start was made. - -"I am sure we'll do our best," nodded Frank. - -The shouts of the Alexandria crowd on the launch became less and less -confident as the Yale boat was seen to creep up on the leader. At last -it lapped Alexandria. Then, despite the most desperate efforts of the -crew from up the river, the Yale boat crept alongside and gradually took -the lead. - -On an elevated bank near the finishing point a crowd was seen. The ones -assembled there were all aflutter with excitement. - -Blue Cove was doing good work. Up beside Alexandria the boat was -stealing, and it was plain that a most exciting finish would be made. - -The cheering on the launch had ceased. It was keeping near the Yale -boat, and, in the midst of his work, Frank heard a familiar voice -declaring: - -"They can't win to-day--not much! The race is not over yet!" - -Harlow was on the launch. - -But it seemed plain enough to everybody that the Yale boat would cross -the finish more than two lengths ahead of the others, for it was gaining -rapidly now. - -The crowd on shore was cheering, and it was a scene of wild excitement. - -Suddenly something whizzed through the air and struck the water. Then -there was an explosion, and the entire forward end of the Yale boat was -blown to pieces! - -The boat filled immediately, and the crew was in the water, while the -other boats shot past and crossed the line together, it being difficult -to tell which was leading. - - -"One of the greatest races ever rowed on the river," declared Kent -Spencer in the boathouse that evening. "You Yale chaps would have won -easily if it hadn't been for that bomb that ruined your boat. As it was, -that put you out of the race, and we got over the finish a little in -advance of Alexandria. Blue Cove still holds the championship." - -"Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!" shouted the delighted lads. - -"It's lucky there were boats ready to give us a lift," said Jack -Diamond. "Hans was floundering about like a maniac, and----" - -"Who told me so?" cried the Dutch boy. "Dot Bodomac Rifer vater vos der -thinnest sduff dot efer tried to valk on me. Id don'd seem unaple to -subbort me ven I tried to svim oudt der shore to. I sunk der pottom to -shust like you vos von sdick uf vood." - -"Where is Browning?" asked Fred Dobbs. - -"Oh, he's in the hotel, having a chill," laughed Rattleton. "The plunge -in the river brought on the ague again." - -"I don't suppose there is any doubt as to the identity of the fellow who -threw the bomb?" said Noel Spudd, questioningly. - -"Not a bit of it!" exclaimed Bart Hodge. "Miss Bellwood and Miss Spencer -both saw him when he did the trick. He was on the steam launch. Miss -Bellwood was looking at him through field glasses, and she is ready to -swear it was Rolf Harlow." - -"In that case," said Spudd, "I presume Mr. Merriwell will see that the -fellow is punished, if he is arrested?" - -"Bet your life on it!" cried Diamond. "Merry means to put Harlow where -the birds won't peck him. That chap has given Merry trouble enough." - -"Anyway," said Kent Spencer, "we want you fellows to stay at Blue Cove a -while longer. We've had more sport since you struck the Cove than ever -before." - -"Had to glear it--I mean glad to hear it," said Rattleton. "But you -haven't had any more sport than we have. It's been the jolliest time of -the whole trip for me, and as for Merriwell, Diamond and Hodge--well, -there are attractions enough to keep them here the rest of their lives." - -"The only gal I ever was able to ketch was away aout in Forth Wuth, -Texis," put in Ephraim, grinning. "I kainder knocked the spots aout of a -feller that was cuffin' her brother some, an' she stuck to me zif I was -kivered all over with mewsledge. She was a peach, too, b'jee! Some time -I'm goin' back aout there an' ax her will she splice to me. Ef she'll -have me, I'll have her quicker'n a cat kin wink her eye." - -"Vale," said Hans, with unusual sadness, "I don't peen aple to had a -girl catch me. Vot vos der madder, somehow? Don'd I peen peautiful py my -faces?" - -"Oh, yes!" cried Rattleton; "you are a perfect chromo! I don't -understand why all the girls are not trying to catch you." - -"Mebbe you understood dot shust as pad as I did. I sed ub nighds dryin' -to haf dot vigger me out vot id vos, but now I don'd knew so much apoud -id as you did pefore." - -Frank Merriwell came bounding into the room, waving a scrap of yellow -paper over his head. - -"A dispatch!" he cried. "It was just brought me from the nearest -station. Harlow has been arrested in Alexandria!" - -"Hurrah! hurrah!" shouted the boys. - -"Will you appear against him?" asked Harry of Frank. - -"I think I ought to." - -"Certainly," came from several of the Blue Cove boys. - -The matter was talked over for half an hour, and then Frank set off for -the jail in which Harlow had been confined. - -On the day following the rascal was brought out for a hearing. - -He was held for trial and bail was placed at several thousand dollars. - -As he could find nobody to go his bondsman he was compelled to remain in -jail for the time being. - -The boys of the Yale Combine remained with their friends for two days -more. During that time Frank saw Elsie twice, and when the pair parted -it was with a promise to write every week or oftener. - -The combine got a rousing cheer on leaving Blue Cove, the celebration -being fully equal to that participated in at Lake Lily. - -"Virginia is all right," said Frank to Jack. "I don't wonder that you -are proud of your mother State." - -The tour now led northward, toward New York, and two days later found -the boys in the southeastern portion of Pennsylvania. - -Here the roads were found to be fairly good, and they took again to -their bicycles, but taking their time, for Bruce and Hans absolutely -refused to hurry. - -"The boat race nearly killed me," growled the big fellow. "Give me a -chance to recover." - -As for Hans, he wanted to stop and eat five or six times in every -twenty-four hours. - -"Dot draining vos make me empty by mine heels up," he declared. "You -could eat me mine own head off alretty, ain't it?" - -On one occasion Frank felt like spurting ahead and did so. He was -quickly joined by Barney, and the two kept it up until they were well -out of sight of the rest of the crowd. - -"Sure an' this tickles me to death," observed Barney. "Me wheel acts -loike grased lightning, bedad!" - -"I love a spurt myself," replied Frank. "Especially when my wheel is -just in proper trim." - -They had passed over a slight rise and were now on a down grade where -coasting became a double pleasure. There was a wood on either side of -the road, with great trees interlocking their branches high overhead. - -"Listen!" cried Frank, presently. "What is that?" - -"Sure an' somebody is gettin' a drubbin'," replied Barney. "Come on, -we'll see who it is!" - -"Confound the beast!" came the cry from a curve ahead. "I will teach the -beast how to mind!" - -And then followed more blows, mingled with a low cry in a female voice. - -Rounding the curve, Frank and Barney saw a man and a girl who were -mounted on handsome horses. The man was belaboring with his riding whip -the horse he bestrode, while the animal danced about, refusing to go -ahead. - -At every blow of the whip the horse under the girl started in fear, -trembling and snorting. She was obliged to give him much of her -attention, but she sharply called to the man: - -"Don't whip Firefoot that way, Cousin Stephen! He is not used to your -harsh ways, and----" - -"I'll make him used to them!" grated the man, his face flushed with -anger. "He is a miserable brute anyway!" - -"But not half such a brute as the man on his back!" muttered Frank. - -"Roight ye are, me b'y," agreed Barney. "It's a foine lookin' crayther -he's batin' there." - -"And a fine creature it is," declared Frank; "but it will not take long -to spoil it in that way. The fellow doesn't know how to ride, and he has -confused the horse between yanking and whipping it. It's likely the -creature stopped and began to rear and back because it did not know what -its rider wanted." - -The sight of the approaching bicycles seemed to startle the horse more -than ever, and it bolted out of the road with its rider, who was nearly -swept from the saddle by an overhanging limb. - -Again the man fiercely applied the whip. Then he, too, saw the -bicyclists, and cried to them in a snarling voice: - -"What do you mean by riding along here like this? You chaps have no -right in the road, anyway! Can't you see you have frightened this -horse?" - -That brought a touch of warm color to the handsome face of our hero, but -his voice was calm and steady as he retorted: - -"We have as much right on the public highway as you. The trouble with -your horse is that you have abused and frightened it. You are not a fit -person to ride a horse or have any dealings with one." - -That seemed to make the man more frantic than ever. He tried to force -the horse at Frank, but the creature shyed at the wheel, so the rider -did not accomplish his design of riding Merriwell down. - -With a muttered cry of anger, the man struck at Frank with his whip, and -the lash fell upon the boy's shoulder, so that he felt the sting through -his coat. - -Then of a sudden, away leaped the horse, nearly unseating its rider. The -girl followed. - -"Confound him," muttered Merriwell, watching the retreating figure of -the horseman. - -"May th' Ould Nick floy away wid him!" cried Barney. "Did he hurrut yez, -Frankie?" - -"No. If he had, I might be tempted to follow him. Let him go. It is -plain he thinks he is a blue blood and owns the earth. What he really -needs is a sound thrashing." - -"An' ye're th' b'y to give him thot, Frankie!" - -"I want no quarrel with him, though it did make me hot to see him lash -that horse. Look at him now! See him bob in the saddle and saw at the -reins! He will ruin the mouth of that horse, as well as spoil its -temper. It's a shame!" - -"So it is!" nodded Barney. - -The man and girl disappeared from view, and gradually the sound of the -galloping horses died out in the distance. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX--A RESCUE ON THE ROAD - - -Frank and Barney rode along leisurely. - -"The mouth of a horse, until it is spoiled by bad usage, is a very -delicate thing," declared Frank. "As a common thing the mouth of a horse -is ruined before the creature is seven years old. In order to preserve -its natural delicacy, the right sort of a bit must be used and the reins -must be handled gingerly. A heavy hand will ruin a good mouth in a short -time, but not one man in fifty can drive with a light hand. The man who -saws on the reins has no business in the saddle. If I owned that black -horse it would take the price of the animal to induce me to let such a -rider mount him for a ten-mile canter." - -"But whin a crayther runs away, thin phwat're yez goin' to do?" asked -the Irish lad. "Ye've got ter yank him up, me b'y." - -"Not at all, Barney. Yanking and sawing are vile practices." - -"Thin how do yez be afther holdin' the b'aste?" - -"There is a trick in holding a horse with a light hand. Proof of this is -that some of the most famous jockeys, although slight and weak, can -control and hold horses which would run away with strong men, and could -not be sawed or yanked into submission. The best jockeys are never seen -leaning back in the saddle, pulling and sawing to hold their horses." - -"Oi belave it's roight ye are, me b'y," nodded the Irish youth, after a -moment, "although Oi niver thought av it before." - -"Take notice of it on race tracks hereafter. Horses are apt to behave -better with women, if they are skillful, for women commonly have lighter -hands than men. That fellow did not know how to ride, for all that the -horse did not throw him when it jumped sideways or started ahead. It's -ten to one he thinks himself an expert rider, but he is a bungler, for, -besides having a bad hand, he did not sit well in the saddle. When the -horse started suddenly he was forced to support himself somewhat by a -hard pull on the reins, a thing that never should be done. A good rider -has a seat low in the saddle, which he grips with his knees and thighs, -keeps his back straight, keeps his elbows, and hands down, and varies -the force on the reins only for the purpose of controlling his horse, -and not for steadying himself." - -Barney gave Frank a glance of wonder. He saw that Merriwell was warming -to his subject and growing enthusiastic. - -"Oi don't understhand it!" muttered the son of the Emerald Isle. - -Frank gave him a quick glance of surprise. - -"Don't understand what?" he asked. "I thought I was talking plain -enough." - -"Ye wur, me b'y--ye wur! It's how ye know so much about iverything thot -puzzles Barney Mulloy. If there's iver a thing ye're not posted on Oi -dunno pwhat it is. Ye can talk about iverything, an' ye can tell me more -in a minute thin Oi iver knew. How do ye foind it all out, Frankie?" - -Frank laughed. - -"I'll tell you, Barney," he said. "Some years ago I made up my mind that -I couldn't know too much, and I resolved to find out all about -everything that came beneath my notice. Since then I have practiced the -art of observation and investigation. That is the way I have found out -about things. It is one way of obtaining an education. Lots of fellows -are not able to go to college, but they can keep their eyes and ears -open and lay up a store of practical knowledge that will be of the -greatest use to them in all probability. Of course many of the things I -have investigated and found out about may not be of value to me at any -time during my life; but there is no telling what will be of value and -what will not. All my life I have taken an interest in horses, and it is -but natural that I should find out as much as possible concerning them. -If this had not been the case, I could not have astonished the cowboys -by my horsemanship during this trip. They regarded me as the most -remarkable tenderfoot they had ever seen, and it all came from the fact -that I had found and improved an opportunity to ride, shoot and throw -the lasso. I didn't learn those things without some trouble, but trouble -doesn't cut any ice with me when I set out to do a thing." - -"Well, it's not ivery fellow can put hissilf out to learn all about th' -things he says." - -"He can if he will. The trouble is that he sees things without thinking -of learning anything about them. If he begins to cultivate the habit of -investigation it will grow on him, and it will not be long before he -will discover the value of some of the knowledge thus obtained. Try it, -Barney." - -"Begobs, Oi will! Oi niver thought av it before, but it's mesilf thot'll -be after trying it. Did yez notice th' girrul wid thot horse-bater, -Frankie?" - -"Yes. Rather pretty, I thought." - -"It's a p'ache she wur, me b'y!" enthusiastically declared the Irish -lad. "It's not plazed she wur wid th' way th' spalpane wur b'atin' th' -poor b'aste." - -They came out of the wood to the open country, and a beautiful stretch -of country lay before them. - -Of a sudden, Barney gave an exclamation: - -"Look there, Frankie!" he cried, pointing. - -Along the road from a distance, coming toward them at a mad and furious -gallop, was a horse, bearing a girl, who was vainly trying to hold the -frightened animal. - -In pursuit of the runaway was a man who was fiercely lashing another -horse, and Frank recognized this animal even before he did the rider. - -It was the handsome black horse that the stranger had been maltreating -in the wood, and its rider was the same hot-tempered young man. - -The girl on the runaway was his companion. - -Instantly Frank seemed to understand what had happened. - -"The fool!" burst from his lips. "He has kept at his own horse till the -one the girl is riding has been frightened and is running away with her. -She may be thrown and killed!" - -Without loss of time, Frank turned about, so he was heading in the same -direction as the runaway horse, which was coming behind him. - -"Pwhat are yez goin' to do?" cried Barney. - -"I am going to stop that runaway horse if I am built right!" returned -Frank, with grim determination. - -"Look out--look out, there!" - -The man in pursuit of the runaway shouted to the boys. - -Barney was not given time to turn about. He tried to do so, but in his -haste and confusion, ran out of the road into the ditch, and was forced -to dismount. Before he could get into the saddle again the frightened -horse was bearing the girl past. - -The Irish boy caught a glimpse of her face, from which the warm color -had fled. Her lips were pressed firmly together, and there was a look of -fear in her dark eyes; but she was doing her very best to check the -frightened horse, although the animal had the bit in his teeth, and her -gloved hands seemed unable to do but little to restrain him. - -A thought of Frank's theories concerning a "light hand" for driving -flashed through Barney's head, but he instantly realized that this was -an exceptional occasion. Even brute strength might not avail now. - -Then how did Merry expect to check the runaway? - -The Irish youth saw his friend, who was pedaling swiftly along the road, -glance over his shoulder at the approaching runaway. Then Barney held -his breath, wondering what Frank would do, but feeling that he was bound -to make some desperate attempt to stop the horse. - -Frank was pedaling along at high speed when the runaway reached his -side. He swerved toward the horse, crying to the girl: - -"Hold fast, if he swings sideways suddenly! Don't let him pitch you out -of the saddle." - -She nodded that she understood. She realized that this daring young -cyclist was going to try to check the horse. - -Frank was close to the animal's head, and then Barney saw him reach out -swiftly and grasp the bit. A moment later Merriwell was torn from the -saddle and carried along, dangling at the head of the runaway. - -"Hurro!" shouted Barney. "It's just loike th' b'y! It's niver a bit is -he afraid av anything at all, at all!" - -With a death grip, Frank clung to the bit, knowing he might receive -fatal injuries beneath the feet of the horse if his hold was broken. -With his other hand he reached up and obtained a hold. He lifted his -feet so they did not touch the ground, and, within three seconds, the -speed of the runaway slackened. - -Then, still clinging, Frank talked to the horse softly, soothingly, -reassuringly. His words were snatched out sometimes, sometimes broken, -but there was nothing in the sound of his voice to add to the fears of -the frightened animal. Instead, there was something to calm and quiet -the frantic creature. - -"Hold fast!" he again called to the girl. - -Then the horse was turned from the road, was swept about in a complete -circle, and by the time it again faced in the direction it had been -running, it was brought to a stop. - -"Jump down quickly," directed Frank, as he saw the pursuing man come -thundering nearer and nearer. "This horse will act bad when he comes -up." - -The girl obeyed. Down from the saddle she slipped to the ground, losing -no time in getting away from the prancing horse. - -Up came the man, flushed of face and shaking with excitement. He gave a -yank at the bit that fairly flung the black gelding upon its haunches, -and he hoarsely cried: - -"That confounded beast ought to be shot through the head!" - -At the sound of the man's voice the horse Frank was holding showed every -symptom of fear, making a sudden attempt to break away. - -Merriwell spoke soothingly to the creature, holding fast to the bit with -a firm, steady hand, and patting its neck. - -"It's not the horse," was his thought, "it's the man who ought to be -shot!" - -"You are not harmed, are you, Iva?" somewhat anxiously asked the man, -addressing the girl. - -"No," she answered, her voice showing the least trace of agitation; -"thanks to the brave action of this young stranger, I am not." - -At this the horseman scowled fiercely on Frank. - -"Thanks to nothing!" he muttered. "I should have overtaken and stopped -the skittish brute. If it hadn't been for these smart youngsters on -their confounded bicycles, the horses would not have been frightened." - -"I think you are mistaken about that, sir," said Frank, promptly. "When -we came in sight of you both horses were frightened, and you were -abusing your own mount. I think you are entirely responsible for this -runaway, and, if I were this young lady, I should be cautious about -riding out with you again." - -"Insolent puppy," grated the man. "How dare you talk to me like this! -Why, I--I've a mind to----" - -"I wouldn't try it, sir!" came sharply from Merriwell, as the fellow -lifted his whip. "You touched me with that back in the woods, and I do -not care to have you repeat it." - -There was something in Frank's manner that caused the man to lower the -whip, boy in years though it was who faced him so boldly. - -The girl stepped forward quickly. - -"Stop, Cousin Stephen!" she cried. "This brave young man stopped Rex, -and it may be that he saved my life. You should thank him instead of -quarreling with him." - -"Thank him for nothing!" growled the man. "It's a wonder he didn't pitch -you out of the saddle and kill you when he caught the horse by the bit -and yanked its head around." - -Barney came riding up, and both horses pricked up their ears and -regarded the bicycle with signs of mingled doubt and alarm. - -"Get off--get off from that, you fool!" cried the man. "What do you want -to do--scare the blooming beasts into running away again? Don't you know -anything?" - -That was enough to start Barney's temper. - -"Av ye'll shtep down a minute, Oi'll be afther showin' yez a few things -Oi know," he flung back. - -Other horsemen were seen approaching swiftly. There were three in the -party, and they headed straight toward the little group in the road. - -"Why, it is father and Kenneth!" exclaimed the girl, as she observed -them. "And the other is--is Mr. Harden!" - -Something like a curse came from beneath the black mustache of the man -she had called "cousin." He glared at the approaching horsemen, and -Frank heard him mutter: - -"What in Satan's name is Harden doing here? I believe he saw the -runaway! Hang the fellow! he's always around!" - -Up came the horsemen, with a clatter of hoofs. The youngest of the party -was not older than Frank, and he was a fine-looking youth, with dark -eyes and curling hair. Next to him was a young man of twenty-two or -three, with a blond mustache, and the third was a man of fifty, with an -iron-gray beard. - -The youngest of the strangers leaped from the saddle, and was at the -girl's side in a moment, exclaiming: - -"Are you all right, sister mine? You are not harmed?" - -"Not a bit!" she half laughed; "but there is no telling what might have -happened but for the brave young man there who stopped Rex. The horse -had the bit in his teeth, and I could do nothing with him." - -"We saw it--saw it all," declared the youth. "We reached the top of the -hill yonder in time to witness his act, and I must say it was as nervy -and skillful as anything I ever beheld. Sir"--speaking to Frank--"I wish -to thank you for your gallant rescue of my sister." - -He held out his hand, and Frank accepted it. Each felt a thrill as they -crossed palms, and their eyes met, and it seemed that a bond of -friendship was cemented between them. - -"My name is Kenneth St. Ives," explained the strange lad. - -"And mine is Frank Merriwell," said our hero. - -"Mr. Merriwell, I am happy to know you," declared Kenneth. "Permit me to -properly present my sister." - -Smiling, Frank lifted his cap and bowed gracefully, but the girl held -out her hand, her full lips parting to show her fine white teeth, as she -smilingly said: - -"Let me shake hands, also, Mr. Merriwell. Pardon the glove." - -On his horse, "Cousin Stephen" glared and ground his teeth. - - - - -CHAPTER XX--AT SPRINGBROOK FARM - - -Then Kenneth St. Ives introduced his father and Mr. Harry Harden. To -avoid an introduction, Stephen Fenton had turned his horse about, and -was staring sullenly in the opposite direction. - -"Mr. Merriwell," said Preston St. Ives, dismounting to take Frank's -hand, "I owe you much for your daring service to my daughter. I shall -always feel that I am indebted to you." - -Harden dismounted, and talked with Iva, while Fenton glared at them in a -side-long manner, chewing the ends of his black mustache and scowling -fiercely. - -Within a very few moments Preston St. Ives found out that Frank and -Barney were on their way to New York, and that they were closely -followed by a party of friends. - -"New York is a long distance away," smiled the father of the girl Frank -had rescued. "At most, you would not think of proceeding farther than -Philadelphia to-night." - -"We intended to stop there," said Frank. - -"But there is no reason why you should be in a great hurry," said St. -Ives, "and so you must stop at Springbrook Farm to-night." - -"Springbrook Farm?" - -"That is our country place," Kenneth hastily explained. "It is a roomy, -old-fashioned place, and there will be plenty of room for you all. You -can't refuse, Mr. Merriwell!" - -At first Frank attempted to decline the invitation, but Iva added her -invitation to that of her father and brother, and Kenneth promised a -jolly time, so that Merry was really inclined to go. A look at Barney's -face showed he was eager to have Frank accept the invitation. - -"Well, Barney," said Frank, "if we stop at Springbrook Farm to-night, -you'll have to watch out for the fellows and let them know about it." - -"Thot Oi'll do, Frankie," immediately agreed the Irish lad. "But pwhere -is Springbrook Farrum!" - -"The farm may be seen from the top of the hill yonder," said Kenneth. -"Come along with us, and we will point it out to you." - -At this juncture, Stephen Fenton suddenly yanked the head of his horse -about, gave the creature a cut with the whip, and went tearing along the -road in a cloud of dust, having left the others without a word. - -"What is the matter with him?" cried Preston St. Ives, watching the -fellow with a look of displeasure. "It's a wonder that horse doesn't run -away with him and kill him!" - -"Oh, he has been in a cross mood all the afternoon, papa," said Iva. "He -is out of sorts with everything and everybody, and it was because he -accidently struck Rex with his whip that the dear old fellow ran away -with me." - -She caressed the muzzle of the horse as she spoke, and the creature -seemed pleased with such attention. - -"It would serve him right if Firefoot should run away with him!" -exclaimed Kenneth, also watching the retreating form of Fenton. "He is -hard on a horse, and it's a wonder to me that he hasn't been killed -before this. He seems to stick in the saddle some way, although he is -anything but an easy rider." - -"If that horse's mouth is not already spoiled, he will spoil it in a -week," declared Frank. - -Mr. St. Ives gave Merry a quick look, as if wondering what he knew about -horses. - -"I think you are right, young man," he said. "I didn't want to let him -have Firefoot, but he seemed to take a fancy to the creature, and not -another horse out of the stableful would satisfy him. He'll not get the -animal again." - -Then there was a mounting of horses, while Frank went back along the -road to look for his wheel He found the bicycle all right as it lay -beside the road, Barney having stopped to get it out of the highway. - -The Irish lad accompanied Frank, and he was enthusiastic over the -prospect of sport at Springbrook Farm. - -"It's no tellin' pwhat we'll stroike there, me b'y!" he chuckled. "It's -the last chance for a bit av fun before we get inther New York." - -"I didn't intend to stop again for anything, for we spent far too much -time at Blue Cove. Virginia was not easy to break away from." - -"Roight ye are, Frankie. It's a great Shtate Vir-ginny do be. An' the -b'ys down there are all roight." - -"As fine a set of fellows as I have met anywhere in the whole country," -declared Merry, with a touch of enthusiasm. "They are chivalrous, -hospitable and sporty. Jack Diamond is a representative Virginian. He is -all right." - -"Yis, he seems to be since he got back inther this parrut av th' -country, but it's a growler Oi thought he wur at firrust." - -"He did not seem like himself while we were in the West," confessed -Frank. "I was surprised at the change in him, but I knew it was not -natural, and I bore with him." - -The others came up, Frank mounted his wheel, and they all rode along -together, chatting pleasantly. Frank was questioned, and he told of his -trip across the continent and back, arousing Kenneth St. Ives' interest. - -"Well, you must have had sport!" Kenneth exclaimed. "I should have -enjoyed that. Say, father, we must get up something in the way of sport -while they are at Springbrook. Can't we have a hunt?" - -"It's too early in the season, my son," smiled Mr. St. Ives. - -"I don't know about that," declared Kenneth. "We're liable to have a -frost any morning now. It is chilly at times for this season. Perhaps -to-morrow morning----" - -"The Meadowfair Club visits us to-morrow, you know." - -"I had forgotten that. So much the better! If Mr. Merriwell and his -friends will stay, we'll find some sort of sport to amuse them." - -The top of the hill was reached, and then Springbrook Farm was pointed -out, lying on a hillside two miles distant. It was a beautiful place. -The great stables seemed modern, but the house was an immense colonial -mansion, surrounded by tall trees. The farming land was a broad prospect -of cleared land, upon which were great meadows and small groves. Cattle -and horses were to be seen, and it had the appearance of a stock or -dairy farm. - -"There is the place, Mr. Merriwell!" cried Kenneth St. Ives; "and a more -beautiful spot is not to be found in all Pennsylvania." - -Frank did not wonder at Kenneth's enthusiasm. - -Not far from the old mansion was a small lake, with a boathouse on the -shore, and some boats lying near. - -Frank felt sure that the rest of the party could not be far behind, so -Barney would not be compelled to wait long; but it was necessary that -some one should meet them, as Springbrook Farm lay off from the main -highway, being reached by means of a private drive, and the bicyclists, -unless notified, would not know Frank contemplated stopping there. - -Barney was willing to wait for them, and so the others rode onward, -Frank wheeling along and chatting with them all. - -Stephen Fenton was seen riding up the last incline toward the distant -mansion, still forcing his horse. - -When the place was reached a hostler was at work over Firefoot in one of -the stables, and the animal showed the abuse it had received. - -Mr. St. Ives dismounted and looked Firefoot over, observing: - -"That's fine shape for a horse to be in after a canter along the road. -The creature could not look worse if it had been following the hounds -across country. I think Stephen will have to take another horse the next -time he goes out." - -"Beggin' yer pardon, sir," said the hostler, with gruff respect; "but he -says as how he were not to blame. You knows, sir, as how this beast is -onruly, sir, an' Mr. Fenton says it were skeered by some saucy chaps on -bisuckles that paid no attention to its snortin' an' rearin'. You know -yerself, sir, as how most of the bisuckle riders are sassy villains, -sir." - -This was said regardless of the fact that Frank had trundled his wheel -into the stable, and the hostler could not help knowing a cyclist was -hearing every word he spoke. - -Preston St. Ives did not deign to make any reply to the hostler's words, -but said: - -"See that Firefoot is well rubbed down and cared for, Wade. You need not -let Stephen have him again. Remember." - -"All right, sir--all right," muttered the hostler, glancing at Frank in -a side-long manner. "You knows your business, sir, an' I'm here to take -your orders, sir." - -The hostler had several assistants, and they were on hand to care for -the animals just brought in. - -Kenneth showed Frank where to leave his wheel, and then Merry followed -the youth into the house. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI--TWO ENCOUNTERS - - -"Vale," grunted Hans, as he stretched himself on the ground in the shade -of some shrubbery, "uf dese don't peat der pand, you vos a liar!" - -"Wal, I'm swuzzled ef it ain't pretty gol darn slick," agreed Ephraim, -thrusting his hands into his pockets and looking around admiringly. -"It's queer haow Frank falls inter sech snaps as these. Heer we be -invited to stay right heer at this place an' make aourselves to hum jest -as long as we want to." - -"And I feel as if I could remain here forever," grunted Bruce, from a -comfortable hammock, of which he had taken immediate possession on -seeing it. "There's something soothing and restful about this place that -agrees with my nerves and promises balm and healing for my constitution -that has been shattered by Arkansaw chills. It's simply great!" - -"It is rather jolly," said the voice of Harry from the cool shadows of a -vine-covered arbor. - -"But it's tame it'd be afther a bit, me b'ys," declared Barney Mulloy, -who was leaning against the trunk of a tree. "It's sbort we're lookin' -afther, an' it's ded quoiet here." - -"Mr. Kenneth St. Ives promises us some sport if we care to remain," put -in Bart Hodge, quietly. - -"Phwat sort av sbort do yez think they can scare up here?" asked Barney, -with a trace of contempt in his voice. "It's croquet we moight play, but -thot's altogither too excoiting." - -"Yaw," grunted Hans; "dot growkay likes me, for id don'd peen so much -drouble to blay him. Der balls can knock me apoud shust so easy as nefer -vas." - -"Frank and Jack seem to be enjoying some mild sport," said Harry, as the -click of billiard balls and Merriwell's infectious laugh came from the -open windows of a large summerhouse in the shrubbery close at hand. - -"Those fellows never seem to care about resting," grunted Browning. -"They will wear themselves out long before they are old men, unless they -let up in their wild career." - -All of the boys had reached Springbrook Farm, and Toots was taking care -of their wheels. They had been left to themselves for a time, while -Preston St. Ives and Kenneth went away to see that proper arrangements -were made for the entertainment of their guests. - -It had not taken Frank and Jack long to find the billiard table and get -into a game, pulling off their jackets to it, as if they were in deadly -earnest. - -As the boys lolled there in the shade, they saw Harry Harden and Iva St. -Ives come down a walk and pass near them, chatting and laughing, seeming -well satisfied with each other's society. - -At a distance behind them, taking care not to be seen, Stephen Fenton -stole along, keeping jealous watch of them. - -"Aisy, b'ys," warned Barney, speaking softly. "Take a look at th' -spalpane through th' bresh here. It's a dirruty face he has, or me -name's not Mulloy." - -"That's what he has," nodded Hodge, who took an instant dislike to -Fenton. "Who is he? Is that the fellow who was with Miss St. Ives?" - -"Th' same, bad cess to him! She was afther callin' him 'cousin'." - -"He is following them!" exclaimed Harry, softly. "You don't suppose he -will try any crooked work, do you?" - -"Oi have a fancy Misther Harden can look out for hisself, me lads," said -Barney. "Oi'll back him against Mr. Fenton." - -"Yaw," said Hans. "When Parney says dot, id peen all right. He knows my -pusiness." Then the Dutch boy relapsed into a position of comfort again, -while the jealous spy passed on, watching the couple ahead of him. - -Five minutes later the boys were startled by the sound of excited voices -and a feminine cry of alarm. - -Barney seemed to be waiting for that sound, for he sprang away like a -flash, and Bart Hodge was not far behind him. Through the shrubbery -crashed the two, and, in a moment, reached a spot where they were able -to see what was taking place. - -One young man was rising from the ground, while another stood over him, -with clinched fists, evidently having knocked him down. To the arm of -the latter, begging him not to strike again, clung Iva St. Ives. - -"Oi knew it!" chuckled Barney in delight. "It's Fenton thot interfared, -an' th' other b'y knocked him down." - -In truth, Fenton it was who was getting up from the ground, while it was -plain that he had been struck by Harden. - -"Oh, I'll even this!" snarled the man who had received the blow. - -"Come on!" cried Harden, whose blood was aroused. - -"Stop, Cousin Stephen--stop, Mr. Harden!" cried the girl, in distress. -"You shall not fight!" - -"He insulted me!" flamed Harden. - -"I called you a sneaking cur, as you are!" hissed Fenton, getting upon -his feet. - -"And I knocked you down, as you deserved!" flung back the other young -man. - -"Hurro!" came softly from the lips of the Irish lad. "Thot's th' shtuff! -Sail in, Misther Fenton, an' do up th' spalpane!" - -At this moment the other boys, with the exception of Browning, came -crashing through the hedge, and were by the two young men. - -Fenton looked up, muttered an imprecation and then sibilated at Harden: - -"We will settle this some other time!" - -"At any time you like," was the prompt retort. - -Then Fenton whirled and quickly vanished in the shrubbery. - -"It's all over," said Hodge. "Let's get out of this instanter, for it -must be a trifle embarrassing to Miss St. Ives." - -This little encounter had revealed to the boys that Fenton was jealous -of Harden, who, plainly enough, was paying attentions to Iva. - -"I believe Fenton is a bad man to have for an enemy," said Rattleton, -with unusual seriousness, as the boys once more gathered about the -hammock, which Browning had not left for all of anything that was taking -place beyond the shrubbery. - -"Well," said Hodge, slowly, "it's not likely he is in love with Frank, -for Merry was not willing to be imposed upon by him. Frank may have to -look out for the fellow." - -"What's that you are telling about me?" called the pleasant voice of -Frank himself, as he emerged from beneath the vines over the door of the -summerhouse followed by Diamond. "I'm all the time looking out for -somebody. Here I've been having the battle of my life with Jack, and -only beat him one point. I won the game on a fluke, at that." - -"But he won it, as he always wins everything he goes into," said the -Virginian, with traces of mingled vexation and admiration. - -Toots came panting toward the spot all out of breath. - -"Lordy! Lordy!" he gasped; "I done 'clare teh goodness; I's 'feared to -stay 'roun' dat stable any mo'!" - -"What's the matter?" asked Frank. "You haven't cleaned up all those -wheels as soon as this?" - -"No, sar; but dat hostler in dar am crazy ma-ad, sar." - -"What's the matter with him?" - -"He done suffin' to dat hawse Fiahfoot, an' de hawse don kick him up -again' de side ob de stall. Wondah it didn't kill him, sar! Po-erful -wondah it didn't bre'k some ob his bones! Made him so mad he got a fork -an' was gwan teh stick it right inteh dat hawse. I couldn't stan' teh -see dat, an' I hollered. Den he see I was a-watchin' ob him, an' he was -ma-ad enough teh kill meh, sar. I don' dar' stay an' clean dem -bisuckles, Marser Frank." - -"Those wheels must be cleaned to-night," said Merriwell, decisively. -"Come with me, Toots, and I will settle this thing so the hostler will -not interfere with you." - -He strode away toward the stable, and the colored boy followed at his -heels. Hodge and Rattleton followed more leisurely. - -As Frank entered suddenly he detected the hostler, wrench in hand, doing -something to one of the bicycles. It looked as if the man was making an -attempt to ruin the wheel. - -And it happened that the wheel belonged to Frank! - -Three bounds took Merriwell to the side of the man, whom he grasped by -the collar, crying: - -"What are you doing there?" - -The man straightened up, and turned his bloodshot eyes on the youth. His -face was flushed, and the odor of his breath told he had been drinking -heavily. - -"Leggo!" he snarled; "leggo, or I'll smash ye!" - -"What were you doing to that wheel?" demanded Frank. - -"None o' yer business!" roared the hostler. Then he dropped the wrench, -and made a swinging blow at the boy. - -Frank dodged the blow and thrust out his foot in a manner that sent the -awkward man sprawling. - -"Land ob wartermillions!" squawked Toots, delighted. - -As the hostler scrambled up, his fingers encountered the handle of the -wrench and closed around it. His face was purple with anger, and there -was a furious glare in his bloodshot eyes. The thick lips, purple and -swollen, curled back from his tobacco-stained teeth, and with a snarl -that might have issued from the throat of some wild beast, he flung the -wrench at Frank's head. - -"Look out dar!" - -Toots uttered the cry, but Merriwell was watching the man closely, and -he dodged the missile, which went whizzing past with an unpleasant -sound. - -A man was just stepping in at the door, and the wrench struck him on the -breast, knocking him down as if he had been shot. - -Then Rattleton and Hodge came running up, and bent over the fallen man, -who lay groaning on the ground. - -It was Stephen Fenton! - -The hostler seemed suddenly sobered by his act. - -"Gosh!" he muttered. "It were Steve I hit! Hope I didn't kill him!" - -Frank was keeping watch of Wade, but saw the man was appalled by the -result of his angry act, and so ventured to turn about and hasten to -Fenton's side. - -"Bring some water!" he ordered. "He may be seriously injured!" - -Fenton's face was purple, and he was gasping for breath, but, as -Merriwell stooped to lift his head, he feebly but savagely motioned him -back. - -"Hands off!" gasped the man. "Keep away from me!" - -Toots came running up with some water. - -"Heah, boss!" he cried; "heah's yo' watah!" - -"What do I want of water! Anybody--got some--whiskey?" - -"Here!" cried Wade, quickly stepping forward, and taking a bottle from a -pocket inside his red flannel shirt; "here's a bit." - -It was a pint bottle, nearly a third full. Fenton grasped it with a -shaking hand as he sat up, lifted it to his lips, and did not take it -down till he had swallowed the last drop. - -With a growl, he got upon his feet, flinging the empty bottle aside. He -gave Frank a fierce look, then addressed Wade: - -"What's the matter with you, Bill? Did you want to kill me?" - -"I didn't throw it at ye, Steve--I mean Mr. Fenton. I didn't mean ter -hit ye." - -Fenton rubbed his chest and coughed. - -"Lucky you didn't kill me," he said, huskily. - -Kenneth St. Ives appeared. - -"What's the matter here?" he asked. - -The hostler hastened to explain that he was simply moving the bicycles -out of the way when Frank Merriwell assaulted him. - -"It was my wheel," said Frank, making a hasty examination, "and he has -loosened things up generally around it. If I were to attempt to ride it -now without putting it in shape, the chances are that I would break my -neck the first hill I came to. It is plain enough that this wheel has -been doctored to give me a fall." - -Kenneth examined it, and saw at a glance that Frank was right. Still, -the hostler protested that he had done nothing to the wheel save move it -over slightly, so it would not be in the way. - -"These wheels are not in your way, Wade," said Kenneth, sternly, "and -you may let them alone. You have been drinking, and you know that means -you stand a good chance of losing your position." - -The hostler looked sullen and subdued, but said nothing. His assistants -had appeared, attracted by the sound of the encounter, but they were -holding aloof. - -Kenneth reprimanded Wade severely, and then informed Frank that supper -was ready for the party. - -The boys had been given a chance to wash up, and soon they were seated -about a long table in the cool dining-room of the old mansion, with -Kenneth St. Ives acting as host. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII--HANS USES THE HOSE - - -A jolly party it was. They laughed, and joked, and told stories. They -ate, and drank, and were happy. Browning fairly groaned with -satisfaction, and then tried to disguise the groan by a cough. Hans -gasped as he looked about at the good things with which the table was -loaded, and his eyes bulged. - -"Shimminy Ghristmas!" he gurgled. "I feel like all dot stuff could ead -me up und not half dry. I ain'd seen nottings like dot for so long dot -you don'd rememper id." - -"Wal, gol darned ef this air ain't a slappin' good layout!" observed -Ephraim. "I was beginnin' to wish I was to hum on the farm where I could -git some baked 'taturs, but baked 'taturs won't cut no ice with me arter -I git threw with this fodder." - -"Hearty appetites are in vogue at Springbrook Farm," laughed Kenneth; -"and I want you all to eat till you are perfectly satisfied. Athletes -should eat well at times." - -"Yaw," nodded Hans, "I pelief me; but dot Vrankie Merrivell peen keepin' -der barty in draining so much dot I don'd had nottings to ead vot you -like two veeks a time at. Dot kindt uf pusiness makes you got fat like a -ghost." - -"Speaking about ghosts," said Kenneth, with a sly wink at Merriwell, -"there is a story that our summerhouse is haunted. As you fellows are -going to stop there to-night, I trust you will not be troubled by -spirits." - -Hans' jaw dropped. - -"Vot?" he squawked. "I don'd toldt you dere peen a ghost dot house in?" - -"Sure," nodded Kenneth. "Those who have seen it describe it as a tall, -white figure, and those who have felt it say it has clammy, ice-cold -hands." - -"Woo!" cried Hans, shivering. "I don'd pelief I vant to slept dot -summerhouses in!" - -"Oh, the ghost only appears occasionally, and it is not at all likely it -will visit the summerhouse to-night." - -"Vale, you don'd know apout dot. Uf dot ghost heard I vos here, he peen -sure to come. Uf you gif me a bistol und dot ghost came, mape he peen -aple to shot me." - -"You mean that you will be able to shoot the ghost." - -"Yaw, I meant dot I peen aple to peen shot der ghost py." - -"That wouldn't hurt him any. Spooks don't mind being shot." - -"I don'd toldt you dot? Oxcuse me! I vill slept py der open air. I don'd -care apout sleepin' in dot summerhouses." - -"Oh, say!" exclaimed Ephraim; "gol darn it! can't you see you're bein' -guyed. There ain't no ghost there at all." - -"How you known dot, Efy?" - -"Why, see um larf at ye! Can't you tell by the way they act?" - -But the Dutch boy was not satisfied, and it worried him greatly to think -he might be visited by a ghost that night. He insisted that he would not -sleep in the Summerhouse unless provided with a gun. - -After supper however, Kenneth took Hans aside and explained that a -bullet from a gun or a charge of grapeshot and canister out of a cannon -would not have the least effect on a ghost, but that ghosts could not -stand water. - -"In the room where you are to sleep to-night," said Kenneth, "there is a -hose pipe with a stopcock nozzle. All you need to do is take the nozzle -end of the pipe to bed with you. If the spook appears, point the nozzle -at him, turn the stopcock, and let him have it. He will be knocked out -in the first round." - -"Vos dot der lefel on?" asked Hans, suspiciously. - -"That is strictly on the level," assured Kenneth, - -"Vale, den I done dot. Let dot ghost come, und I vill gif him der -greadest path vot I efer got." - -In the meantime, Frank Merriwell had taken Ephraim aside, and was -saying: - -"Gallup, you must scare the wits out of that Dutchman to-night. You are -the tallest one in the party, and so you must wrap yourself in a sheet -and play ghost on him. St. Ives is going to fix it so we can all hide -behind a curtain in one corner of the room and see the fan. Will you do -the trick?" - -"Course I will," nodded Ephraim. "I'll skeer the Dutchman aout of his -senses, b'gosh! Won't it be heaps of fun!" - -"Sure it will," nodded Frank. "You must strip yourself of all your -clothes, so you will look as gaunt as possible, then wrap the sheet -around you and stalk in on Hans. He'll have a fit." - -"Haw! haw! haw!" laughed the Vermonter. "I know I'll die of larfin' to -see him! Haw! haw! haw!" - -So it was arranged, and Frank hastened to tell the other boys. - -"This is where Ephraim gets taken in," smiled Merry. "Kenneth St. Ives -has arranged for him to turn the hose on the spook, if one appears. If -Hans is not too frightened to do anything, he'll give Ephraim the -surprise of his life. With nothing but a sheet over him, the water from -the hose will go through to Gallup's skin the first squirt, and we'll be -where we can see the fun." - -With no small difficulty Hans was induced to sleep alone in a room of -the summerhouse. At one end of the room was an alcove that served as a -wardrobe. In front of this alcove was a curtain. - -Kenneth arranged it so that the hose attached to the private waterworks -of Springbrook Farm was run in at the window of the Dutch boy's room, -and a full head of pressure kept on. He showed Hans how to turn the -stopcock and let the water fly at the spook. - -Just before the party was ready to retire Frank came upon Gallup and -Dunnerwust, who were talking together and laughing in an odd manner. - -"Here!" exclaimed Merry, "what are you fellows chuckling over?" - -He was afraid the Dutch boy had told Ephraim about the manner in which -he expected to vanquish the ghost. - -"Haw! haw! haw!" laughed Ephraim. "I was jest tellin' him I'd eat the -gol darn ghost if he'd ketch it." - -"Yaw!" chuckled Hans; "und I toldt him I peen retty to pet zwi tollars -der ghost vould ketch it. He don'd know vot I mean py dot, un don'd you -toldt him nottings." - -Frank hastened to get the two boys apart, and remained with Hans till -the latter was ready to go to bed. - -"You don'd pelief dere peen any ghost, did you, Vrankie?" asked the -Dutch lad, sleepily. - -"Of course not," assured Frank. "That's a guy yarn St. Ives gave you. -There's nothing in it." - -"Vale, I peen so sleeby I can'd kept meinseluf avake no longer. -Good-nighd, poys. I vas goin' to ped." - -Then Hans waddled off to his room. - -It was not far from midnight when the boys arose and prepared for the -fun. Kenneth St. Ives was on hand. He had provided some ice for Ephraim. - -"When we all get behind the curtain that hangs before the alcove," said -Kenneth, "you come into the room, Gallup, stalk up to the bed and run -this piece of ice around over the Dutchman's face. If that don't -frighten him out of his wits, I've made a big mistake." - -"It's a yell thot'll wake ivrybody fer a moile he'll be afther givin' -whin he fales th' oice an' sees Ephraim in the whoite shate," chuckled -Barney. - -In pajamas and nightclothes, the boys tiptoed up to the door of Hans' -room, opened it softly, and listened. - -Hans was snoring. - -One by one, the young jokers slipped into the room and concealed -themselves behind the curtain. The moon was up, and a broad strip of -light came in by the window and made the room light enough for them to -watch what was to take place. - -With a sharp knife, which went the rounds, each boy cut a slit in the -curtain so he could peer out. - -When everything was ready for the appearance of the "ghost," they were -startled to hear Hans muttering: - -"I know how to feex you. Vater--goot coldt vater; Oh, uf I don'd gif you -a path, you vos a liar!" - -"He is sleeping in his talk--I mean, talking in his sleep," whispered -Rattleton. "He is thinking of the way he will fix the ghost. Oh, my! -what a joke!" - -Then he clasped a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing aloud to -think what fun they would have. - -"Ven you peen all retty you said so," muttered Hans, apparently -continuing to talk in his sleep. - -"Wal," said the "ghost," speaking aloud, to the astonishment of the boys -behind the curtain, "I ruther guess ev'rything's all ready. Let her -rip!" - -Then the curtain behind which the jokers crouched was suddenly snatched -away. - -At the same instant, Hans sat up in bed, and turned the stopcock of the -hose. - -Swish--spat! - -A powerful stream of chilling water shot through the air directly toward -that alcove. If struck the astounded boys, drenching them in a moment -and knocking some of them over. The others piled upon the fallen ones, -and all shouted with astonishment and disgust. - -Then Hans, grasping the hose, bounced to his feet, standing upright in -the middle of the bed, and poured the stream of cold water down upon -that struggling, squirming mass in the corner. - -"Oh, say, vot a shoke dot vos!" cried the Dutch boy, swaying the nozzle -of the hose to evenly distribute the water over all the boys. "Ain'd you -hafin' fun mit us! I don'd belief you nefer seen der peat uf dese shoke -before all your life in! You don'd vorget der fun vat you had mit us -to-nighd a long dime in." - -"Haw! haw! haw!" roared Ephraim. "Soak it to um, Hans! Ain't they havin' -a regular picnic with us! Ho! ho! ho! This is more fun than hoein' -'taters!" - -"Stop it!" cried Rattleton, gasping for breath. "You blundering Dutchman -turn that hose----Woogh-uh-oogh-uh--oogh!" - -The stream from the hose had struck Harry full and fair in the mouth, -and he was nearly drowned. - -"Oi'll murther thot Dutch chaze!" shouted Mulloy. "Oi won't lave a whole -bone in his body! Oi'll---- Wa-ow! Murther! Boo! Thot's cold! It's dead -Oi am intoirely!" - -"Hello, Parney!" called Hans, mockingly; "how you don'd like dot ghost -pusiness, hey? Don'd id peen vunny!" - -"Thunder and guns!" roared Browning. "This will give me another Arkansaw -chill! Somebody will get hurt when I find out who put up this job on -me!" - -Hodge and Diamond made a desperate attempt to get away, but Hans saw -them, and gave them a straight shot that knocked them down again in the -midst of the struggling, squirming, kicking and shouting lads. - -"Great Caesar!" cried Kenneth St. Ives, as he untangled himself from the -drenched and kicking mass. "The joke is on us!" - -"It looks that way from the road," admitted Frank, who was laughing -heartily as he crowded his body back into a corner to get away from the -water. "That confounded Yankee was too sharp to be taken in, and he put -up this job with Hans. Goodness! hear him laugh!" - -Ephraim was haw-hawing in a manner that told how delighted he was, and -the roly-poly Dutch boy was dancing up and down on the bed, as he -continued to drench the shivering, scrambling, shouting lads in the -alcove. - -"Oh, don'd you think dese pen der most fun I efer had!" gurgled Hans. -"Dese peen der vay to got a shoke a ghost on. Yaw! Vot do I think uf -dese ghost pusiness now, hey?" - -"Haw! haw! haw!" roared Ephraim, holding onto his sides, and doubling up -with laughter. "Gol darned ef this wouldn't make a kaow larf! Give it to -um, Hans!" - -"Oh, yaw, I peen goin' to cool them down. After 'dese don'd you pelief -me ven dey toldt you I vos scared mit a ghost. Hello, Raddleton! Oxcuse -me uf you got der vay in. I didn'd seen you pime-py. You oxbect I vos -havin' a goot time, hey?" - -Harry had been untangling himself from the others, and now he tried to -get up, but the stream of water struck him behind the ear, and keeled -him over once more, plumping his head with great force fairly into -Browning's stomach. - -"Thunder and lightning!" roared the big fellow. "I'd rather be in a -football rush! I'll give ten dollars to anybody who will pull me out of -this and get me out of the room. My eyes are full of water, and I can't -see." - -"You don'd haf to took a shower path der morning in, Prowning," laughed -Hans. - -Then St. Ives and Merriwell got hold of each other, and made a break for -the door, doing it so suddenly that they escaped before the Dutch boy -could turn the hose on them. They remained outside, laughing and calling -to the others, who came stumbling blindly out, one by one, dripping wet -and hopping mad. - -"The joke is on us, boys," laughed Frank, "and we may as well make the -best of it. It's no use to kick." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII--CHOICE OF PONIES - - -Fearing the boys would attempt to retaliate, Hans and Ephraim closed and -barricaded the door, and the Dutch boy shouted that he would "soak" -anybody who tried to force an entrance. - -Thoroughly disgusted with the turn affairs had taken, Merriwell and his -friends sought towels and dry clothing, and decided to let Hans and -Ephraim alone for the rest of the night. - -In the morning every one about Springbrook Farm knew of the "ghost -joke," and the boys were "jollied" unmercifully, Kenneth St. Ives being -forced to endure it with the others. - -The general uproar in the summerhouse had been heard by those in the -mansion, and it had set the hounds to barking in the stable, but the -shouts of laughter coming from the house told that it was some sort of -frolic, so no one sought to investigate. - -Ephraim and Hans came forth in the morning, arm in arm, although they -made a most grotesque couple, the Dutch boy being short, round and fat, -while the Yankee lad was tall, lank and angular. - -The faces of this odd pair were grave and solemn, and their air of -innocence was refreshing to behold. - -"Good-mornin', fellers," nodded Ephraim. "I hope yeou all slept fust -rate late night?" - -"How you peen dese mornin', boys?" inquired Hans, with apparent concern. -"I hope you didn't disturb me der night in. I peen aple to slept shust -like a top all der night ofer mitout vakin' ub ad all." - -"I am glad you slept so well," smiled Frank. "There was some noise about -the house in the night, and I thought it might have aroused you." - -"I nefer heard something ad all," declared Hans. "I pelief me I hat a -tream someding apout a ghost, but dot peen all." - -"Oh, say," grunted Browning, clinching his huge fist and shaking it -close down by his side. "You wait! There are other days coming!" - -"Vell, I hope so," said the Dutch boy, blankly. "I don't vant dese von -to peen der last von." - -After breakfast a jolly party came over from the Meadowfair clubhouse, -five miles away. There were nearly a dozen young ladies, and half as -many gentlemen. It was plain they were in the habit of visiting -Springbrook Farm often, for they were warmly welcomed, and made -themselves quite at home. - -"This is jolly!" cried Kenneth St. Ives, as he introduced Frank to Paul -Stone, the leader of the party. "I knew something in the way of sport -would turn up to-day. Do you play polo, Mr. Merriwell?" - -"Yes," nodded Frank, with unusual eagerness; "I have played the game, -but it has been some time since I have touched a mallet." - -"Mr. Stone is a member of the American Polo Association, as also is -Steve Fenton, my cousin. Harden and I have applied, and we expect to get -in. Father has caused a beautiful green to be laid over yonder. He has -worked upon it till it is as solid as the finest green in the country, -and we are looking to enjoy several meets here before we return to the -city. We have been having a few games, and I think it is royal sport." - -"It is the greatest sport in the world!" exclaimed Paul Stone, -enthusiastically. - -Frank smiled. - -"It can't be that you have played much football or baseball, Mr. Stone," -he said. - -"Baseball hasn't the dash and go of polo," declared Stone; "and too many -accidents happen at football. It is a dangerous game." - -"There is some danger in polo," said Merry. - -"Just enough to make it spicy," declared Stone. "There is not as much -danger of getting broken noses and broken necks as in football." - -Frank's blood was beginning to bound in his veins, for the thought of a -hot, exciting polo game, with its sharp races and its fierce charges, -was quite enough to arouse the sporting instinct within him. He was like -a war horse that sniffs the smoke of battle from afar. - -"Well," he cried, "if there is to be a polo match, I'd like to get into -it." - -"You can," laughed Kenneth. "You shall have Liner, the finest pony in -our bunch. That animal knows as much as a human being. Why, he can -almost play polo alone!" - -A short distance away Stephen Fenton was talking with another of the -Meadowfair party. He was trying to be sociable in his sullen way, but -his ears were open to all that was passing near at hand, and he plainly -heard the conversation concerning polo. - -Kimball, the man Fenton was talking with, also heard something of it, -and he exclaimed: - -"Polo is the very thing! I had thought of a coaching party, but it is -too late for that this morning. You'll play polo, won't you, Fenton?" - -"Yes," nodded Fenton, "I'll play with your side." - -"I think that will be agreeable to Stone," said Kimball; "but I don't -believe Springbrook will want to give you up." - -"Well, I'll not play with those stiffs," muttered the sullen-faced -fellow. "I want a good opportunity to play against them." - -In a short time it was arranged. For Springbrook, St. Ives, Harden, -Merriwell and Diamond were the players; for Meadowfair, Stone, Kimball, -Fenton and a jolly young man by the name of Lock were to handle the -mallets. - -"Come, Mr. Diamond and Mr. Merriwell," called Kenneth; "I will provide -you with suits." - -They followed him into the summerhouse, where such paraphernalia was -kept, and in a short time all three were rigged out in white breeches, -striped blouses and high boots. - -"You will find Liner a dandy polo pony, Mr. Merriwell," declared -Kenneth. "Father paid nine hundred dollars for him." - -"It's jolly good of you to let me have him, St. Ives," said Frank. "Why -don't you ride him yourself? I don't feel like taking him away from -you." - -"Oh, that's all right," laughed Kenneth. "You are my guest. I'll ride -Coffin Head." - -"Coffin Head! What a name for a horse!" - -"He's an old-timer--a gone-by; but he knows the game, and that is -something in his favor. Of course, I do not expect to cut much ice with -him, but I want Diamond to have a good mount. Coffin Head has seen his -day, but he has been a dandy." - -Frank mentally decided that St. Ives was a fine fellow, and all right in -every way. - -They went out to the stable, hearing the ringing sound of a coach horn, -and seeing a coaching party approaching along the road. - -"There'll be a jolly crowd here!" cried Kenneth. "There's a party from -Cloverdale. We'll have no end of sport, fellows!" - -There was a flush in Diamond's cheeks, and it was plain he was eager for -the fray, although he said very little. - -Just as they were on the point of entering the stable, Stephen Fenton -rode out on a handsome pony with four white feet and a general smart -look. - -St. Ives halted in astonishment. - -"Hello, there!" he cried. "What are you doing with that horse, Steve?" - -"I'm going to ride him in the match," answered Fenton, grimly. - -"I guess not!" exclaimed Kenneth. "I have promised Liner to Mr. -Merriwell." - -"Can't help that," retorted Fenton, with a sneer. "I rode him in the -last match." - -"And so you should be willing to let somebody else have him to-day. -Don't be piggish, Steve." - -The man scowled. - -"I didn't suppose anybody would object to letting me have him to-day, -and that is why I took him. I see you are afraid of being beaten. What -pony did you propose to let me have?" - -"Any one but that one. I did think of riding Coffin Head, but you may -have him." - -"Coffin Head! You must think I'm a fool! Why, that old cob is played -out, and I'd be a perfect guy on him. You can't work that on me, Ken." - -St. Ives was angry. He showed it in his face and voice. - -"I don't care what you ride! You can have anything but Liner." - -"And I'll have Liner!" flung back Fenton, defiantly. "I've got him, and -I'm going to keep him. What can you do about it? We'll show you chaps up -in great shape." - -Then he started the pony up, and rode away toward the green. - -St. Ives seemed about to follow him. - -"I'll make him give that pony up!" he grated. "He has no right to take -Liner! If he doesn't want to play, let him get out." - -"I wouldn't have any trouble with him about it," said Frank. "If you do, -he'll make a big fuss about our being scared. Let's look at the other -ponies first, anyway." - -After a few moments of hesitation, St. Ives led the way into the stable, -and the boys looked the other ponies over. - -One of them was a homely old crock, with knees and hocks bunched up out -of all semblance to those built on strictly anatomical principles. This -pony attracted Merriwell's attention. - -"That is Coffin Head," said St. Ives. - -Instantly an inspiration seized Frank. - -"If you don't mind," he said, "I'll ride Coffin Head." - -Kenneth gasped. - -"You can't mean it!" he exclaimed. - -"I do," nodded Merry. "Somehow I've taken a fancy to the old fellow. You -say he has been a good one?" - -"One of the best." - -"Then he hasn't forgotten the tricks of the business. I'm going to try -him." - -"The boys will have sport with you, Merry," said Diamond. - -"Let 'em," smiled Frank. "I may get as much sport out of it as they do. -May I have Coffin Head, St. Ives!" - -"Of course you may if you want him," said Kenneth, "but I'm sorry -that----" - -"Never mind it!" came gayly from Merriwell. "Saddle up old Coffin Head -for me, boy," he cried, to one of the assistant hostlers. "I'll manage -to take some part in the game. Hurrah for Coffin Head, the old-timer! He -may prove a surprise party for somebody." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV--THE FIRST GO - - -Tang! tang! - -It was the timekeeper's gong, and the game of polo was begun with a -charge. - -Each team had lined up within twenty feet of their respective goals, -and, as the ball was dropped in center field, the little ponies tore -forward like blooded racers. - -It was a spectacle to send the blood leaping in an instant. - -For all that the game had been hastily gotten up, the boundary line was -crowded with the _elite_ of the countryside. It seemed as if people had -risen from the ground. - -Merriwell's friends were all together, and, with the possible exception -of Browning, they were keenly interested. Bruce was stretched out in a -lazy position on the ground, seemingly as apathetic as usual. - -Bart Hodge's dark eyes were gleaming and his cheeks glowing. - -"Oh, if I could have taken part in that!" he muttered. "I don't believe -Diamond can play the game a bit better than I can." - -Bart was disappointed, and a feeling of jealousy toward Diamond had been -aroused in his heart. It began to seem that Frank cared too much for -Jack. - -"It's queer, too," thought Hodge. "Diamond was growling all the time -while we were in the West, and he made the rest of the crowd tired. -Merry is the only one who has had any patience with him; but that's just -like Frank. He's mighty queer, and I don't understand him now, for all -that I have known him so long." - -Kenneth St. Ives was captain of the Springbrook side, while Paul Stone -commanded the other side. - -"Soy," cried Mulloy, "will yez take a look at thot ould bob Frankie is -shtraddle av! Did yez ivver see th' loikes av thot?" - -"Gol darned ef that don't look jest like dad's old plaow hoss!" laughed -Ephraim Gallup. "Ther sight of that critter makes me wish I was to hum -on the farm. I'm humsick, b'gosh!" - -Bruce Browning grunted and looked disgusted. - -"Merry must be a fool to take such a pony!" he growled. "They're making -a guy of him." - -"G'way dar, boy!" muttered Toots, shaking his head. "Don't yeh beliebe -yehself! Dey don' mek no guy ob dat boy ver' much." - -"Say, Browning," cried Rattleton, excitedly, "you ought to know better -than to think anybody can fake a mool--I mean make a fool of Frank." - -"Yaw!" nodded Hans; "I oughter known petter dan dot, hand't you? Vot do -I take you for, Prowning! Vere you peen all my life, ain'd id? You don'd -fool Vrankie Merrivell haluf so much as I think you can, you pet my -axidental bolicy." - -In the opening charge Frank did not get in quite as quick as the others. -Mounted on Liner, Steve Fenton shot down on the ball, and with a -skillful crack, sent it skimming toward the Springbrook goal, causing a -shout to go up from the spectators. - -"He'll make a goal for Meadowfair, in less than two----Great Scott! -how'd the boy do that?" - -Frank, somewhat behind the others, had caught the ball as it skimmed -like a bullet over the ground, even though it seemed that he must have -swung his mallet almost at the same instant as Fenton. The first crack -was answered by a second, and the basswood ball suddenly went skimming -back toward the Meadowfair side, with Diamond racing after it to send it -through. - -But Liner showed his mettle. It did not seem that Fenton paid the least -attention to the pony, but the creature twisted about in a moment, and -carried its rider along at Diamond's side. - -It was a brief but most exciting race, and the spectators cheered and -waved their handkerchiefs. - -"Go it, Diamond, old boy!" cried Harry Rattleton. - -"Go id, Shack, oldt poy!" shouted Hans, hopping about like a toad. "You -vill pet on my head!" - -"Git doawn an' crawl, gol darn ye!" whooped Ephraim. "Naow hit her a -knockaout blow, and---- Great gosh!" - -In a most skillful manner Fenton's pony had forced Diamond's mount over, -and the dark-faced man swung across in time to get a crack at the ball. -The skill with which he struck it told that he was the most dangerous -player on the Meadowfair side. - -"Look out there, Harden!" cried St. Ives. - -Harry stopped the ball, but it caromed from his mallet and came near -going out of bounds. In a twinkling there was another hot rush and a -threatened crash. Immediately all the players were clumped about the -ball. - -"Where are you, number one?" cried Paul Stone. "Strike, Kimball--strike, -man! What's the matter with you?" - -For some moments the ball "hung," and the players "dribbled"; but they -were cool, and Lock made a neat and quick turn, passing the ball to -Fenton, who took it up and hit it to boundary. - -Over the board went the ponies, and the sticks crooked as they tried to -give the ball a fillip outside. But Diamond, "half-back" for -Springbrook, saw his opportunity, made a rush and a hard backhander on -the near side, and out shot the little white sphere on its way to glory. - -Merriwell was on it, as if he had been waiting for that very play. His -stick, which he had selected with great care, seemed to swing free for a -moment from the strap about his wrist, then the malacca did its work. - -"Hooray!" cried Ephraim Gallup. "It's a goal sure! Hooray!" - -"Yaw!" screamed Hans, "id peen a dandy!" - -"Outside! outside!" - -"Who says outside?" snapped Rattleton. "The referee? I know better! It's -a goal sure!" - -"Outside, I tell you!" came the voice of the referee, and the game -stopped. - -It was a disappointment for Frank's friends, for they had felt certain -he would make a goal, but the fairness of the referee was not to be -questioned. - -The captain of the Meadowfairs had the strike-off, and the Springbrooks -fell back from the line. - -But Stone was cunning, and he gave the ball a clever sweep to right -field, and away from his goal. His "forward" knew the trick, and Liner -was keyed up for a race to boundary. - -But Frank had seen that trick before, and he resolved to find out what -sort of stuff Coffin Head was made of, now that there was a good -opportunity. The pony had handled himself with such ease and skill, for -all of his awkward and homely appearance, that Merry was more than -delighted, and now came the supreme test. - -Liner flew out after the ball, upon which Fenton's eyes were steadily -fastened. But Coffin Head was in the race, and the old crock didn't do a -thing but spread himself. The way he tore along over the ground amazed -everybody who saw it. It seemed that the old horse had renewed his youth -and was out for blood. He made the run of his life to get his rider on -that ball. Like a meteor he flew across the green, and Liner was fairly -beaten, causing Frank Merriwell's friends and admirers to rise up and -shout with astonishment and delight. - -The check was too sudden, however, and the old pony slid on his -haunches. Then up rushed a mass of men and ponies, making for a moment a -wild _melee_. - -Kimball got a crack at the ball, but it glanced off the ribs of Harden's -pony, causing the animal to wince and swerve. - -That let in Merriwell, who had brought Coffin Head about, and he made a -skillful stroke. As he did so, he felt something whistle past his head, -and realized that he had narrowly escaped a blow that must have spoiled -the effectiveness of his work. - -Frank did not take his eyes off the ball; but, nevertheless, he saw it -was Fenton who had attempted the foul stroke, being unable to reach the -ball himself. - -Diamond went down on the sphere with a rush, and carried it along toward -the enemy's posts. With a clean lead at the proper moment, the -Virginian, who had already showed himself a perfect horseman and perfect -polo player, sent the white ball sailing through the timber, and -Springbrook had made the first goal. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV--THE END OF THE GAME - - -Diamond was heartily congratulated, and his dark face flushed with -pleasure over his success. - -"But I didn't do it alone," he declared. "Merriwell deserves as much or -more credit, for he sent it out of the bunch, and gave me my chance at -it." - -"You fellows must have played together a great deal," said Harden. "You -work together perfectly." - -Frank laughed. - -"We never played together in a game before," he said. "I didn't know -Diamond played polo till a short time ago." - -"It's remarkable!" smiled St. Ives, who was delighted over the work of -his team. "And old Coffin Head is right in the game." - -"You bet!" cried Merry. "He is an old dandy! I wouldn't swap him for -Liner now!" - -"But he has not done such work this season. He is in his old-time trim, -and I believe two-thirds of it comes from his rider." - -Diamond touched Frank's arm, and drew him aside. - -"Say, Frank," he whispered, "do you know you came near getting a crack -over the head?" - -"Sure," nodded our hero. - -"Well, take my advice and look out for that Fenton. I saw him when he -struck at you, and I know he would have struck just as quick if his -mallet had been made of iron." - -"I'll watch out for him, Jack." - -"Do it, and I'll keep my eyes open myself." - -Lock had strained his side twisting in the saddle for a stroke, and a -fellow by the name of Hawley was substituted. Kimball and Stone both -rushed to the stable to change ponies, and Hawley called for another -pony in the place of the one Lock had ridden. Of the Meadowfairs, Fenton -was the only one who retained his mount. - -Harden was the only Springbrook man who made a change. His pony had not -acted satisfactorily, although it was considered a fairly good animal. -But it is an old saying that "the more a man knows about polo ponies the -less he knows about them," and the paradox is an indisputable truth. - -Nearly all polo ponies are Western bred, and have broncho blood in them. -A broncho is unreliable at best. For a thousand times he may serve you -perfectly, and then, when you least expect such a thing, for no apparent -reason, he may prove utterly unreliable. - -Ponies for expert players must have lots of speed and good blood in -them, but it is necessary that they should be tough and hard to injure. - -As for the game of polo, there is no other sport in which the nervous -force, cool decision and quick judgment of man are coupled to such an -extent with the natural instincts of the horse. - -Polo, properly played by man, with ponies thoroughly trained and keyed -up to the highest tension, is a game which possesses just danger enough -to make it attractive to men of nerve. It requires a cool head, quick -eye, infinite perseverance and marvelous horsemanship. - -The chief qualifications of an expert polo player are the ability to -measure distance while riding at top speed, the knowledge when and where -to race, and the judgment and skill to play a waiting game at times. The -best player should be a past master of all the strategies and tactics of -a cavalry horseman. - -Besides this, it requires courage. A player must have the kind of nerve -that would face unflinchingly a hand-to-hand struggle for life on the -battlefield. - -The friends of Frank and Jack hastened to congratulate them, with the -exception of Browning and Hodge. The former was too lazy to exert -himself so much, and the latter was in the "dumps," as the sulky look on -his face plainly indicated. - -"Gol darned if I ever saw sich a crummy lookin' hoss as that what could -git araound so humpin' lively!" declared Ephraim Gallup. - -"Yaw, dut bony peen lifely as a pedpugs," nodded Hans. "Vot vould you -take for him uf you vant to bought him, Vrankie?" - -"Merry, me b'y," put in the Irish lad, "it's a lulu ye are, an' Diamond -is a p'ache; but it's thot spalpane Finton ye want to be lookin' afther -roight sharrup, fer Oi saw him swat at yez." - -"Don't worry, Barney," said Frank. "I'll keep watch of him." - -Iva St. Ives chatted with Harry Harden, while from a distance, Stephen -Fenton chewed his dark mustache and watched them sullenly, muttering to -himself. - -There was a sudden hurrying out from the stable. - -"Time!" - -Bang!--sounded the gong, and once more the game was on. - -"Now play, boys!" cried Paul Stone. "We won't waste any time. Don't fool -with it! Hit it hard!" - -Fenton was on the ball, and he struck it as if an engine was back of -him. The sphere flew over the grass, and Liner took his rider in hot -pursuit. - -Harden tried to get in at the ball, but was cleverly hustled by Kimball. -It seemed plain sailing. The Meadowfairs were going at it with a rush, -and it looked like a goal at once. - -Another hundred feet, and then, with a clever stroke, Fenton passed the -ball to the mallet of Hawley. But Hawley's stick was too short by three -inches, and he missed on the swing. - -Harden was making a hard push for the ball, and Fenton, who was -following it up, tried to crowd him. They came along side by side, with -their knees jammed together as the ponies raced. - -Then--how was it done? Liner seemed to stop suddenly, as if turned to -stone, and Harden was torn from the saddle of his pony, which shot on -without him. He fell heavily to the ground in the very track of the -whole mass of onrushing ponies. - -A scream of fear broke from Iva St. Ives, who was watching it all, for -it seemed that Harden was doomed to be severely injured beneath the -hoofs of the ponies--perhaps killed. - -Frank was slightly in advance of the others, and, quick as thought, he -leaned far over to one side, like a cowboy, and his hand fastened on the -belt of the fallen player. - -Harden was too heavy for Merriwell to swing back into the saddle, but he -carried the young man along till the other players could swerve aside, -and he did not drop him till he could stop Coffin Head. - -In a moment Harden was on his feet, and, as he sprang up, the spectators -broke into loud cheers. - -"Thank you, Merriwell!" exclaimed the man Frank had thus cleverly saved -by a cowboy trick. "I won't forget that." - -Then he darted away after his pony, apparently uninjured. - -"I know it was a foul trick that flung him from the saddle," thought -Frank. "I wonder why the referee doesn't declare a foul? Is there some -kind of a job in this?" - -Then a shout came from his lips as he awoke to the fact that the game -was still on, and Diamond had cleverly prevented Fenton from making a -goal. - -Coffin Head was away after the ball almost before the shout came from -Frank's lips. As if nothing of an unusual nature had happened, the game -continued. - -Hawley tried to cut Merriwell off from the ball, but old Coffin Head -would not have it, and Frank got in a crack that made the spectators -shout with delight. Then Kimball shot across ahead of Frank, and Kenneth -St. Ives found a chance to carry the ball down the field, but broke his -stick trying to strike a goal, and was forced to ride out of bounds for -another mallet. - -Luckily for Springbrook, Diamond was playing the game of his life. He -came down and drove the ball from under the nose of Kimball's pony, -making another goal just as the first half closed. - -Then came a rest of ten minutes, during which the ponies were rubbed -down and the perspiring but enthusiastic players secured a respite. - -Frank was quickly surrounded by an admiring throng. Pretty girls crowded -about him, and sought an introduction, and men came up and felt of his -arms, expressing their amazement that he should have been able to rescue -Harden from beneath the feet of the charging ponies. - -This was all very embarrassing for him, and he sought to get away. As -soon as possible, he joined his friends, but they were ready with -congratulations. - -"It must have been tough, don't you know," yawned Browning; "but it was -clever, Merriwell--confounded clever." - -"It was a dandy trick!" cried Harry Rattleton, bubbling with enthusiasm -and admiration. "What'll the fellows at Old Yale say when they hear of -your cowboy trick, Merry?" - -"For Heaven's sake, don't tell them about it!" exclaimed Frank. "What is -there to make such a fuss over?" - -"Gol darned if I don't think that feller was throwed off his hoss by -Fenton!" put in Ephraim. "I couldn't see just haow the trick was done, -but I bet four dozen aigs it was done somehow." - -On this point Frank was silent. - -Soon the gong sounded again, and the play was on once more. The -Meadowfair men seemed desperate, and they fought like tigers. Three -times within as many minutes the ball was forced down so near the -Springbrook goal posts that a clever strike would have made a goal, and -three times, mounted on old Coffin Head, Frank Merriwell sent it back -into the center of the field. - -On the third trip, Kenneth St. Ives got in a clever stroke and passed it -to Diamond, who had been playing a waiting game. Jack saw his chance, -and he rushed it for the Meadowfair posts. - -Fenton charged on Jack like a whirlwind, but made a miss stroke, and the -Virginian rushed the white sphere down through the posts, making another -goal for Springbrook. - -Two minutes' rest followed, and then the ball was put in again. - -The face of Stephen Fenton was dark with anger, and he played as if -possessed by a fiend. But all his work was vain, for Springbrook made -three goals in the last half, and the game closed with a complete -whitewash for Meadowfair. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI--BEFORE THE HUNT - - -"I believe there will be a frost to-morrow morning," declared Kenneth -St. Ives, as the boys were gathered in the summerhouse that evening. "It -has turned very cold within an hour, and there is not a breath of wind. -If there is a frost look out for sport." - -"What sort of sport?" eagerly asked Harry Rattleton. "Something we can -all take part in?" - -"Sure." - -"Name it." - -"Fox hunt." - -"Jupiter! That will be great." - -"We've got as fine a pack of hounds as can be found in this part of the -country, although it is not a large pack," said Kenneth; "and we have -the foxes. Every one of you fellows who can ride may take part in the -hunt." - -"I'm pretty sure I shall have another chill to-morrow." mumbled -Browning. "I wouldn't dare start out on a hunt." - -"Rats!" cried Rattleton. "The trouble with you is----" - -"Let Browning stay behind and take things easy," said Hodge, quickly. -"The rest of us can go. For real sport, give me a fox hunt." - -"Yaw!" nodded Hans; "dot peen der sbort vor you, hoch. I peen britty -coot at dot." - -"Hev yeou got guns for ther hull on us?" asked Ephraim. - -"Guns?" cried Kenneth, astonished. - -"Yeh." - -"What do you want of guns?" - -"Why, to shoot the gol darn fox with, of course!" - -"But what do you want to shoot him for?" - -"Hey!" gasped the astonished Vermonter. "Haow be yeou goin' to hunt him -if yeou don't shoot him?" - -"Why, we hunt foxes on horses, and let the dogs run them down." - -"An' don't do nary bit of shootin'?" - -"No." - -"Wal, that's what I call a mighty slim sort of a hunt," declared Gallup, -in disgust. "Yeou oughter see Win Page hunt foxes daown hum. Give that -feller one dorg an' a good gun, and he'll go out 'most any mornin' an' -gather in two or three of the critters afore breakfast. He keeps the -door of his barn all nailed over with fox skins, an' skunk skins, an' -muskrats, an' he kin set araound the grocery store an' tell huntin' -stories fer a week at a time 'thout stoppin' to eat ur ketch his -breath." - -"It is evident that Mr. Page hunts foxes in a different way and for a -different purpose than we do," smiled Kenneth. - -Then Frank briefly explained to Ephraim the style of hunting foxes on -horseback for sport, but Gallup did not seem to think there could be -much sport in it that way. - -"I'm sorry father had to fire Wade, the head hostler, to-night," said -St. Ives. - -"Had to fire him?" questioned Frank. "What for?" - -"He was drunk and insolent. But he knows more about taking charge of a -stable than any man I ever saw, and he kept our hunters in fine -condition. He has been drinking too much lately, however, and he was -getting intolerable. By the way, Merriwell, you had better look out for -him." - -"Why--how is that?" - -"He seemed to think you were the cause of his dismissal, and he said he -would 'make it all right.' He's got a bad temper when he's boozing." - -"Why, I didn't say anything to your father about Wade." - -"I know it, but I told father about your trouble with him, and it is -possible that's why father was so ready to get rid of the fellow. Father -insists that his guests shall be treated properly by everybody connected -with the place." - -"If Mr. Wade knows what's good for him, he'll let Merry alone," declared -Rattleton. - -"He may not be seen around here again," said Kenneth. "Father told him -to get away and stay away." - -The boys' discussed the prospect of a hunt and grew very enthusiastic -over it, with the exception of Browning. Hodge was aroused, for he -fancied he saw his opportunity of making evident the fact that he was -quite as good a horseman as Diamond, whom he could not help envying for -the glory he had won at polo. - -Bart had not been able to change his nature, and so he frequently was -jealous of others, although he tried to suppress and conceal the fact, -and, when he considered it in cold blood, he was always disgusted with -himself. - -Kenneth said the visitors at the house, those who had arrived that day -and remained there, had been talking of a hunt, but it was not thought -probable there would be an opportunity thus early in the season. The -cold turn would be sure to arouse their expectations, however, and he -would see that they were prepared for what might happen in the morning. - -"I'll guarantee a mount for every one who cares to go," he said; "so -don't any one worry about getting left." - -The prospect of such sport seemed to revive Hodge, and he challenged -Rattleton to a game of billiards, which challenge was promptly accepted. - -St. Ives rang the bell for a colored boy, who lighted up the -billiard-room, and soon Bart and Harry were at it, while the others lay -around and looked on. - -St. Ives motioned to Frank and Jack. - -"You fellows come with me," he said. "I've something to show you." - -They followed, and he took them out to the huge dog kennel, which was a -house by itself, located under the trees by the stables. Their approach -aroused the dogs, but the sound of St. Ives' voice quieted them, and the -boys entered. Kenneth lighted two lamps, while the dogs frolicked around -him. - -"Down, Bruiser--down!" he ordered. "Off Pirate! Away, Madge--get out!" - -The dogs obeyed him reluctantly, - -"There, fellows," he cried, proudly, "what do you think of them? I say -they are all right, and they are dying for a run. I reckon they will get -it in the morning." - -Frank and Jack looked the dogs over critically. Diamond's eyes gleamed -and he called Pirate to his feet. - -"Here is the old dandy for any sum!" cried the Virginian. "That dog will -be in at the death if he can keep a foot under him." - -Kenneth nodded. - -"Pirate is a great hunter," he said; "but he doesn't run away from Madge -very often." - -For half an hour they looked the dogs over, and then left the kennel. - -"I'll have to go into the house, and see what the others think about -it," said St. Ives. "Won't you come in, fellows?" - -"No," said Diamond; "I am too tired." - -"I'm tired myself," confessed Frank. "I think we'll roll into our beds -very soon." - -The boys strolled down past the summerhouse, while Kenneth went into the -mansion. Through a window Frank and Jack could see the billiard players -at work, and they heard Rattleton shout with laughter at some fluke -Hodge made. - -"It strikes me this is the last round of sport before we get back to the -grind," said Jack. - -"Yes," said Frank, somewhat sadly; "we've had our summer's whirl, and -it's over; but it was fun while it lasted." - -Arm in arm, they walked down through the garden. They did not take the -gravel path, but kept on the grass. Their feet made no noise, and they -were silent, as both were thinking of their varied adventures since -starting westward on the bicycle tour. - -All at once they heard voices, and stopped suddenly. - -"Catch your chance, Bill. A hundred for the boy and two hundred for the -man. You do not like either of them, so----" - -"Like 'em! Cuss 'em, I hate 'em! I'll do it if I git a good chance." - -"That is settled, then. You'd better get away from here, for you don't -want to be seen. Good-night." - -"Good-night." - -Frank leaped toward the bushes beyond which the voices sounded. They -were thick, and he broke through with difficulty. When he reached the -other side, he could hear the sound of running feet in dull retreat, but -both men were gone. - -Frank started in pursuit, but the ones who were running away seemed to -know the turns of the garden walks better than he did, for both got -away. - -Diamond found Merriwell near the summerhouse chewing his lip and -standing in an attitude that expressed mingled rage and disgust. - -"Didn't catch either of them, did you?" asked Jack. - -"No," was the answer; "but I think I know them both. They were the -discharged hostler and Steve Fenton, or I'm daffy." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII--THE HUNT - - -"Hark away!" - -The sound of baying hounds and the hunter's horn cut the crisp morning -air. - -"The dogs have struck a track!" gayly cried Frank, who was mounted on -Firefoot, having chosen that horse, although warned that he was the most -dangerous animal in the Springbrook stables. "Listen to that! Is it not -music to stir the blood?" - -The baying of the hounds grew more and more distinct, and surely it was -sweet music to the ear of the enthusiastic hunter. Rising, falling, now -loud and clear, now faint and low, the mellow notes came across the -meadows. - -"They're coming this way!" cried Diamond, excitedly, as his mount -pricked up its ears and pawed the ground, plainly longing to be off -after the baying dogs. "Come, Frank!" - -"Shimminy Ghristmas!" gurgled Hans Dunnerwust, who was astride an old -steed. "You don'd pelief dese hoss vos bound to run avay mit myseluf, do -I?" - -"I don't think ye need ter worry abaout that," grinned Ephraim Gallup. - -"I make you feel petter ven you said dot," declared the Dutch boy. "I -peen avraidt I might run avay mit dese hosses und throw heem off." - -"It's a warm scent, fellows!" palpitated Bart Hodge, who was a-quiver -with excitement. "Oh, this morning will be filled with glory!" - -"I thought you fellows would enjoy it," said Kenneth St. Ives, who was -with Frank and his friends, the hunters having split into two parties. -"I want you to enjoy all the time you spend at Springbrook." - -"There's the horn again!" fluttered Diamond; "and there they come! It's -a signal to us. Look! look! look!" - -Out from a bit of scattering timber far across the meadows broke the -hounds, the foremost running nose to the ground, the others following -close, but often baying with uplifted muzzles. As the dogs had just -struck the track, the hunters were close after them, and the bright -colors of their clothing showed through the trees almost before the dogs -appeared, rising and falling with the movements of their galloping -horses. - -"Harden is in the lead!" cried Kenneth St. Ives, "and Fenton is a close -second. Look--look, fellows! The third one is my sister! Doesn't she -ride beautifully! Oh, she is as good as the best of them! I'll wager a -sawbuck she leads both Fenton and Harden before the chase is over, and -she is sure to be in at the death." - -"That's a habit I have myself," smiled Frank Merriwell; "and I shall -make an attempt to be in at the death this morning." - -"Firefoot will balk on you before you are through with him," declared -Kenneth. "He's got speed and blood, but he is treacherous." - -"I don't believe he will play any tricks on me," said Frank. "I do not -believe he has been handled right. Your hostler, Wade, had a grudge -against the horse, and Fenton didn't know how to treat him. But this is -no time to talk of that. See--the dogs take that hedge! Hurrah! See -Harden follow! What a glorious sight! Hurrah! hurrah!" - -The boys could not repress their cheers. The horses they bestrode were -dancing now, but the animals were held in check yet a little longer, and -then, with a cry to the others, Frank gave Firefoot his head. - -Down toward the hunters charged the second party, riding to join them. -They were seen, and Harden set the horn to his lips and blew a welcome. - -Ta-ra, ta-ra, ta-ra-tar! - -How the bugle note cuts the frosty air! It is enough to stir the blood -in the veins of a sluggard. - -The horses cannot be held in check. Oh, the glorious excitement of the -mad ride--the delight of speed! Whip nor spur is not needed, and like -birds they go across small washouts, down into a tiny ravine, and then -up again with short, sharp jerks. - -"Ou-oo! ou-oo! ou-oo!" - -It is the baying of the hounds, the whole pack bursting into a grand -swell of melody. Who would not rise early to hear such a morning chant! - -The fox--there he goes! He is a red fellow, fine and large, good for -many a mile. He seems to run with his legs stretched straight and his -body almost touching the ground, while his brush is defiantly erect. - -"This is indeed sport!" thought Frank Merriwell. "And, barring -accidents, Firefoot will bring me in at the death." - -"Hi! hi! hi!" - -The fox came to a fence. Under it he went. A moment later the hounds -reached the fence, Pirate in the lead. Over they went in a stream, as -pretty a spectacle as one could ask to see. - -Firefoot swept along like a meteor. Frank could have cut ahead of -Harden, but he knew better than to do such a thing. He fell behind the -bugler, but ahead of Fenton. The others of his party were farther back. - -The fence was reached, and Harden cleared it beautifully, without -seeking for an easy spot. Frank followed, and Firefoot sailed over the -obstruction like a bird. - -"Good boy!" laughed Merry. "You're all right! I'd like to own you!" - -A strong feeling of affection for the horse sprang up in his breast. He -touched Firefoot's neck with a caressing hand. - -Now came some scrub timber, and through it darted the fox, with the -hounds plunging at its heels. Harden did not swerve, but held straight -on the track. Frank followed. - -Limbs were dodged, bushes slapped him in the face, and vines tried to -drag him from the saddle; but he did not draw rein. Straight on he kept, -and soon the small timber was behind. - -A road was reached and crossed. Ahead was a field that sloped gradually, -presenting a full view of the chase. Still the fox was running speedily, -holding its own with the dogs. - -"Ou-oo! ou-oo! ou-oo!" - -Again and again the entire pack gave tongue. An old farmer on his way to -market, stopped his cart on the road, stood up, waved his hat about his -head, and cheered like a boy. - -Once Frank looked back. - -"Jove!" he exclaimed. - -Almost neck and neck, Steve Fenton and Iva St. Ives were following him. -It was plain that the girl was riding with as much reckless abandon as -the best of them. It was not an easy thing for her dark-faced cousin to -hold his own with her. - -"She is a queen!" muttered Frank, as he once more gave his attention to -the chase. "I don't wonder that Harden is stuck on her. And he appears -like a fine fellow. I hope he wins her." - -The fox had darted under another fence, and again the dogs were -streaming over. Harden followed close, seeking no favors. His horse -cleared the fence, and onward he went. - -"Firefoot, old boy," laughed Frank, "you can follow him anywhere he -goes." - -Straight at the fence he charged. Firefoot lifted to the couch, settling -on his haunches, then going up into the air. - -Just then, from some unknown point, a shot rang out, and the black horse -pitched forward. Its forward feet struck the rail, and Frank was flung -headlong. - -Firefoot came down with a crash, and lay still, a bullet in his brain! - -And just beyond the fallen horse Frank was curled in a heap upon the -hard ground! - -But Frank did not lie thus a great while. As he was getting upon his -feet, rubbing his arm and shoulder, he saw Iva St. Ives and Stephen -Fenton come over the fence. And Fenton jumped his horse almost in the -track of the boy who had been in advance, although he must have seen -that an accident of some sort had happened. - -One glimpse of Fenton's face did Frank obtain, and he knew the man had -hoped to maim or kill him. Barely was he able to leap aside and escape -from beneath the feet of the horse Fenton bestrode. - -Iva St. Ives would have reined about, but Frank motioned for her to keep -on, shouting: - -"Don't stop for me! I'm all right! I'll be in at the death!" - -The other hunters cheered him, while Fenton and the girl went on without -stopping. - -Frank knew a shot had been fired. He stooped over Firefoot, and a glance -showed him the horse was dead. From a bullet hole in the animal's head -blood was welling. - -"I knew it!" muttered the boy, his face hard and set. "I saw the puff of -smoke even as I fell. It came from those bushes yonder." - -Toward the bushes he ran, paying no heed to those who called to him. He -was on a fresh scent, and he kept repeating over and over: - -"I'll be in at the death--in at the death!" - -Into the bushes he plunged, regardless of the fact that he did not know -but the would-be assassin was still crouching there. He was ready for -anything he might meet. - -The clump of bushes was small; the ground was moist. He looked around, -then stooped and examined the ground. Yes, this was the very spot! Here -were the footprints of a man, and here he had kneeled upon one knee as -he took aim when the shot was fired. Without doubt he had rested the gun -in the crotch of a sapling that was just the right height. A slight -abrasion in the bark of the sapling told Merriwell he was right. - -But whither had the wretch gone? Frank looked around, he forced himself -through the bushes. There were the tracks. - -A valley lay below. Away to the west the baying of the hounds sounded, -fainter and fainter. Through the valley ran a small stream. There was -some timber, and into the thickest of this a horseman was vanishing. -Something in his hands looked like a gun. - -"There's my game," cried Frank. "I'd give something for a good -horse----Jupiter!" - -A horse was feeding in a pasture at a distance. It looked like a fairly -good animal. - -A moment later Frank was running back toward the spot where the dead -black horse lay under the fence. Two or three of his friends were there. -He gave no heed to them, but, with feverish haste, he stripped the -bridle from the dead animal. - -"What's up, Merry?" asked Rattleton, excitedly. "Who did it, anyway? and -what are you----See him go!" - -But Frank stopped suddenly and wheeled about. - -"I want that horse, Rattleton!" he cried. "There's one over yonder you -may take, if you want to bother to saddle and bridle him. I can't spare -the time to catch him." - -Harry tried to ask further questions, but not a word would Frank reply. -He pulled Rattleton from the saddle, and sprang up himself. Then he gave -the animal the spur and was away. - -Frank did not glance over his shoulder to see if the others were -following. He thought of nothing but the human game he was after. Would -the wretch secure such a start that it would not be possible to overtake -him? - -"No!" came through Frank's set teeth. "I will run him down!" - -Round the clump of bushes he guided the horse, and then cut down through -the valley toward the spot where he had seen the unknown horseman riding -into the timber. - -Over the stream leaped the horse, up the slope he galloped, and the -timber was reached. Then Frank found the very spot where the man's horse -had been hidden, and he struck the trail of the murderous-minded rascal. - -Now, Eastern boy and Yale student though he was, Frank Merriwell had -followed at the heels of the best trailers in this country. He had seen -them work, and he had studied their methods, becoming a fairly expert -trailer himself. - -At first what he discovered puzzled him. The tracks of the horse showed -quite plainly on the soft ground, but the marks of the shoes did not -seem to indicate that the animal had gone toward the timber. - -"I saw him!" muttered Frank. "It was no optical delusion." - -Then he got down on his knees, holding on to the bridle of his horse, -and examined the tracks still more closely. An exclamation broke from -his lips. - -"Queer horse that! Never heard of a horse walking on his heels before!" - -A moment later he sprang into the saddle and was away, but he was riding -in a direction precisely opposite that which it seemed the horse had -gone! - -Into the timber Frank plunged. It was not a very wide strip, and he soon -passed through it. On the farther side he found the tracks again. The -shoes of the horse pointed to the north, but Frank Merriwell rode to the -south. - -The other boys had paused to help Rattleton catch the horse in the -pasture, so they were unable to follow Frank closely. - -Ahead of Merriwell, beyond a field, lay a road. He made straight for a -gap in the fence, and there he found the horse had passed through, -apparently having turned from the road and taken to the field at that -point, judging by the direction in which the shoes pointed. - -Frank took to the road, gave his horse the spur, and tore along till he -came around a bend. Nearly a mile away a horseman was just leaving the -road and taking to the fields. He carried a rifle in his hands. - -"You're my game for a cool thousand!" thought the boy, triumphantly; -"and I believe you have handicapped yourself by the trick you have tried -to play." - -He rode in hot pursuit, and it was not long before the man discovered he -was followed. Then the unknown showed guilt, for he whipped up his horse -and tried to run away. - -"I'll kill this horse before you shall do it!" grated Merriwell. - -It was a hunt by sight now, with the fugitive making for a long strip of -timber between some hills. Frank felt that the man stood a good chance -of escaping if he got into those woods. - -A fence lay before the man in advance. It was a high, zigzag affair. -Without seeking an opening, he made straight for it. - -Frank was watching. He saw the horse try to clear the fence, saw the -animal strike, saw the man and beast go down. - -"Hurrah!" shouted the boy. "That's a check!" - -But neither the man nor horse got up. Both were hidden beyond the bushes -that grew along the base of the fence. - -Before long Frank was close to that fence, and he was lying flat on the -back of his horse, half expecting the one he was pursuing was crouching -behind the bushes, ready to stop the pursuit with a second shot. - -With his usual reckless disregard of consequences in times of great -danger, Merriwell rode at the fence, rose in the saddle, and jumped his -horse over. - -Man and horse lay under the bushes. The latter lifted his head and -struggled to rise, but fell back. The man lay quite still, with his head -curled under his body in a cramped position. - -Out of the saddle leaped the boy, and he was bending over the man a -moment later. Still the man did not stir, but the horse regarded the boy -with a look of pain and appeal in its eyes, and whinnied pitifully. - -Frank turned the man over, and the bloated face of Bill Wade, the -hostler, was exposed. The man was stone dead, his neck being broken, and -the horse had broken a leg. - -"Poor fellow!" muttered Frank, but he was thinking of the horse. - -Then he stooped and looked at the horse's feet. - -"Just as I thought!" he cried. "The shoes are set the wrong end forward -on the creature, and I might have been fooled if I had not seen Wade -riding into the timber. It was a clever trick, but it failed." - -Then he turned and looked down at the man once more. - -"In at the death!" he grimly said. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII--A CHANGE OF SCENE - - -With the death of Wade, the paid tool of Stephen Fenton, the latter took -alarm and disappeared from Springbrook Farm, leaving a clear field to -Harry Harden. - -Before leaving Springbrook, Frank was forced to repeat the story of the -hunt so many times that he became heartily tired of it. He was also -tired of being regarded as a hero, and hearing compliments from all -sides. A less level-headed lad might have become inflated with his own -importance, but "swelled head" was a disease that never secured a hold -on Frank Merriwell. - -But the boys all voted that they had enjoyed themselves hugely at -Springbrook, and each and every one of them was forced to promise that -it would not be the last visit to the place. - -They might have remained longer, as it was, but the fall term of college -was at hand, and several of them were impatient to return to dear Old -Yale. - -"I want to get back and take a rest," said Browning. "A big, long rest. -I think I need it." - -"Did you ever see the time you didn't rest a need--I mean, need a rest?" -cried Harry. - -"Are we to go right straight through to New York?" questioned Jack. - -"I thought so at first," answered Frank. "But I have received a letter -which may change our plans--if you agree." - -"What letter?" asked several. - -"A letter from Charlie Creighton, of Philadelphia. He urges us to stop -off and pay him a visit." - -"Creighton, eh?" said Jack. "I remember him. He was a good chap at -Yale." - -"Can we have some sport in Philadelphia?" questioned Harry. - -"I think so. But not such sport as we have had here or in the -mountains." - -"Dot vos all right alretty," put in Hans. "I peen villing to take it -easy for you, you bet mine life! No more vild adventures py me alretty!" - -"By gum, it's time we quieted deown," snorted Ephraim. "Ef we don't -we'll be as wild ez hawks when we git ter hum!" - -The matter was talked over for quite a while, after which a vote was -taken by which it was unanimously resolved to move on to Philadelphia, -pay a short visit to the college youth mentioned, and see "how the land -lay," as Harry expressed it. - -Two days later found them on the way. They picked out the best bicycle -road, and took their time, so that even Bruce did no growling. - -A telegram was sent ahead to Charlie Creighton, and he met them at the -Continental Hotel, at which place they decided to put up for the time -being, for they knew Creighton could not very well accommodate the whole -crowd, and they were unwilling to separate. - -"You must stay over, at least a few days," said Charlie Creighton. "And -some of you must stay up to our house too. It's up on Chestnut Hill, and -I know you will like it. My sister has a number of girl friends up -there, and all of us will do what we can to make you comfortable." And -so it was settled. - -Frank found the Creightons very nice people, and soon felt at home with -them. Mabel Creighton was a girl who reminded him slightly of Elsie -Bellwood, although he did not think her quite so pretty as his old-time -sweetheart. - -Mabel had several girl chums, and soon Frank and the other boys were on -good terms all around. - -The girls loved to play tennis, and it was not long before they induced -Frank and the others to play. - -What one of these games led to will be told in the chapter to follow. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX--FRANK MEETS DEFEAT - - -"Look out, Merriwell!" called Bart Hodge, from his comfortable seat in -the shade of the vine-covered arbor. "This game decides the set." - -"I know that," smiled Frank, as he took his position back of the base -line of the right court, poised his racket, and prepared to serve. "Miss -Creighton is a wonder at tennis." - -The pretty girl on the opposite side of the net laughed merrily. - -"Oh, what a jolly thing it will be to defeat Frank Merriwell, the great -Yale athlete, of whom my brother is forever telling some improbable -yarn!" she cried. - -Three other girls, two of whom were swinging in a hammock, clapped their -hands and laughed. - -"Do it, Mabel--do it!" eagerly urged Bessie Blossom. "My brother is -forever talking about Frank Merriwell, too! Sile seems to think Mr. -Merriwell is the only fellow in college." - -"Oh, he's not the only pebble on the beach!" sang Fanny Darling, who, -for half an hour, had been trying to tease Jack about Frank, and had -succeeded in making the loyal fellow decidedly sour and sarcastic. "He -may be able to cut some ice with men, but he'll have to sharpen his wits -when he encounters the opposite sex." - -Fanny was freckled and given to slang, but she was independent, could -take care of herself, and was popular. - -The third girl, Lucy Lake, said nothing at all, but seemed to enjoy it -all very much. - -Frank was not at all disturbed by the chaffing of the girls. In fact, he -seemed to enjoy it thoroughly, and he laughingly said: - -"If I am to fall, I could choose no fairer conqueror." - -Mabel Creighton laughed, but added color came to her flushed face, and -she could not entirely conceal her happy confusion. She betrayed in a -moment that already she had learned to regard her brother's guest with -unusual favor. - -At tennis Mabel Creighton was a wonder. Never had Frank seen a girl who -was so light on her feet and so deft with a racket. She had actually -driven him to the base line game, while she played a net game and -volleyed with such bewildering skill and rapidity that it made Frank -gasp for breath. - -To himself Frank confessed that he had never before seen a girl who -could serve so perfectly, or who ran up on her service so quickly. It -seemed impossible to take her off her guard. - -Frank had started out with a half-formed fancy to let her win, but it -was not long before he discovered she was an opponent worthy of his best -efforts. - -And now, as he prepared to serve, the score stood "games all," with one -"advantage game" to Mabel's credit. If she could win again, Frank would -be defeated. - -If possible, Frank resolved to keep her from winning that time, just to -make it interesting. - -But, on this occasion, Frank was to discover it was not such an easy -thing to keep a determined girl and a good tennis player from defeating -him. - -With as much freshness and vigor as if she had not been so long at work, -Mabel received the ball, returning it with a smashing stroke, upon which -she risked everything. - -Frank was not looking for such a play at the very start, and it took him -slightly off his guard. He got the ball on the bound, but drove it out -of bounds, and lost the first point with surprising quickness. - -"He's going to lose the set!" muttered Hodge, disconsolately. - -Fanny Darling laughed merrily. - -"Of course he is!" she cried. "Why, he isn't in it!" - -The game went forward swiftly, but Frank won the second point by -"lobbying," being able to toss the ball over the girl's head so she -could not get back to receive it. - -"He's getting desperate when he resorts to that style of play," decided -Diamond. - -Fanny Darling gave a shriek of laughter. - -"Oh, my goodness!" she cried. "Did you see that, girls? That's all the -way he can get a point now! He's afraid to try a drive! Is this the -mighty Frank Merriwell, of whom we have heard so much? Oh, my! oh, my!" - -Frank joined in the burst of laughter. - -"Miss Creighton has me guessing," he confessed. "I acknowledge I fell -back on what seemed my last and only resort." - -"It's too bad to laugh like that, Fan," protested Lucy Lake. "Just see -what a gentleman he is, and how honest he is in owning up that Mabel is -giving him a close game." - -"Too bad!" mocked Fanny. "Oh, I don't know! He's altogether too honest! -Nothing seems to ruffle or disturb him. I don't like a fellow who is so -cool. I'd give anything if I could get Frank Merriwell real good and -mad." - -"Why do you wish to do that?" - -"Oh, just for fun! I'd like to prove that he can lose his temper -occasionally." - -On the very next play Frank succeeded in winning another point by -placing the ball skillfully, which made the score stand thirty-fifteen, -in his favor. - -Hodge brightened up. - -"Oh, Merry has been fooling all along," he declared. "You'll see how -easy he will pull off the set, Miss Darling. He hasn't cared to hurt -Miss Creighton's feelings by showing her up." - -"Indeed!" scornfully returned the saucy little witch with the freckled -face. "Don't count your chickens so soon. Mr. Merriwell won't melt -things." - -Mabel Creighton looked doubly determined as she again prepared to serve. -Her eyes measured the distance to the net carefully, and though she made -a fault by placing her first ball against the top of the net, she sent -the next over with a speedy drive. - -In a moment Merry was on it, and he made a handsome return, which, -however, did not deceive the girl in the least. Mabel volleyed, and -Frank was forced to resort to the same play. For some moments the game -was highly exciting, and the spectators gasped for breath. Then the girl -smashed one down within three inches of the outside line, and Frank's -return was outside, so the score was evened. - -"Oh, I knew it!" chattered Fanny Darling. "I'll bet a pound of Huyler's -that Mr. Frank Merriwell does not make another count." - -"Done!" cried Hodge. - -"Oh, say, isn't this easy, girls?" laughed Fanny. "It's a perfect snap!" - -"For us," smiled Bessie Blossom. "We'll have some of that candy who ever -wins." - -The next point was scored by Mabel, and Diamond called: - -"You must quit fooling, Merry, old man. It's forty-thirty, and she wins -if you do not tie her this time." - -"I shall do my best," declared Frank. - -He did do his best, and it seemed that he would tire the girl out, but -he was not successful, and a final daring drive from Mabel's racket was -successful. - -She had won the game and the set. - -"Well, Merriwell, I must say you are a good thing!" called a laughing -voice. "I didn't suppose you would let a little girl like that get the -best of you at anything." - -It was Charlie Creighton himself who had entered the grounds, and was -standing near the tennis court, accompanied by a stranger. - -The latter was a stocky-built lad of nineteen or twenty, with thin lips -and a hard-set jaw, besides having a large neck that swelled at the -base. He was dressed in clothes that fitted him perfectly, but were a -trifle "loud" or "sporty," to say the least. - -"Yes, I am a good thing," returned Frank, also laughing; "and your -sister has enjoyed herself with me immensely. If you taught her to play -tennis, Creighton, she does you credit." - -"Oh," cried Fanny Darling, "now that Mr. Merriwell is defeated, I -suppose he will say it is not polite to win from a girl, and so he did -not do his best. That makes me tired!" - -"I shall say nothing of the sort, Miss Darling," declared Merry, with -unfailing good-nature. "I tell you honestly that I soon discovered I -would not be in the game at all if I loafed, and I did my prettiest. I -think I played my average game, and I know that Miss Creighton defeated -me without receiving any favors." - -"Really, you astonish me!" said Fanny, who did not seem pleased by this -confession. "But I see you are inclined to be diplomatic. I don't blame -you, but----" - -She interrupted herself with a toss of her head, and she had hinted -quite enough to bring the hot blood to Frank's cheeks, although he -pretended not to understand her meaning. - -Generous to a fault, it cut Merriwell deeply to be suspected of -declaring he had been beaten fairly and not meaning it. A blow in the -face would not have hurt him so much, but he simply smiled, saying: - -"You do me an injustice, Miss Darling." - -No one understood how Frank had been touched better than Bart Hodge, and -he growled under his breath, giving Fanny Darling a scowl, which she did -not see. - -The stranger with Charlie Creighton was sizing up Merriwell in an open -manner that was little short of insolent. - -"Merry," called Creighton, "permit me to introduce Mr. Wallace -Hegner--Mr. Hegner, Mr. Merriwell." - -Frank came forward, and offered his hand, which Hegner accepted with an -air that was rather supercilious, to say the least. - -"How do you do, Mr. Hegner?" said Frank. "I'm always pleased to meet any -of Creighton's friends." - -"How are yer?" said Hegner. - -The touch of the fellow's hand gave Merry a feeling of repulsion. He -dropped it almost instantly. - -"Mr. Hegner is Burk's trainer, you know," explained Creighton. "You -remember what I was telling you last night about Hank Burk going against -Tom Jackson?" - -"Yes, I remember," nodded Merry. "I believe you said this Jackson is -backed by the Olympic Club?" - -"Yes, they are the challenging parties. They think Jackson can whip his -weight in wildcats, and it is their boast that he will hammer the best -man Fairmount can put up all over the ring. Mr. Hegner has been handling -Burk nearly six weeks, and has him in the pink of condition. He says our -man will give Jackson the biggest surprise he ever struck. If it was to -be with hard gloves, it's more than even Burk would knock Jackson out in -four rounds. But we----" - -"Oh, Charlie!" exclaimed his sister; "what do you suppose we care about -that! You can talk of those things at the club, and you are there the -most of the time." - -"I beg your pardon," laughed Creighton. "I forgot the young ladies -present. They do not care for boxing." - -"Some of them do," said Fanny Darling, quickly. "I like a fellow who can -handle his fists scientifically and take care of himself. That's why I -admire Mr. Hegner so much." - -"Thank you," Hegner bowed, with great gravity. "The manly art is worth -acquiring, if it were useful only to protect young ladies from insult." - -"Haw!" grunted Hodge. "There are some fellows who can box a little, and -yet do not make a great spread about it." - -Hegner's eyes narrowed, and he surveyed Hodge with the same insolent air -with which he had regarded Frank Merriwell. - -"I presume you box some, sir?" he asked. - -"Not much, but I have friends who are able to put up quite a little go." - -Charlie Creighton interposed laughingly, and introduced Hegner and -Hodge. Bart bowed stiffly, but did not offer his hand, while Hegner -nodded as if he had rheumatism in his neck. Then Diamond was introduced. - -"Do you put on the gloves?" Hegner asked of the Virginian, in a blunt -way. - -"Not often," was the answer, as Jack's cheeks glowed a bit. "Never had -them on in my life till I went to Yale and ran up against Merriwell. -Southerners, sir, have a way of settling differences with other weapons -than their fists." - -"Oh!" - -Jack bit his lip, for there was a hidden sneer in that simple -exclamation. For a moment he felt like challenging Hegner on the spot, -but remembered that he was in the North, where such things did not "go." - -Hegner turned to Frank, whom he again surveyed from head to feet. - -"From what Mr. Diamond says, I infer that you are something of a boxer," -he observed. - -"Well, there are others," smiled Merry. "I do not consider myself -anything more than fairly handy with the gloves." - -"Now, Frank!" began Hodge; but Merriwell cut him short with a glance. - -"Well, I didn't know but you thought you could spar," said Hegner, in a -bored way, and then he turned and began to talk to Fanny Darling, who -chatted and laughed with him as if pleased by his attention. - -Frank was thoroughly disgusted by the air assumed by Creighton's -companion, and Charlie himself was not pleased. And Bart Hodge was -chewing his tongue as a war horse might champ its bit, while he glared -at Hegner's back in a way that told he was thoroughly "stirred up." - -After a while, Creighton proposed that they should go down to the club. -To this the girls objected, but Hodge and Diamond exchanged significant -glances, and then expressed sudden eagerness to go. - -"I'll have to go anyway," said Hegner. "Burk will be there, and I am due -to give him his regular course." - -"Well, I will remain here and do my best to entertain the girls," said -Frank. - -"Not by a hanged sight!" said Hodge, quickly. "We want you to come along -with us, Merry." - -"That's right," agreed Diamond. "Won't you come, old fellow?" - -"Oh, yes, by all means, go!" cried Fanny Darling. - -"We can get along very well without any fellow to bother us." - -It was too good an opportunity for Frank to miss, and so he quietly -said: - -"If I remained behind I should not bother you much, Miss Darling." - -This was unusually ungallant for Frank, but he began to see that Fanny -must be met with her own weapons, and he had suddenly decided on his -course of dealing with her in the future. His retort brought the blood -to her cheeks, and her eyes flashed as she snapped: - -"That's right! I wouldn't let you!" - -As the five lads walked away to take a car, Bessie Blossom said: - -"How could you be so rude to such a splendid fellow, Fan? It was just -perfectly horrid of you!" - -"That's so!" chorused Lucy and Mabel. "Frank Merriwell is splendid!" - -"Say, girls," cried Fanny, "you make me weary! The trouble with Mr. -Merriwell is that he is smart, and he knows it. He has been accustomed -to having everybody flatter him, and it will do him good to know there -are persons who do not think he is the only item in the paper. Perhaps -it will reduce the size of his head so an ordinary hat will fit him." - -"If there is any fellow in the world who has every reason to have a -swelled head, and still hasn't got one, it is Frank Merriwell," declared -Mabel Creighton. "My brother says so, and he knows. He says that, for a -fellow in such a position, Merriwell is the most unassuming chap in -college. You do him an injustice, Fanny." - -The girl with the freckles gave her head a saucy toss. - -"Oh, that's what's the matter--every one of you is stuck on him! I saw -that right away. And it always happens that way. Wherever he goes, the -girls get all broke up over him, and then flock around him. Well, he'll -find there is one girl who doesn't care a cent for him--so there!" - -"At least, Fanny, you might treat him decent," protested Mabel. - -"I will, for I won't have anything at all to say to him after this. I -hope that will satisfy you. If Wallace Hegner would put on the gloves -with him, and give him a good thumping, it would help take the conceit -out of him. But Mr. Merriwell, the great Yale athlete, would be far too -shrewd to stand up in front of Hegner for a bout." - - - - -CHAPTER XXX--FRANK EXPRESSES HIS OPINION - - -The members of the Fairmount Athletic Club, of Philadelphia, were mainly -lads under twenty years of age. There were a few older members in the -club to keep everything straight and see that it was run all right, but -the club was organized and conducted for the advantage of lads from -fifteen to twenty-one. - -Not a few of the members were sons of wealthy parents, but it was not -necessary for a fellow's parents to be rich in order that he might -become a member. Rich men contributed liberally to the support of the -club, which made it possible for the regular fees and dues to be light, -and youngsters whose parents were quite unknown, but who were regarded -as "all right" themselves, obtained admission to the club. - -Although great precaution had been exercised not to let in any one who -would be objectionable, it was impossible to exclude all objectionable -parties, for, after getting in, some of the members showed traits of -character which their best friends had never dreamed they possessed. - -Gambling in the clubrooms was prohibited, but cards, billiards and pool -were permitted. There was a fine bowling alley, and the gymnasium was -fitted up splendidly with all needed apparatus. In the reading-room were -all the late magazines and papers, among which were the leading sporting -publications. There also was a good library of books, containing volumes -treating of sports and athletics. On the walls were pictures of famous -amateurs, of matches, contests and races, of all sorts, and of the -members of the club who had made records. - -Creighton had opened the club to Frank Merriwell and his friends, all of -whom were led to understand that they would be welcomed there as long as -they remained in Philadelphia. - -After leaving the girls at the tennis ground, Charlie and the others -proceeded directly to the club. There they found a number of fellows -assembled, waiting to see Hegner put Burk through his daily course. - -Burk was there, a tall, thin fellow, with short-cropped hair and a -bullet-head. There was nothing attractive about his face, and there was -something vicious in his little eyes. - -At a glance, Frank saw that the fellow selected to represent the -Fairmounts had many of the characteristics of the professional prize -fighter. He was hard and sinewy, quick in his movements, had a big -knotty fist, and looked as if he could stand any amount of punishment. -Blows would have very little effect on him, unless they were delivered -with skill sufficient to knock him out. - -Creighton introduced Burk to the boys, and Frank talked with the fellow. -It did not take Merry long to find out that, although Burk had a father -who was wealthy and moved in good society, the son belonged to that -class of boys who never advance beyond a certain limit, no matter how -much they may be pushed. He had no fine sensibilities, and was -coarse-grained in everything. - -"What do you think of him?" asked Charlie Creighton, as they moved away, -after Frank had chatted with the young pugilist. - -"Well, you know I have not had sufficient time to form a settled -opinion," answered Merry, evasively. - -"Come off!" exclaimed Creighton, quickly. "I know you, and I know you -have sized him up. What do you think of him?" - -"To be honest, Charlie, I am astonished to find him a member of this -club." - -"Eh? Oh, I know what you mean; but Hank is all right, and his dad cuts a -figure in this town." - -"I presume he got in on his dad's reputation?" - -"Well, that had something to do with it." - -"He looks as if he might make a good professional bruiser in time." - -"Well, you know there is to be nothing professional about this affair, -old man. That's on the level." - -"How do you manage it?" - -"Why, there is a fierce rivalry between the Olympics and Fairmounts. -This club started first, and it rejected a number of fellows who applied -for membership. Those fellows usually were sons of rich parents, but -they had a bad record, and we didn't want them. They got mad and formed -an organization of their own. Their fathers were angry to think their -sons should be shut out of here, and they swore the Olympic should knock -the spots off this club. They have a building of their own, and it is -furnished magnificently. The dues are high, and no one but the son of a -rich man can afford to belong there. It has cost their fathers a royal -round sum to establish the club, and it is costing them big money to -keep it going. At first, they attempted to be exclusive and look down on -the Fairmount with disdain, but that did not seem to bother us, and when -they found it appeared to be just what we wanted, they adopted another -policy. They set out to lead us in athletics, and their men have been -against our men in every event possible since then, while they have -poured out money like water in order to down us. They have not always -been inclined to be thoroughly fair and square about it, either. If they -can get the best of us at anything by foul means, there is no doubt but -they will do it." - -"I understand. But you said this match is not to be like a professional -contest. In what way do you mean?" - -"Why, it is like this: There is no purse offered, no admission will be -charged, and the victor will win nothing but glory." - -Frank looked doubtful. - -"I fail to understand how you can carry the thing on in that way. Did -Burk agree to it readily?" - -"At first he wanted to fight for a purse, and tried to have it a hard -glove affair; but that would have made it a regular prize fight, and -Fairmount could not stand that." - -"I should say not! I believe in boxing, but if there is anything I -heartily detest it is prize fighting and prize fighters." - -"I believe I have heard you express your opinion in that direction -before." - -"I have expressed it often enough." - -"And still you can fight yourself, Merriwell." - -"I can fight if it is necessary, and I believe every fellow should learn -to do that, for there will come times when he'll find the knowledge -valuable. As long as the world stands there will be ruffians and -bruisers who will attempt to impose on peaceful people, and there have -been scores of times in my life when I have not found it possible to -avoid a fight. When I have to fight, I sail in for all I am worth, and -do the other fellow up as quick as I can; but I do not like it, and the -chap who does has too much of the brute in him to suit me." - -"You have very decided ideas on almost everything, Merry." - -"What is a fellow worth if he does not have a few convictions he is -willing to stand by?" - -"Not much." - -"That's right. I respect a fellow who will fight for what he thinks is -right, even though it may be wrong; but I do not respect a prize fighter -who will fight like a beast for a purse of money." - -"Well, there is to be no purse in this affair. I think you will like -Burk better when you know him better. He is going to fight Jackson for -the honor of the club." - -"And Jackson--what about him?" - -"I don't know. Those fellows can make such arrangements with him as they -like; it's nothing to us." - -"You do not expect to stop betting?" - -"No betting will be allowed in the clubroom. Of course there may be -betting on the outside. We can't expect to stop that." - -"Well," said Frank, "it has a slight flavor of a prize fight, and still -it is not one. What sort of gloves will they use?" - -"Six ounce." - -"Eight ounce gloves are allowable." - -"I know it, but six have been decided on. This is for points." - -"And will it be carried out under the rules of the Amateur Athletic -Union?" - -"Sure." - -"How do those fellows class?" - -"Light. Burk's weight is one hundred and forty-six usually, but Hegner -has him down to one hundred and thirty-two now, and says he does not -care to get him lighter." - -"I presume two judges and a referee will be chosen?" - -"Yes. If the judges disagree, the referee will decide." - -"Well, I hope you win the trick, Creighton." - -"Oh, we'll do that if it's possible. Hegner knows his business, and he -says Burk can do Jackson." - -"I wouldn't trust Hegner as far as I could throw a Texas steer by the -tail." - -"That's because you have taken a dislike to him. I will confess that he -is not agreeable sometimes, but it is his way." - -"It's a very poor way." - -"Yes, I'll admit that; but he was on his guard against you, for he has -heard so much about you. He expected to find that you thought you knew -it all." - -"That does not excuse his boorishness." - -"Admitted; but still I say he knows his business, and we depend on him -when he says Burk will win. Hegner is the cleverest boxer of his age in -Philadelphia." - -"That is saying considerable." - -"I mean it, and he'd prove it to you if you were to put on the gloves -with him. I know you are pretty good, but Heg would give you a -surprise." - -"He must be good, if you have so much confidence in him. Well, I -sincerely hope your confidence is not misplaced, but there is something -about the fellow's face that makes me suspicious of him. I would not -trust him, and I believe he is treacherous. It is my opinion that he -will try to get something out of this mill some way." - -"He is getting something out of it." - -"Ah! So?" - -"Yes; we're paying him to put Burk in shape." - -"It is possible that will satisfy him, but I think he's a schemer. I -tell you, Creighton, you'll find it to your advantage to look out for -Hegner." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI--THE FIRST BLOW - - -Hegner was giving Burk his regular daily training, explaining just when -it was best to use the stop for the left-hand uppercut and when it was -advisable to duck and counter on the body. - -Quite a throng had gathered to watch them. Both were stripped down to -their regular training suits, which gave Frank a chance to size them up -still better than heretofore. - -Merriwell saw he had made no mistake in Burk, but, if anything, Hegner -was more sinewy and had better muscular development than Frank had -thought. - -The two lads were working gently, going through the movements for each -blow, parry, dodge and counter with deliberation, and Frank soon saw -that Hegner really knew his business. - -"What do you think of those chaps, Merriwell?" asked Hodge, who seemed -strangely restless and nervous. - -"I haven't seen them get to work in earnest yet," was the answer. - -"Say, old man!" - -"What is it?" - -"I'd like to see you go up against that Hegner and hammer him all over -the lot. I despise the sight of him." - -"Perhaps I couldn't do the trick, you know." - -"What? Get out! I know you could!" - -Diamond was attracted by what was passing between them, and dipped in. - -"Could? Could what?" he asked. - -"Could knock the packing out of Mr. Hegner," declared Bart, -incautiously. - -"Of course!" nodded Diamond. - -Frank was about to caution them to speak lower, but it was too late. -Hegner's keen ears had heard enough, and he whirled on the trio like a -tiger. - -"Who is it that can knock the packing out of Mr. Hegner?" he harshly -demanded. "If it is one of that party, let him step out! I'll give him a -chance." - -This sudden action confused both Hodge and Diamond, and Merriwell was -silent. The eyes of all in the room were turned on the little group. - -After a moment, Hegner laughed scornfully. - -"What's the matter with you chaps?" he sneeringly demanded. "I heard one -of you say that somebody could knock the packing out of me. If you will -bring the gentleman forward, I'll be happy to give him a chance to try." - -Still the three were silent. - -"Bah!" cried Hegner. "You're a lot of bluffs! I can do you all in turn, -one after the other, but there's not one of the lot who has the nerve to -put on the gloves with me." - -"If that is what you think, Mr. Hegner, it won't take long to show you -that you are mistaken," said Frank, quietly, as he stepped out. "I am -willing to put on the gloves with you for a friendly go." - -"You'll be a snap," came derisively from Hegner. - -"Possibly so; but you can tell better about that later on." - -Creighton was somewhat disturbed. - -"Hold on, fellows!" he exclaimed. "If you're going to box, we do not -want any hard feelings about it." - -"Don't let that worry you as far as I am concerned," said Frank, as -placidly as ever. "Can I borrow a suit, Charlie?" - -"Yes, you may have mine." - -Frank followed Creighton to a dressing-room, and Diamond went along. -Hodge started to accompany them, and then seemed to change his mind, and -remained behind. - -"It's too bad!" declared Creighton, as soon as they were in the room. -"I'm sorry anything of the kind should happen." - -"I'm glad of it!" exclaimed Diamond, whose dark face was flushed and who -seemed to be well satisfied. - -"Oh, it's all right," laughed Frank, as he began to strip off. "There's -no damage done, old man." - -"But there may be. Hegner has an ugly temper." - -"Unless he can control it, it will be all the worse for him." - -"I don't know. You can't tell what he will do." - -"Don't let it worry you." - -"But you do not profess to be away up in fighting and that fellow can -fight like a tiger." - -"All the same, I shall do my best to give him a lively go." - -Creighton was worried, and he did not get over it quickly. In his heart -he feared that Frank would get so much the worst of it that he would be -regarded with derision, and he had bragged a great deal about Merriwell -as an all-around athlete. - -Diamond was not worried at all. He had the utmost confidence in Frank, -and he seemed elated to think Merry was about to get at Hegner. - -It did not take Frank long to strip and get into Charlie's suit. Then -the three came forth and found Hegner waiting for them. - -The fellows present had gathered around, and it was the almost universal -opinion that Hegner would make short work of the fellow from Yale. - -Frank looked handsome in the sparring suit. He was neither too stocky -nor too thin, but was graceful and supple, with a figure that aroused -the envy of many a lad who looked him over then. - -"This is to be a friendly bout, Mr. Hegner," he said, as he accepted the -gloves which were passed to him. "We are not to attempt to murder each -other." - -"Oh, not at all!" said the other, with a crafty twinkle in his eye. -"There is not much danger of murder with such gloves as these." - -When the gloves were carefully put on, they faced each other and shook -hands, after which they were at it quickly. - -Hegner danced away and came in with a bewildering rush, which was -avoided with ease by Frank, who gave him a light body blow as he passed. -Like a cat Wallace came about and was after Merriwell again. They -sparred a moment, and Hegner tried to get in with a feint and a straight -left-hand drive for the face. He put all his force into the blow, and it -would have been a stunner had it landed; but Frank guarded with his -right and countered with his left, sending Hegner staggering backward. - -At the very outset Merriwell had the best of it, much to the surprise of -those who had expected Hegner to "walk into him with a rush." They -looked at each other, and then said over and over that there would be a -sudden change. - -Wallace seemed a bit dazed by the reception he had received, and he -ground his teeth with anger. He did not delay about coming to the -scratch, however, and the bout went on. - -After a little sparring, both led for the face, neither guarding, and -both blows told. Then, like a flash, Hegner dropped under and tried to -uppercut Frank, thinking to do this before Merry could recover. - -The Yale lad went back with a bound, and Hegner found nothing but air. -In another instant Frank came in again, and they were at it with fresh -fury. - -Again both led at the face with their left, but both ducked, and, with -crossed arms, their fists shot over each other's shoulder. They got away -instantly, and Hegner followed Frank up, apparently determined to press -the battle. - -"If he gets Heg angry, he'll be sorry," declared one of the club -members. "The fur will fly." - -Diamond, who seldom laughed, laughed now. - -"If Mr. Hegner knows what is good for him, he'll hold his temper," he -said. "If he loses it, Frank Merriwell will play with him." - -"Rats!" was the return. "Mr. Merriwell won't melt things, if he is from -Yale. He's not the only shirt in the laundry; he can be done up." - -"You may be right, but Wallace Hegner hasn't the starch to do the job." - -"Wait and see." - -For some moments the boxers sparred craftily, feeling for an opening, -and then Hegner pushed things again. But his leads were met or dodged, -and he received several sharp raps in return. One of his swinging blows -came near landing, and it would have knocked Frank down had it reached. - -It was plain enough that all Hegner wanted was a good opportunity to -strike Merriwell with every bit of force at his command. He tried the -trick repeatedly, and the look of rage increased in his eyes as each -attempt was a failure. - -"Merriwell is cleverer than I fancied he would be," admitted one of the -club members; "but he can't last. Hegner will get him on the run after a -while." - -A lead with Hegner's left brought a sharp cross-counter from Merriwell, -and the tap set the head of the young trainer ringing. He tried to get -in with his right, and, instead of retreating a bit, was met with a -right-hand cross-counter. Then he made a savage effort to uppercut with -his left, but Frank ducked to the right and gave him a wind-killer under -the heart. - -Then it was seen that Hegner was fast losing his temper. He did his best -to get Merriwell's head under his arm, but simply succeeded in receiving -a tap on the nose that made the blood run freely. - -Hegner would have gone on fighting with the blood streaming down over -his mouth, but several fellows jumped in and stopped the bout for the -time, declaring that he must wash up. - -"I know nothing has been said about rounds, but this is enough for the -first one," said Creighton. - -"Steady, Heg, old man!" warned Burk, as he got hold of the excited -fellow. "You are losing your head and giving him all the best of it. -Take a little time to cool off, and you will be better off for it, my -boy." - -So Hegner was led away to wash off the blood, but he called to Frank -that he would return and finish the bout. - -With the exception of Hodge and Diamond, nearly every one of the -spectators was astonished by what he had seen. It was evident that Frank -had much the best of the battle thus far, but still they could not bring -themselves to believe he was a more scientific man than the trainer of -Hank Burk. Hegner would redeem himself quickly enough in the next round, -they were sure. - -Frank was quite cool, smiling a bit as he pulled off the gloves and -stood talking with Diamond and Hodge. But most remarkable of anything, -although, with the possible exception of Frank, those who saw it did not -know it, was the fact that there was a smile on the faces of both Bart -Hodge and Jack Diamond. A smile was something remarkably rare for the -face of either, and never before had they been known to smile both at -the same time. - -"Oh, this is great--simply great!" muttered Hodge. "Wonder if he isn't -beginning to think I knew what I was talking about when I said you could -knock the packing out of him?" - -"Oh, if you had on anything but those soft gloves!" said Diamond. "But -you want to keep your eyes open. Some of his blows are wicked. They'd -shake you up bad if they landed." - -"Have you seen any of them land yet?" asked Merry, in his quiet way. - -"Not yet; and that's why I'm happy. This is going to be the biggest -surprise that ever struck the Fairmount Athletic Club." - -Hegner came hurrying back, with his companions trailing at his heels. He -had succeeded in stopping the flow of blood very quickly, and now he was -palpitating to be at Merriwell again. - -"Come on!" he cried. "Let's settle this thing! I haven't got warmed up -yet." - -"Give it to him, Merry!" cried Hodge. - -"Crowd him this time!" whispered Diamond. - -Again the lads faced each other. They began sparring slowly, Hegner -making an effort to control his temper. He led at Frank a number of -times, but Merry broke ground quickly each time, and it began to look as -if he had resolved to hold off and keep away from Hegner. Wallace -decided this was so, and attempted to press the tussle. - -Right there he made his mistake. Merriwell had been trying to lead him -on, and the effort was successful. One of the trainer's rushes was met -as if Frank had been nailed to the floor, and Hegner was sent spinning -backward with two well-directed blows, catching his heels and sitting -down heavily on the floor. - -Somebody laughed outright. - -Almost frothing at the mouth, the fallen fellow leaped to his feet. For -a moment he stood glaring at Frank, and then, with a cry of rage, he -threw off both gloves and leaped forward! - -"I know when you try a foul!" he grated. "Two can play at the same -trick!" - -Then he tried to smash Merriwell in the face with his bare fist. - -Frank was not in the least excited, and he did not attempt to get the -gloves off. He met Hegner, parried his first blow, gave him a jolt that -drove him back two steps, followed him up and came in with a swinging -smash that landed on the fellow's jaw. - -Hegner was literally lifted off his feet and sent flying through the -air. His head struck against the hard wall with a resounding crack, and -then he dropped to the floor, where he lay in a limp and motionless -heap. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII--A SURPRISE PARTY - - -"I am sorry it was necessary to strike him such a blow," said Frank, as -he deliberately removed the gloves from his hands; "but I call on you -all to bear witness that he came at me with his bare fists, and I was -forced to defend myself." - -"That's right," said Charlie Creighton, quickly. "Hegner had no right to -do such a thing. You would not have been to blame if you had got off -your glove and struck him." - -To this a number of the club members agreed, while some were silent. -Hank Burk and two others bent over Hegner and tried to arouse him, but -the fellow had been severely stunned when his head cracked against the -wall and it was some time before he seemed to realize what had happened. - -When he did understand, however, he was furious. - -"Let me get at him!" he madly cried, struggling to his feet. "I'll -hammer the life out of him! I'll have revenge!" - -"Steady, Hegner!" warned Burk. "You're in no condition to go against him -now. You slipped when he struck you the last time, and----" - -Hegner caught at this eagerly. - -"Yes, yes, I slipped!" he snarled. "If it hadn't been for that, he'd -never have got the best of it. And I fell and struck against the wall. I -can do him any time." - -"Of course you can, old fellow. But you know a fight will not be allowed -in this club. You'll have to wait for your opportunity. It will come all -right." - -Hegner cooled down. - -"Take your hands off me," he said. "I won't touch him again, but I want -to tell him something." - -"Sure you won't get excited and jump him?" - -"Sure." - -"All right." - -They fell back and let him go. He advanced toward Frank, and shook a -clinched fist in his face, harshly grating: - -"This is all right, Merriwell! I'll not forget you! You can bet your -life I'll more than get even!" - -"I simply defended myself from an attack on your part, and I kept the -gloves on all the time, Hegner." - -Frank stood with his hands on his hips, looking the raging fellow -straight in the eye. - -"You struck me foul before that. Oh, I'll not forget your blow! I'll -have another whirl with you!" - -"Well, let me warn you to look out for my next blow. It may be much more -severe than the last one." - -"Bah! You are a blowhard! I'll not waste my breath on you!" - -Then Hegner turned and walked away, accompanied by Burk and two or three -others. - -Frank turned to Charlie Creighton, saying: - -"Old man, I trust you will believe me when I tell you I am very sorry -this affair occurred. It was not of my seeking, even though I had no -liking for Hegner." - -"You are not to blame in the least, Merriwell, and I believe the -majority of the fellows who saw it will say so. Eh, boys?" - -"Not in the least," chorused nearly all those present. - -"Still I am sorry it occurred here," asserted Frank. "I am a visitor -here, and----" - -"That is a reason why we should express our regrets, not you," said a -member. "Hegner lost his head when he saw you were getting the best of -him. He owes you an apology for that and for his insulting words just -now." - -"Well," smiled Frank, "I scarcely expect an apology from him, for I -believe he is a fellow who will nurse his discomfiture and brood over -it, thinking he is the one wronged. I am glad, gentlemen, you do not -think I was at all to blame." - -Then Frank, Charlie, Jack and Bart went away to the dressing-room, where -Merry stripped off and was rubbed down with a coarse towel before -resuming street clothes. - -"Merriwell," said Creighton, as he admired the magnificent figure of the -handsome young Yale athlete, whose entire body was glowing from the -rub-down, "I want to say right here that I underestimated you previous -to this. I knew you were a good man, but did not think you could make a -monkey of a fellow like Hegner, who is a semi-professional prize -fighter. I was afraid he would be too much for you, and you know I have -had considerable to say about you to the fellows." - -"I didn't know but he might be too much for me when I put on the gloves -with him," confessed Frank; "but that would not have killed me. I do not -consider myself invincible." - -"Well, Hegner was a mark for you, and we have considered him as good as -anything going in his class. It made him furious when he saw he was no -match for you." - -"In my estimation that fellow is a fake," declared Hodge. "He puts up a -big bluff, but----" - -"He may be a good trainer," said Frank. "Many a first-class trainer is -unable to put up much of a mill when it comes right down to business." - -"Oh, you want to be too easy with the fellow!" broke out Diamond. "I -don't believe he is any good, and I am sure he is crooked." - -"You have taken a dislike to him, and that's why you think that," said -Creighton. "He is all right in his way." - -"But that is a very poor way." - -"I confess that he lost his head and made a fool of himself, and I hope -he will realize it when he cools down." - -"If he should apologize I presume you would meet him halfway, -Merriwell?" - -"You may be sure of that," nodded Frank, getting into his clothes. "I'd -be a churl if I didn't." - -"If he ever apologizes I am a fool," grunted Hodge. - -When the boys came out of the dressing-room they immediately left the -club and proceeded directly to the hotel, where the rest of Frank's -friends were staying. - -Barney, Hans, Ephraim and Bruce were engaged in a game of pinochle when -the others came in, and the Dutch lad was greatly excited. - -"You poys don'd gif nopody a show!" he squawked. "On der last handt -Parney feex der carts, und dese dime I haf a shance to meld dree hundret -beenuckle, but you don't let me done him. Uf dot peen fair blaying you -vos a liar!" - -"Arrah, come off yer perch, ye Dutch chaze!" retorted the Irish lad. "Ye -troied to milt two quanes av doimonds an' two jacks av spades instid av -voicy varsey, an' thot koind av a play don't go in this game." - -"Vot vos der madder mit me anyvay!" cried Hans, flourishing his cards. -"You pelief I don'd know nottings apout dot game, hey? I shown you -britty queek, py shimminy! Vait a bit! I haf der deese und a hundred und -vifty drums, und den I pelief you vill laugh oudt uf der odder side uf -my mouth." - -"Oh, say!" grunted Browning, with a yawn, "are you chaps going to play -cards? or are you going to shoot your mouths at each other all the time? -I'm getting tired." - -"So be I, b'gosh!" put in Ephraim, banging his fist down on the table. -"I never played this game before, and yeou fellers roped me in for a -sucker, but I'll show ye what kind of suckers they raise in Varmont. I'm -gittin' hot enough to melt the hull gol darn pack!" - -"There is a lively game of cards," laughed Frank. "It is better than a -circus when they get to playing pinochle." - -The appearance of Frank and his companions broke up the game, for Hans -protested that he was being cheated, and refused to play any more, to -the disgust of the other players. - -Creighton invited the entire party to be present at the bout between -Burk and Jackson, and an hour was spent discussing the coming event, at -the end of which time Charlie departed, having invited them all to call -on him any time. Before departing, he gave Frank and Bart a quiet tip -that he would be pleased to see them that evening. - -Nearly all the boys had secured tickets for the Chestnut Street Theatre -that evening, with the exception of Frank and Bart. They were resolved -to have a pleasant time while they remained in the Quaker City. - -Although it was September, the evening proved to be very warm, and, on -arriving at Creighton's, Frank and Bart found something of a lawn party -was in progress. The garden was illumined by Chinese lanterns, with the -exception of certain cozy corners where comfortable seats could be -found, and such corners were much sought by more or less sentimental -young couples. - -An orchestra furnished delightful music, and the hum of voices and sound -of laughter could be heard on all sides, while pretty girls and -manly-looking lads strolled and flitted hither and thither about the -grounds. - -"Jove!" muttered Frank, as he and Bart paused and looked about. "This is -a surprise! Creighton didn't tell us what was going to happen." - -"If he had, I should have spruced up a trifle more," came ruefully from -Hodge. "I have half a mind to skip out now." - -"And I have half a mind to skip with you," confessed Merry. - -"Neither of you shall do anything of the kind!" exclaimed the voice of -Mabel Creighton, and then she, accompanied by Bessie Blossom, swooped -down on the hesitating lads and made them captives. - -"This is just a jolly surprise all around," Mabel explained. "There is -scarcely a soul present who knew what was going to happen. Charlie said -it was the last opportunity we'd have for a lawn party this season, and -we decided to improve the occasion. We'll have a jolly time." - -"We always have a splendid time here," said Bessie, clinging to Bart's -arm. "Charlie said you were coming, and we have been waiting for you." - -"And now we've caught you, you can't get away," laughed Mabel. - -"Then we must resign ourselves to fate and thank goodness we have such -charming captors," smiled Frank. - -"I don't seem to care what happens to me now," Hodge declared. "I can be -led to any fate without a struggle." - -"Then come on," cried Mabel, "and we'll lead you to cake and ices." - -Soon they were cozily seated at a small table, with ices before them. As -they chatted and laughed, another couple came along and took a table -near at hand. Before they appeared Frank recognized the saucy laugh of -Fanny Darling. - -"Oh, it was such fun!" she was saying, as she sat down. "I knew I could -touch him if I kept firing hot shots in his direction, and I was right. -He stood it as long as he could, and then he shot back. But wait till I -get another good chance. I won't do a thing to that fellow!" - -"He is not worth wasting your time and breath on, Miss Darling," said -the voice of Wallace Hegner. "The best thing you can do is not to notice -him." - -"Oh, I couldn't do that! There wouldn't be any fun in it. He may be -smart, but there are others. I'd like to see you get at him, Mr. Hegner. -I'll bet you'd do him up in short order with the gloves." - -"Well--ahem!" coughed Hegner, "I mean to get at him some time, and I may -not wear the gloves. What I'd like to do is to leave the mark of my fist -on his----" - -The girl gave a startled exclamation and grasped Hegner's arm, saying -something in a low tone. Hegner was heard to ask, "Where?" and a -whispered conversation followed. - -Frank was genuinely amused, for he knew they had been speaking of him. A -low, musical laugh came from his lips, and he observed: - -"It is remarkable how really amusing some little occurrences are, Miss -Creighton. Did you ever notice it?" - -The others of the party had not failed to take in the significance of -the words they had heard, and it was with no small difficulty that they -repressed a hilarious burst of laughter. Indeed the girls were unable to -refrain entirely from laughing, and Hodge smiled in a weary, derisive -way, saying: - -"Some people never know how really amusing they are. They go through the -world thinking they are having fun with everybody else, and all the -while they are making a show of themselves." - -Fanny Darling jumped up quickly. - -"Come, Mr. Hegner," she said, her voice not quite steady; "I do not care -to sit here." - -Hegner said something in a growling tone, and they moved away. - -"It's too bad," said Frank; "but we are not to blame. We could not help -hearing." - -"I don't know as it's too bad," declared Mabel. "They should be careful -what they say. I can't bear Wallace Hegner, and I do not understand what -there is about him that interests Fanny. But she is queer, anyway." - -"It doesn't strike me that she is very agreeable," said Bart. - -"If she takes a fancy, she can be awfully hateful; but she is -good-hearted, and when she likes a person she would do anything in her -power for him. It's too bad she is so freakish." - -"She is just saucy enough to be amusing," declared Frank. "I do not mind -it in the least." - -"It is evident she does not know of your little bout with Mr. Hegner," -said Hodge. "She thinks he can do you." - -"Charlie told me all about it," put in Mabel, quickly. "I'm so glad, for -Wallace Hegner has carried himself with an air that was little short of -bullying." - -"Perhaps he has learned a lesson," smiled Bessie. - -"It will take more than that to teach him a lesson," Mabel asserted. -"What he really needs is a good whipping." - -"Well, that is what he is liable to get if he does not let Merry alone," -nodded Bart. - -A few minutes later Creighton appeared. - -"Hello, fellows!" he cheerfully called. "I'm glad you are here, and I -see you have found the parties who told me to be sure to invite you." - -This confused Bessie somewhat, but Mabel immediately confessed that she -had told her brother to be sure to invite Frank. - -Charlie sat down a few moments and talked, and then strolled away, -saying he must see that every one was enjoying the evening. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII--A GIRL'S REMORSE - - -During the greater part of the evening Frank and Mabel were together, -while Bessie seemed to cling to Hodge, who appeared very well satisfied. - -Several of the fellows Frank and Bart had met at the club were present, -and it was natural that all should drift together after a time, and fall -to discussing the affair between Merriwell and Hegner. - -The boys were almost universal in positively declaring that Hegner was -entirely in the wrong, and Frank was glad to know he was not blamed for -what he had done. - -While they were talking Hegner drifted past, but seeing Merriwell in the -group did not pause. - -A little later, however, Frank and his foe came face to face. Hegner -turned as if to walk away, but whirled back swiftly, saying: - -"You have had your turn; mine comes next. I won't do a thing to you! -I'll make you sorry you ever saw the inside of the Fairmount Athletic -Club!" - -Then without waiting for Frank to speak he hastened away. - -"That fellow is full of threats," thought Merry; "and I fancy he means -to make them good if he gets a chance. I must keep my eyes open, for he -would strike a fellow behind his back." - -He found Bart talking to Bessie and Mabel, and they all went over to a -distant part of the grounds, where there were to be fireworks on the -lawn. - -There was music, laughter and song. It was a night for youth and -happiness. It was a night when a hand touch, the perfume of a breath, a -half-understood whisper, the rustle of the leaves caused the blood to -flow swift and warm in youthful veins. - -The fireworks consisted mainly of mines, Roman candles and red fire. -There were a few pinwheels, but no rockets. - -Wallace Hegner and Fanny Darling were together again. With her usual -daring, the girl was touching off Roman candles and laughing merrily. -She seemed to be enjoying herself thoroughly, but it seemed certain that -she had avoided Frank since he had overheard her talking with Hegner the -first of the evening. - -The musicians played a lively air as the candles burned, the mines -exploded, the pinwheels buzzed, and the red fire glared. Fanny Darling -ran across the lawn swinging a Roman candle and letting the fireballs -pop into the air. Hegner was close behind her, with a glowing stick of -fire in either hand. - -Suddenly there was a scream of terror, followed by a chorus of shrieks -and hoarse cries. Then it was seen that Fanny's dress was blazing. - -The girls scattered and fled from her, while the boys stood still for -the moment and stared at her stupidly. Hegner dropped both sticks of red -fire, but fell back, calling for water. - -Through the circle burst a youth who stripped off his coat as he ran. He -leaped straight toward the imperiled girl, who was vainly trying to beat -out the flames with her hands, a look of terror pitiful to see upon her -face. - -"Steady, Miss Darling!" called the voice of Frank Merriwell. "Don't -resist me and I will save you!" - -He flung the coat about her, lifted her, dropped her upon the grass, -knelt over her, rolled her, smothered the flames and beat them out with -his hands. - -It was all over in a moment. He had extinguished the fire before others -could think to move. As they gathered around he lifted her to her feet, -anxiously asking: - -"Are you severely burned, Miss Darling? I sincerely hope you are not. I -reached you as soon as possible." - -She tried to speak, and her eyes met his. She choked, her chin quivered, -and she burst into tears, sobbing: - -"Oh, Mr. Merriwell!" - -It was all she could say, but there was a world of self-reproach, shame -and remorse in that exclamation. - -It was found that Fanny Darling had been burned, but her injuries were -not severe. In beating out the flames Frank had burned his hands, but -there was a doctor present who attended to the girl and her rescuer. - -Frank's hands were covered with a coating of creamy stuff and bound up -with handkerchiefs. - -"I think that will prevent them from blistering," said the doctor. "I -always take a small case with me wherever I go, and it is fortunate I -was here to-night." - -"Oh, I am all right!" laughed Merry; "but I sincerely hope Miss Darling -was not injured much. I reached her as soon as possible." - -"It is almost certain you saved her life, and I am sure you prevented -her from being disfigured as long as she lives," declared the physician. -"She has much to thank you for." - -In another room, with her girl friends hovering about her, Fanny Darling -distinctly heard what the doctor said, for there was an open door -between the two rooms. - -Her face was very pale, and she bit her lip till the blood started, -while her hands were tightly clinched. - -"Is the pain so terrible, Fanny?" tenderly asked Mabel Creighton. - -"Pain? What pain?" - -"Why, the pain of your burns." - -"That's nothing. It was another pain that I felt." - -She covered her face with her hands, and they saw a tear steal down -between her fingers, although she made no sound. - -"Mr. Hegner wishes to see you," said Bessie Blossom. "He is at the door, -and he is very anxious to learn from your lips just how you are." - -Fanny's hands dropped, and her face grew crimson. - -"Tell Mr. Hegner that I do not care to see him!" she exclaimed. - -So Wallace Hegner was turned from the door, much to his rage and -chagrin. - -"I suppose she wouldn't see me because I didn't happen to be the one to -put out the fire," he grated, as he left the house. "What could I do? My -coat was too thin. It was just that Merriwell's confounded luck to jump -in there and do the trick. Oh, but I'm going to settle with him!" - -After a time the most of the girls left the room, and Fanny was alone -with Mabel and Bessie. Then it was that she burst into tears, sobbing as -if her heart were breaking. - -Both girls tried to comfort her. - -"What is the matter, Fanny, dear?" asked Bessie, kneeling beside her. "I -suppose your nerves are all shaken." - -"She is almost hysterical, poor girl!" said Mabel. "And I do not wonder -a bit." - -"Who wouldn't be, after such a narrow escape?" - -"It--it's--not--that!" sobbed Fanny. - -"Not that?" - -"No." - -"Then what can be the matter with you, dear?" - -"Oh, girls--I'm--I'm just the meanest creature in the--whole world--and -I just--just hate and despise myself! So there!" - -Mabel and Bessie looked at each other in astonishment. - -"You must be silly, Fanny! You are nothing of the sort!" cried Mabel. - -"Yes, I am!" sharply declared Fanny, using a handkerchief to dry her -tears. "I am just as mean and hateful as I can be, and I wish I were -dead! It would have been a good thing if I'd burned!" - -Mabel and Bessie looked horrified. - -"It's dreadful!" they exclaimed. - -"I don't care, it's true!" cried Fanny. "Just think of the mean, hateful -things I said to Frank Merriwell, and then think what he did for me! And -I did not mean those things at all! Oh, I'm wicked, and I know it!" - -"Why, Fanny! Mr. Merriwell did not mind what you said," assured Mabel, -hoping to pacify her in that manner. - -"He heard them, and he must think me the meanest, hatefulest creature -alive. I shall never dare to look him in the face again--never!" - -After a long time her agitation subsided, and then, of a sudden, she -exclaimed: - -"Girls, do you know what I am going to do?" - -"No; of course not." - -"I am going to ask Frank Merriwell's pardon on my knees! I will do it -now!" - -Both Mabel and Bessie were so astonished that they could hardly speak. -The idea of Fanny Darling getting on her knees to any one was utterly -preposterous. But there seemed a most astonishing change in her, and now -she started to find Frank. - -But Frank was gone. Charlie Creighton came in and told the girls that -Frank and Bart had departed to their hotel. - -"Oh, it's too bad!" cried Fanny. "I should have gone to him at once, but -truly I was so ashamed that I could not face him. Tell me, Charlie, was -he burned much?" - -"Well, the doctor could not tell just how severe the burns on his hands -might prove to be." - -"Well, the very next time I see him I'll do my best to let him know I -appreciate his heroism," said Fanny. - -In the meantime Frank and Bart had taken a car and were on their way to -the Continental. Bart showed considerable agitation concerning Merry's -hands. - -"I hope you will not be knocked out so you'll be unable to go in for -athletics the same as usual this fall, Merry," said Hodge. "What would -the Yale eleven do without you?" - -"They would get some other man equally as good," smiled Frank. - -"They couldn't!" cried Hodge, loyally. "That would be an impossibility!" - -"It can't be you really mean that, old man?" - -"Of course I do." - -"Then you are foolish. Why, Hodge, there are hundreds of men just as -good as yours truly. I know I am a good player, but I also know there -are others." - -It was nearly midnight when they left the car and started to walk the -short distance to the hotel. Frank led the way by a short cut through a -narrow street, which was rather dark and deserted. - -"There are not many fellows who would have done what you did to-night -for a girl who had treated them as Miss Darling treated you," said Bart. - -"Oh, I don't know! It seems to me that almost any fellow would have done -that." - -"Hegner was with her, but he did not lift a hand to save her." - -"It is plain he did not know what to do. He did not think quickly -enough." - -"That is just it, Merry. In any emergency you think of just the right -thing to do, and that is what makes you such a good man. I say Yale -can't afford to lose you from her eleven, and I hope you will not be -damaged so it will knock you out." - -At that instant five or six dark forms suddenly darted out from both -sides of the street and surrounded the boys. A voice snarled: - -"When we are through with him he'll be damaged so he won't play football -this season!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV--A FIGHT AGAINST ODDS - - -"Ambushed!" - -"Trapped!" - -Frank and Bart uttered the exclamations as those dark forms gathered -around them and they heard that snarling voice. - -At a glance they saw the faces of their assailants were hidden by -handkerchiefs which had been tied across them to their eyes, and one of -them had turned his coat wrong side out. - -The one with the turned coat seemed to be the leader of the party. - -"Get around them, fellows!" he ordered, sharply. "Don't let them skip!" - -"We're in for it!" grated Hodge. - -"It looks that way," admitted Frank. - -"We'll have to fight!" - -"Sure." - -In another moment they had placed themselves back to back, and were -ready to meet the assault of the young thugs of the street. - -"So you'll fight, will you?" grated the leader. "Well, you won't stand -much show with this crowd. We can knock the packing out of you in short -order." - -"Don't be so sure of that," said Frank, with that singular laugh which -Hodge knew indicated Merry was thoroughly aroused. "You may not find it. -such a snap." - -"We are three to your one." - -"Even then you are not so many." - -"The trouble with you is that you think yourself a great deal smarter -than you are. Well, you'll change your mind after this. To-morrow you'll -be in a hospital." - -"You may be in a coffin, my fine fellow." - -The masked ruffians had surrounded Frank and Bart, and were ready for -the attack. Their leader gave the word: - -"At 'em, boys! Hammer 'em! Knock 'em down and kick 'em!" - -Then the assault was made with a rush that was hard to withstand. For a -moment it seemed that Merry and Hodge would be swept off their feet, -overthrown, crushed. - -Hodge was a fighter. He had a temper like a cold chisel, and he did not -fear anything that walked. Frank knew the caliber of his Fardale chum, -and he was glad that Hodge happened to be with him. - -A big fellow got Bart by the throat, after Hodge had sent two others -reeling backward before cracking blows, and for some seconds it seemed -that Frank's friend would be overcome. - -But Bart broke the hold of his assailant, gave him a terrible jab in the -wind, and then smashed him under the ear, when he doubled over. That put -him out of the fight for a few moments at least. - -The others were ready to come at Bart again by this time. They were -cursing in a manner that told they were genuine toughs of the slums. - -"Kill der bloke!" snarled one. - -"Give it to him, Bill!" howled the other. - -"That's right!" cried Hodge fiercely. "Come right on and give it to me! -You'll find me here!" - -One of them succeeded in striking him a blow on the cheek that cut his -face and started the blood to flowing; but that did not daze Bart for a -second, and he got a kick at the ruffian that doubled him over and made -him gasp and groan. - -Frank could use his feet, as well as his hands. He had learned the trick -in France, where a style of boxing with the feet is taught. When a man -can strike and kick with equal skill he is a dangerous antagonist, and -it was not long before the ruffians found they had a Tartar in -Merriwell. - -Frank watched his chance and then tried to tear the handkerchief from -the face of the leader of the gang, but he failed in this, although he -knocked the fellow's hat from his head. - -"I know you just the same!" cried Merry. "You have proved to be just the -kind of a fellow I thought you were!" - -"You know too much!" the fellow flung back. "You won't know so much in a -few minutes!" - -One of the other ruffians came in on Frank, who made a feint to strike, -and then kicked him in the neck with such violence that he went down as -if he had been shot. He lay on the ground like a log, and it was plain -he had been knocked out. - -"Blazes!" howled one of the others. "He's knocked Shiner out!" - -"All I want is a good chance at you," laughed Merriwell. "You'll get the -same dose, my fine fellow!" - -"Hammer him--hammer him!" panted the leader. "Get in on him quick! We -must do this job before the police come!" - -He rushed at Frank, who attempted to kick him over, as he had the other -chap, but failed, for the fellow dodged. In a moment two of them were -pressing Frank close. - -"Here's where we do a little in-fighting," said Merry, as if he were -jubilant over the prospect. - -It was hot for some seconds, but it proved too hot for Merriwell's -assailants. Frank had a way of causing them to bother each other, and it -sometimes seemed that one could have done much better against him. - -But Frank was not to escape without a scratch. He was unable to watch -every enemy, and a blow on the ear made his head ring and staggered him. - -"Now we have him!" shouted the leader. - -They sprang upon him, and Frank found himself forced to his knees. - -"Down with him!" - -He fought them off, but they assailed him like furious tigers. He was -struck repeatedly while on his knees. - -It happened that Hodge had beaten off his foes for a moment, and he saw -Merry's peril. With a growl such as might have issued from the throat of -a wild beast, he whirled to aid his friend. - -Crack! crack!--with two blows Bart sent two fellows spinning, and then -he dragged Frank to his feet. - -"Much hurt?" he asked. - -"No, not a bit," was the cool answer. - -The ruffians were astounded by the fight made by the two fellows they -had expected to overcome with ease. They had never before struck -anything just like that, and, for a moment, they hesitated. - -The leader, however, was raving like a madman, made insanely furious by -the rebuff. - -"At 'em again! at 'em again!" he fumed. "I'll make it ten more each. Do -'em up some way!" - -A scornful laugh came from Frank. - -"So these are your hired bruisers, my fine chap!" he cried. "Well, they -are fit associates for a creature of your low instincts. It's a hundred -to one you land behind the bars with the rest of them." - -The fellow urged his satellites to a fresh attack, and they came at the -boys once more. The one Frank kicked had recovered and joined in the new -assault, although he took care not to get another one from Merry's feet, -for which he had a healthy respect. - -The fight was resumed with fresh vigor, but still Frank and Bart held -their own, for they had been given a few moments to recover their -breath. - -"Why, this is a regular cinch!" cried Frank as with a corking -left-hander he bowled one of the masked rascals over. "I haven't struck -so much sport as this in an age! Hit hard, Bart--hit hard!" - -No need to tell Hodge to hit hard; he was putting in his best licks, and -they were counting. Blood was running down his face, but he did not -realize he had been touched at all. - -Again Frank resorted to the use of his feet, and he sent one chap back -with a sharp kick in the middle, while another caught his heel on the -back. - -Then it was that one of the ruffians cried: - -"We can't do 'em without the others. Call the guards!" - -A shrill whistle cut the air, and it was answered from up and down the -street. - -"There are more coming, Bart!" cried Merriwell. "Put as many of these -fellows out of the game as you can before the others get here! This has -turned out to be a very warm evening!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV--MERRIWELL'S CLOSE CALL - - -Frank had quite forgotten his burned hands; there was no time to think -of them then. Had both arms been in splints, he would have tried to -defend himself just the same. - -Down the street came a running figure; up the street came another. They -were two of the gang, who had been set to watch for the approach of -officers. - -Although there were three of the ruffians to one of the boys they had -attacked, the gang had been forced to call on the watchers for -assistance! - -"What's the matter?" panted one, as he came up. "You're making an awful -racket! Can't you do them two stiffs?" - -"Get at 'em!" ordered the fellow whose coat was turned. "It'll take all -of us to do the job." - -"All of you may not be able to do it," cried Merry. - -But the two fellows who had been on guard were fresh, and they pitched -in fiercely. In a short time Bart and Frank found they were being -overpowered. They were blinded by blows and beaten breathless, but still -they fought. - -Hark! What was that? The sound of singing from a distance--the old, -familiar song: - - "Here's to good Old Yale--drink it down! - Here's to good Old Yale--drink it down! - Here's to good Old Yale, - She's so hearty and so hale-- - Drink it down! Drink it down! down! down!" - -From Frank Merriwell's lips pealed a wild cry--the Yale yell. It echoed -along the street, and the distant singing stopped. The cry was answered! - -"Help, fellows!" - -There was another answer, and soon running feet were heard. - -"A thousand furies!" snarled the leader of the ruffians. "Those other -fellows are coming!" - -Then he made a desperate lunge at Frank, who saw something bright -glitter in his fingers. Merriwell avoided the thrust, but heard a -cutting sound as the bright instrument slashed his coat. - -Frank knew the wretch had struck at him with an open knife, and again he -snatched for that handkerchief. This time he caught it and tore it from -the fellow's face. - -But the leader of the ruffians turned and ran like a deer. Merry would -have followed, but, in trying to do so, he stumbled over one of the gang -who had been knocked down. - -This fellow grappled with Frank, and then Mulloy, Diamond, Rattleton, -Gallup, Browning and Dunnerwust came running up. - -"Pwhat's this?" cried Barney, excitedly. "Is it a schrap, an' Oi not in -it? Did yez ivver see th' loikes av this!" - -"Wal, gol darn it all!" puffed Ephraim. "If this don't beat all natur! -Where's the rest of um?" - -"They ran when they heard you coming," said Frank; "but I have this chap -all right." - -"Shimminy Ghristmas!" gurgled Hans. "Uf I hadn't peen here before, dem -vellers vould peen licked britty queek, ain'd id! Ven I heard dem comin' -they all rund avay off. I pet your life dey known vot vas coot vor -mineseluf. Yaw!" - -"Blame the luck!" grunted Browning. "Think of running like that and then -arriving too late to get into the fight! It's disgusting!" - -"Who were they, Frank?" asked Diamond. - -"I think I know the leader, and I have the handkerchief he had tied over -his face. As for this fellow---- No, you don't!" - -The one Merry was holding made a desperate attempt to break away, but -was prevented. - -And, now the fight was over, a policeman approached, saw the crowd, and -rapped a call for assistance. Within a minute three officers were on the -spot. - -Frank and Bart told their story. At first the officers were inclined to -discredit it, thinking there had been a street row among those found -there by them, but when they saw Merriwell's captive and obtained a good -look at the fellow's face one of them cried: - -"It's Shiner Gregg! He belongs to the Stone Alley gang." - -Then Frank showed where his coat had been slit open by a knife, told -where he was stopping, and satisfied the officers that he was telling -nothing but the truth. - -Two of the officers took Shiner Gregg to a police station, while another -accompanied the boys to the hotel, where he satisfied himself that they -had told the truth, and made Merriwell and Hodge promise to appear -against Gregg. - -After washing up, Frank and Bart found they were not severely scarred; -but that it had been a close call for Merry was made evident by the -slash in his coat. - -"Well," said Frank, as he held up the coat and looked at it ruefully, -"that finished your career, but you did one good job to-night. You -smothered the fire that would have burned a very saucy and very -attractive young lady. I think I will keep you as a reminder of the -occasion." - -"It's fortunate we were out strolling around after leaving the theatre," -said Rattleton. "We were feeling rather gay, and did not seem to want to -turn in so early." - -"New Yorkers say Philadelphia is slow," grunted Browning; "but I'll be -hanged if it doesn't seem to be a hot town! I think New Yorkers are sore -on the place." - -"Slow," drawled Ephraim Gallup, with a queer twist of his homely face. -"Thutteration! There's more goin' on here than there ever was araound -aour taown up in Varmont, an' we uster think that was purty gosh-darn -lively sometimes. Once we had a dorg fight, a thunderstorm an' Jeduthin -Blodgett's chimbney burnt aout, all in one afternoon, an' I tell yeou -things was all fired lively up raound them diggin's. But I swan -Philadelfy has more goin' on than that 'most any day but Sunday." - -Some of the boys laughed at this, but Hans stared at Ephraim in a -bewildered way. - -"Dot must peen a lifely down," he said. "Uf you vos to life there a -great vile I oxbect id vould turn my hair gray." - -For a long time the boys talked over the street encounter, and then -Frank produced the handkerchief he had snatched from the face of the -leader of the ruffians. After looking it over carefully he uttered an -exclamation. - -"What is it, Merry?" asked Rattleton. - -"I have made a discovery," said Merriwell, with a look of satisfaction, -as he restored the handkerchief to his pocket. - -"What sort of a discovery?" - -"One that may prove of great importance." - -"Don't be so mysterious about it," urged Diamond. "Tell us what you have -discovered." - -"Wait," said Frank. "I will tell you later." - -"Do you think you know any of the ruffians who assaulted you besides the -one caught?" - -"I fancy so. Let's go to bed now. We can talk this over to-morrow." - -Frank went to bed and slept as well as if nothing serious had happened. - -This was not the case with Hodge. His blood had not cooled, and he -turned, twisted, muttered and grated his teeth in his sleep. Diamond, -who slept with him, got out of bed, went into the room where Hans and -Ephraim were sleeping together, awoke the Dutch boy, and sternly ordered -him to go into the other room and sleep with Hodge. - -Dunnerwust protested some, but as he was stupefied with sleep and being -somewhat afraid of the Virginian, he finally obeyed. - -Toward morning there was a wild outcry in that room, a thump on the -floor and sounds of a struggle. Then Hans was heard calling: - -"Hellup! hellup! Somepody gome und took him off! Uf you don'd gome und -done dot britty queek he peen sure to kilt himseluf! Hellup! Fire!" - -Several of the boys rushed into the room, and when they turned on the -light, an astonishing spectacle was revealed. - -Hans and Bart were struggling on the floor, all tangled up in the -clothes they had dragged from the bed. Hodge was striking out wildly, -muttering: - -"Come on! come on! We are enough for you! Three to one is small odds! -Back to back, Merry! We'll fight as long as we can stand! They can't -lick us! They never could lick us at Fardale, Merry!" - -One of his fists landed on the Dutch boy's ear, and Hans squawked louder -than ever. - -"Hoch, I peen gone grazy!" he cried. "Took him off I toldt you! Uf you -don'd took him off he vill kilt mineseluf! Murter! Id hurts heem ven he -hits me dot vay!" - -Frank and Jack grasped them and dragged them apart, but Hodge turned on -Diamond and gave him a crack that sent him up against the wall. - -"Come on, the whole of you!" he shouted. "You can't do us up! Give it to -them, Merry!" - -Hans broke away and tried to crawl under the bed, wildly crying: - -"Oxcuse me vile I look vor my vatch! Id might step on somepody uf I -don'd took care uf id." - -Merriwell made a leap and caught hold of Hodge, whom he ran up against -the wall, where he held him, speaking sharply: - -"Steady, Bart, old man! It's all over! We have cleaned out the whole -gang." - -Bart struggled a moment, and then a wondering light came into his eyes, -which had been wide open and staring all the while. His hands dropped at -his sides, and he ceased to struggle. - -"What's the matter?" he faintly asked. - -"You have had a rather lively touch of nightmare," explained Merry. - -"Nighdtmares!" cried Hans from under the bed, in a smothered voice. "Uf -he didn'd haf a whole heardt of vild hosses you vos a liar!" - -The racket had aroused a number of guests, and the night watchman and -two bellboys appeared. It took considerable smooth talk from Frank to -convince them that murder had not been attempted in that room, but the -curious ones departed at last, although there were mutterings of -"disgraceful," "an outrage" and "ought to be fired." - -Frank laughed when it was all over. - -"We'll be lucky if we are not fired in the morning," he said. - -Hans refused to go to bed with Bart again, when he had been dragged from -beneath the bed. - -"Uf I done dot, you vos a fool!" he squealed. "I vould peen in dancher -uf killin' me pefore der mornings! Shack Tiamon', you haf no peesness to -done notthing like dot! Id vos an imbosition on me, und you von't stood -id!" - -So Diamond was obliged to sleep with Bart, but Hodge did not create any -further disturbance. The remainder of the night passed quietly enough. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI--AN EXPLOSION COMING - - -When Bart and Frank presented themselves at the police court on the -following day to testify against Shiner Gregg, the judge took them into -a private room and heard the story they had to tell, after which he -said: - -"I am going to hold this Gregg a day or two for a purpose before I give -him a trial. The police are looking for some information they believed -the prisoner could give them, and they proposed to 'put on the screws.'" - -Frank and Bart assured the judge that they would remain in Philadelphia -four days and could be found at the Continental when wanted. Then they -were allowed to depart. - -Immediately after lunch Merriwell started for Charlie Creighton's, -feeling a strong anxiety to know how severely Fanny Darling had been -burned. - -As for Merriwell, he was astonished to find he had not been seriously -injured by the fire. The prompt attention given his hands by the doctor -had saved them from blistering, and, although they were red and tender, -they promised to be all right in a day or two. He had them done up -again, and was advised to keep the air from them as much as possible -till the following day. - -Creighton and his sister were at home, and they welcomed Frank warmly. - -"I called at the Continental this forenoon to see you," said Charlie; -"but you and Hodge were out. However, the fellows told me your hands -seemed much better than you had expected they would be." - -"Yes," nodded Frank; "they seem to be coming out all right. The stuff -the doctor put on them appears to have worked marvels." - -"I am so glad!" exclaimed Mabel. "It seemed terrible to think you might -be hurt so you could not play football this fall, for Charlie says Yale -could not get along without you." - -"Creighton is too kind!" exclaimed Frank. "He overestimates my -abilities. But I wish to ask about Miss Darling. Have you heard from her -to-day?" - -"Yes, I have seen her. One of her arms is quite severely burned, but -that seems to be all. She says she will be all right in two or three -days, at most." - -"I am very glad to hear that, for I feared her burns might be more -severe than was supposed at first. I reached her as soon as possible -after she screamed." - -"It's amazing to me that you reached her as quickly as you did," -declared Charlie. "Wallace Hegner was with her, and he did not find an -opportunity to lift his hand to help her." - -"He acted like a coward!" exclaimed Mabel, her eyes flashing. "He -retreated from her, and he has been rewarded for his pusillanimous act." - -"Rewarded--how?" - -"When he tried to see her last evening after her burns had been -attended, she refused to have anything to say to him, and she says -she'll never speak to him again." - -"Well," said Merry, slowly, "I don't know but that fire was a good thing -if it has opened her eyes to Hegner's true character." - -Creighton flushed and looked abashed, whereupon Frank quickly cried: - -"I beg your pardon, old man! I made a break then, for I forgot you -introduced us." - -"It's all right," declared Creighton; "and it is my place to beg your -pardon for the introduction; but I assure you that I did not dream -Hegner was the fellow he has since proved to be. If I had----Well, I -scarcely think you would have met him at my home, and I am sure you will -not see him here again. You have done considerable to show him up, -and----" - -"I may do more." - -"More? How?" - -"I cannot explain just now, but I am not through with Mr. Hegner. -Yesterday I struck him with a boxing glove. The next time I strike it -will be a far more severe blow, and I shall not use my hands." - -"That sounds queer from you, Merriwell. At college you have been -considered altogether too kind to your enemies." - -"I am ready to be easy with an enemy who shows any redeeming features, -and I am aware that a fellow may dislike me and still be a good fellow -at heart. Such things happen. I have my own failings, and I believe in -doing by others as I would that they should do by me. But a fellow like -this Hegner--well, I doubt if he has a single redeeming trait, and I -consider it my duty to expose him as far as possible. That's all." - -Mabel was regarding Frank admiringly, and she was thinking that he could -be stern and unrelenting if the occasion demanded, although he was -naturally generous and forgiving. - -After a little, Merriwell told of his street encounter of the previous -evening, and his hearers listened with breathless interest. - -"Great Scott!" cried Charlie. "You must have had a close call! And you -think the object was not robbery?" - -"I am sure it was not." - -"Then the gang must have attacked you with the sole object of doing you -up." - -"That's right." - -"And you think you know one of them?" - -"Yes." - -"Who was it?" - -"That is something I will tell you later. Shiner Gregg may be induced to -squeal. Look out for an explosion, Creighton. It is coming." - -Two days later, while walking along one of Philadelphia's principal -streets, Merriwell noticed a fellow who was blocking the path of a girl -with his person and speaking to her excitedly, although she was trying -to pass to reach a carriage that stood at the curb. - -"It's Hegner!" muttered Frank. "And the girl is--Fanny Darling! She is -trying to avoid him, and the rascal is---- Confound him!" - -The exclamation escaped Frank's lips as he saw Wallace Hegner grasp the -girl by the wrist, lean forward and hiss something in her ear. - -Frank made a spring, and as he came forward, Hegner happened to turn his -head slightly and see him. The girl also saw him, and a look of relief -came over her face. - -Hegner scowled blackly and hesitated, then he dropped Fanny's wrist and -hurried away. - -Merriwell was tempted to follow him, but Fanny called to him, and he -stopped. As he did so, lifting his hat with a graceful movement that was -natural for him, her face, pale a moment before, grew crimson. - -But she did not hesitate; immediately she came forward and held out her -hand, saying: - -"Mr. Merriwell, I said I would ask your pardon on my knees, but I can't -do it here in the street, and so perhaps you will not expect it." - -"Well, hardly!" laughed Frank. "I don't know why you should ask my -pardon at all." - -"I do! I ask it now, Mr. Merriwell! You were a gentleman, and I know I -was not a lady. Oh, I have been so ashamed of myself when I thought it -all over and realized what sort of an opinion you must have formed of -me!" - -"Miss Darling!" - -"And I am trying to leave off slang, although I will make a break -occasionally--there! I want to thank you for the heroic manner in which -you came to my rescue when my clothes were on fire." - -"I am afraid you make too much of that. I fail to see where the heroism -came in." - -"That--that fellow you just drove away did not make a move to help me, -and he was the nearest of anybody! I don't care, it was heroic of you!" - -"All right," smiled Frank; "if you are determined to have it that way, -I'll have to let you regard me as a hero." - -She looked him straight in the eyes, and softly said: - -"I do!" - -After a moment, her eyes drooped before his steady gaze, and he saw she -had long lashes that almost touched her cheeks. - -"Mr. Merriwell." - -"Yes, Miss Darling." - -"I am afraid it may seem bold, and I know you think me far too forward -now----" - -"No, no--I protest!" - -"I can't help it if you do think so. I can't be strictly conventional at -all times. We are standing in the street, where we must attract more or -less notice. There is my carriage. Will you ride with me?" - -"With pleasure." - -The footman in livery held open the door for them to enter, and then -that door closed behind them. The dignified footman ascended to his -seat, and the coachman started up the horses. The closed carriage rolled -away. - -For some moments Frank and Fanny were silent, both seeming embarrassed. -At last, he asked her about the burns she had received, and they chatted -in a commonplace way for some time. - -"Do you know," he said, "when I heard you scream that night and saw the -fire, my heart nearly leaped out of my mouth. I was afraid I could not -reach you in time to keep the fire from your face and neck." - -"What if you hadn't! I'm not a raving beauty now, and it would not have -damaged my looks very much." - -"Don't say that, Miss Darling! It would have been terrible! And you are -pretty! I am sincere!" - -She gasped for breath. - -"Really--really, Mr. Merriwell! It's impossible! Why, there is Mabel!" - -"I know. She is charming, but to my eyes, you are far prettier. Don't -think I am trying taffy, for I give you my word, Miss Darling, that I am -not." - -"Why, I--I thought you were dead stuck on Mabel!" cried the wondering -girl. - -"Not that. I like her, and she has treated me very nicely." - -"Yes, far better than I have; but that night, after you had saved me, I -heard the doctor say, that if you did not save my life, at least you had -prevented my frightful disfigurement. Oh, you will never know the -sensation that came over me then! Such a sense of shame, for I thought -how I had treated you. But--but I want to tell you something now, Mr. -Merriwell. It is awfully hard for me to say, but I must say it. I did -not treat you that way because I disliked you. No! no! no! It was for -just the other reason. I liked you too well--there! I thought you did -not care anything for me and was all taken up with Mabel, so I tried to -get a dab at you every time I could. It was mean--I know it! I didn't -expect you to forgive me, for I am sure I did not deserve it. And then, -after all the mean things I had done, you passed all those near me when -I was in danger and saved me! I could have died from shame!" - -She was sobbing now, although fighting back the tears. He did his best -to soothe her, and succeeded very well. - -"I think we understand each other very well now," he said. - -The closed carriage rolled on. The coachman pulled down the horses to a -slower pace, as if he knew there was no need to hurry. The footman sat -up very straight, with folded arms and solemn, dignified countenance, as -if such a thing as curiosity had never entered his heart, and he had no -thought of the young couple within the carriage. - -Yes, they understood each other very well at last. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII--THE LAST BLOW--CONCLUSION - - -The gymnasium of the Olympic Athletic Club was crowded. There were seats -all around the room, and a roped-off ring in the center. A referee and -two judges had been chosen. Hank Burk's second was Wallace Hegner, his -trainer. Tom Jackson had a second who seemed to know his business. - -The excitement was at fever heat, for the great match was about to -begin. The principals came out and entered the ring, accompanied by -their seconds. They wore bath robes, which were soon flung aside. Then -the spectators cheered as they saw the two lads stripped to the waist. - -On choice by lot the Olympic had secured the bout for themselves; but -the guests of the Fairmount were admitted, so all of Frank Merriwell's -friends were there. - -But Frank--where was he? - -"I can't understand it," declared Diamond. "It is most remarkable that -he should not be here. I didn't suppose anything could keep him from -this mill." - -Hodge looked worried. - -"He will be here," Bart declared. "You know he has promised a sensation, -but I'm afraid he failed in securing the evidence he needs." - -Tang!--the gong sounded. - -Burk and Jackson advanced to shake hands. - -Then it was that Frank came hustling into the room, looking flushed but -triumphant. Hurrying to the ringside, he turned to the spectators and -cried: - -"This match must be stopped five minutes! I have something to tell you -before it goes on!" - -There was a murmur of astonishment and disapproval. The audience, their -nerves tingling with the desire to see the boxers go at each other, were -angered by the interruption. - -"You can tell it afterward," cried a voice. - -"No!" came firmly from Frank. "It must be told now, for it concerns this -match. I know you all want to see fair play--with a very few exceptions. -I tell you now that there is a job here, and I can prove it! This match -is fixed!" - -What a stir that created! For some moments it seemed that there would be -a riot, but the excited spectators cooled down at last, although a dozen -voices demanded the proof. - -In the ring Hank Burk and Tom Jackson looked at each other in a startled -way, while Wallace Hegner's face grew pale. - -"What does he know?" asked Burk in a whisper. - -"He can't know anything," said Jackson. "He is putting up a bluff." - -Hegner found his voice and demanded that Merriwell be removed from the -room. But it was too late, as he soon saw, for the young fellows who had -heard his assertion were eager to hear more. - -"I know you do not permit betting," Frank cried; "but there has been -betting on this match. Large sums of money have been staked on the -result, but a most surprising fact is that the principal backer of -Jackson--the one who has furnished most of the money bet on him is the -trainer of Burk, Mr. Wallace Hegner!" - -Hegner gave a howl and made a rush for Frank, but Bruce Browning was on -hand and interposed his massive form, grasping the furious lad by the -collar and holding him helpless. - -"I will tell you how I know this," Frank went on, speaking swiftly. -"This Hegner has a grudge against me, and, with several of his friends, -a gang of thugs, he attacked me the other night. In the fight I secured -a handkerchief marked with his initials, and he came very near getting a -knife into me. One of the gang was captured, a fellow known as Shiner -Gregg. The police have been wanting to get hold of Gregg for some time, -and when he fell into their hands they 'put on the screws.' As a result -of the squeezing the fellow has confessed everything. He told how Mr. -Hegner obtained his money to stake on this crooked match. Two weeks ago -the jewelry store of Isaac Rosenfeld was entered and robbed. Gregg says -Hegner planned the robbery and was one of the four concerned in it." - -"It's a lie--a downright lie!" screamed Hegner, struggling to reach -Frank. "Let me get at him! I will kill him!" - -"It is the confession of Shiner Gregg," said Frank. "He says this match -was fixed--that Jackson would win, and Burk would receive good pay for -flunking. Here is the proof that I have spoken the truth." - -He whistled, and into the room came six uniformed policemen. They -quickly reached the ring, and Hegner, who had fought like a tiger to -break from Browning, was collared, handcuffed and taken in charge. - -By this time, in some mysterious manner, Burk and Jackson had -disappeared. The spectators were furious. They talked of tar and -feathers. - -Wallace Hegner, limp, white and crushed, was marched away between the -officers. As he passed Merriwell he lifted his eyes, but they fell -instantly, and his appearance was that of a whipped cur. - -Frank's second blow had been a knockout. - - -Hegner was held for the Grand Jury, tried and convicted, for -overwhelming evidence against him was obtained. As it seemed to have -been his first offense, he was given a comparatively light sentence. - -Frank pitied the fellow at last, for all the heart and life seemed gone -out of him. Never before had Frank struck an enemy such a blow as that. - -Burk and Jackson escaped from the Olympic with a portion of their -clothes, and they took care to keep in hiding for a long time after -that. - -It was suspected that the judge had been tampered with, but this was -never proved. That several of the Olympic men knew all about the game -was certain, but Jackson and one other were the only ones expelled from -the club. - -Before leaving Philadelphia Frank Merriwell and his party attended a -banquet given in their honor by the Fairmount Club. It was a jolly -affair, for young lady guests were present and everything passed off -finely. - -There were speeches and toasts, and the mention of Merriwell's name -always brought a tumultuous burst of applause. - -A gay time was had for two days more in Philadelphia, their new-found -friends doing everything possible to make the visit a pleasant one. - -From the South came news that Harlow had escaped from jail by striking -down a keeper. But he had been hit in the head with a club later on, and -was now in the hospital. - -"He won't come to trial just yet," said Frank. "And perhaps it is just -as well." - -"And now for Yale!" cried Jack. "Hurrah for old Eli!" - -"So say we all of us!" shouted Harry. - -And then a roar went up in which all of their new-found friends joined: - -"Hurrah for old Eli! Hurrah for the brave boys of the Yale Combine!" - - THE END. - - -No. 20. of the _Merriwell Series_, entitled "Frank Merriwell's Return to -Yale," gives an account of games, sports, and pastimes, work and study, -in all of which Frank shines conspicuously, and retains the admiration -of all his old friends. - - - - -BUFFALO BILL BORDER STORIES - -The Career of the King of Scouts - -Your Dealer Has Them! - -Western Adventure. Without a Dull Line. Every Man Wants Them. - -Since the Ladies' Home Journal began the publication of the personal -history of William F. Cody, or, as he was better known, Buffalo Bill, -that famous old-time scout and plainsman has assumed a new importance in -the eyes of Americans. For many years we have been telling the American -reading public that no more interesting, native character ever lived. -The stories of his adventures as narrated by his friend and chum, -Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, are mostly facts, but they are written with -such engaging interest that it is impossible to tell where the fact -leaves off and fiction begins. Buffalo Bill was a truly great character. -Prentiss Ingraham is truly great as an author and between the two they -make the books in this line well worth the while of any American who -wants to know something of the wild life on the rolling prairies of the -Far West. - -ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT - - 1--Buffalo Bill, the Border King - 2--Buffalo Bill's Raid - 3--Buffalo Bill's Bravery - 4--Buffalo Bill's Trump Card - 5--Buffalo Bill's Pledge - 6--Buffalo Bill's Vengeance - 7--Buffalo Bill's Iron Grip - 8--Buffalo Bill's Capture - 9--Buffalo Bill's Danger Line - 10--Buffalo Bill's Comrades - 11--Buffalo Bill's Reckoning - 12--Buffalo Bill's Warning - 13--Buffalo Bill at Bay - 14--Buffalo Bill's Buckskin Pards - 15--Buffalo Bill's Brand - 16--Buffalo Bill's Honor - 17--Buffalo Bill's Phantom Hunt - 18--Buffalo Bill's Fight With Fire - 19--Buffalo Bill's Danite Trail - 20--Buffalo Bill's Ranch Riders - 21--Buffalo Bill's Death Trail - 22--Buffalo Bill's Trackers - 23--Buffalo Bill's Mid-air Flight - 24--Buffalo Bill, Ambassador - 25--Buffalo Bill's Air Voyage - 26--Buffalo Bill's Secret Mission - 27--Buffalo Bill's Long Trail - 28--Buffalo Bill Against Odds - 29--Buffalo Bill's Hot Chase - 30--Buffalo Bill's Redskin Ally - 31--Buffalo Bill's Treasure Trove - 32--Buffalo Bill's Hidden Foes - 33--Buffalo Bill's Crack Shot - 34--Buffalo Bill's Close Call - 35--Buffalo Bill's Double Surprise - 36--Buffalo Bill's Ambush - 37--Buffalo Bill's Outlaw Hunt - 38--Buffalo Bill's Border Duel - 39--Buffalo Bill's Bid for Fame - 40--Buffalo Bill's Triumph - 41--Buffalo Bill's Spy Trailer - 42--Buffalo Bill's Death Call - 43--Buffalo Bill's Body Guard - 44--Buffalo Bill's Still Hunt - 45--Buffalo Bill and the Doomed Dozen - 46--Buffalo Bill's Prairie Scout - 47--Buffalo Bill's Traitor Guide - 48--Buffalo Bill's Bonanza - 49--Buffalo Bill's Swoop - 50--Buffalo Bill and the Gold King - 51--Buffalo Bill's Deadshot - 52--Buffalo Bill's Buckskin Bravos - 53--Buffalo Bill's Big Four - 54--Buffalo Bill's One-armed Pard - 55--Buffalo Bill's Race for Life - 56--Buffalo Bill's Return - 57--Buffalo Bill's Conquest - 58--Buffalo Bill to the Rescue - 59--Buffalo Bill's Beautiful Foe - 60--Buffalo Bill's Perilous Task - 61--Buffalo Bill's Queer Find - 62--Buffalo Bill's Blind Lead - 63--Buffalo Bill's Resolution - 64--Buffalo Bill, the Avenger - 65--Buffalo Bill's Pledged Pard - 66--Buffalo Bill's Weird Warning - 67--Buffalo Bill's Wild Ride - 68--Buffalo Bill's Redskin Stampede - 69--Buffalo Bill's Mine Mystery - 70--Buffalo Bill's Gold Hunt - 71--Buffalo Bill's Daring Dash - 72--Buffalo Bill on Hand - 73--Buffalo Bill's Alliance - 74--Buffalo Bill's Relentless Foe - 75--Buffalo Bill's Midnight Ride - 76--Buffalo Bill's Chivalry - 77--Buffalo Bill's Girl Pard - 78--Buffalo Bill's Private War - 79--Buffalo Bill's Diamond Mine - 80--Buffalo Bill's Big Contract - 81--Buffalo Bill's Woman Foe - 82--Buffalo Bill's Ruse - 83--Buffalo Bill's Pursuit - 84--Buffalo Bill's Hidden Gold - 85--Buffalo Bill in Mid-air - 86--Buffalo Bill's Queer Mission - 87--Buffalo Bill's Verdict - 88--Buffalo Bill's Ordeal - 89--Buffalo Bill's Camp Fires - 90--Buffalo Bill's Iron Nerve - 91--Buffalo Bill's Rival - 92--Buffalo Bill's Lone Hand - 93--Buffalo Bill's Sacrifice - 94--Buffalo Bill's Thunderbolt - 95--Buffalo Bill's Black Fortune - 96--Buffalo Bill's Wild Work - 97--Buffalo Bill's Yellow Trail - 98--Buffalo Bill's Treasure Train - 99--Buffalo Bill's Bowie Duel - 100--Buffalo Bill's Mystery Man - 101--Buffalo Bill's Bold Play - 102--Buffalo Bill: Peacemaker - 103--Buffalo Bill's Big Surprise - 104--Buffalo Bill's Barricade - 105--Buffalo Bill's Test - 106--Buffalo Bill's Powwow - 107--Buffalo Bill's Stern Justice - 108--Buffalo Bill's Mysterious Friend - -To Be Published in June, 1921. - - 109--Buffalo Bill and the Boomers - 110--Buffalo Bill's Panther Fight - 111--Buffalo Bill and the Overland Mail - -BUFFALO BILL BORDER STORIES - -To Be Published in July, 1921. - - 112--Buffalo Bill on the Deadwood Trail - 113--Buffalo Bill in Apache Land - -To Be Published in August, 1921. - - 114--Buffalo Bill's Blindfold Duel - 115--Buffalo Bill and the Lone Camper - 116--Buffalo Bill's Merry War - -To Be Published in September, 1921. - - 117--Buffalo Bill's Star Play - 118--Buffalo Bill's War Cry - -To Be Published in October, 1921. - - 119--Buffalo Bill on Black Panther's Trail - 120--Buffalo Bill's Slim Chance - -To Be Published in November, 1921. - - 121--Buffalo Bill Besieged - -In order that there may be no confusion, we desire to say that the books -listed above, will be issued, during the respective months, in New York -City and vicinity. They may not reach the readers, at a distance, -promptly, on account of delays in transportation. - - -HORATIO ALGER, JR. - -Is the favorite writer of a million boys. Do you realize what this -means? His stories are good! - - - - -MERRIWELL SERIES - -Stories of Frank and Dick Merriwell - -YOUR DEALER HAS THEM! - -Handsome Colored Covers--Stories of Generous Length - -For three generations, the adventures of the Merriwell brothers have -proven an inspiration to countless thousands of American boys. - -Frank and Dick are lads of high ideals, and the examples they set in -dealing with their parents, their friends, and especially their enemies, -are sure to make better boys of their readers. - -These stories teem with fun and adventure in all branches of sports and -athletics. They are just what every red-blooded American boy wants to -read--they are what he must read to develop into a manly, upright man. - -ALL TITLES ALWAYS IN PRINT - - 1--Frank Merriwell's School Days - 2--Frank Merriwell's Chums - 3--Frank Merriwell's Foes - 4--Frank Merriwell's Trip West - 5--Frank Merriwell Down South - 6--Frank Merriwell's Bravery - 7--Frank Merriwell's Hunting Tour - 8--Frank Merriwell in Europe - 9--Frank Merriwell at Yale - 10--Frank Merriwell's Sports Afield - 11--Frank Merriwell's Races - -To Be Published in June, 1921. - - 12--Frank Merriwell's Party - 13--Frank Merriwell's Bicycle Tour - -To Be Published in July, 1921. - - 14--Frank Merriwell's Courage - 15--Frank Merriwell's Daring - -To Be Published in August, 1921. - - 16--Frank Merriwell's Alarm - 17--Frank Merriwell's Athletes - 18--Frank Merriwell's Skill - -To Be Published in September, 1921. - - 19--Frank Merriwell's Champions - 20--Frank Merriwell's Return to Yale - -To Be Published in October, 1921. - - 21--Frank Merriwell's Secret - 22--Frank Merriwell's Danger - -To Be Published in November, 1921. - - 23--Frank Merriwell's Loyalty - 24--Frank Merriwell in Camp - -To Be Published in December, 1921. - - 25--Frank Merriwell's Vacation - 26--Frank Merriwell's Cruise - -In order that there may be no confusion, we desire to say that the books -listed above will be issued, during the respective months, in New York -City and vicinity. They may not reach the readers, at a distance -promptly on account of delays in transportation. - - - MARY J. HOLMES - CHARLES GARVICE - MAY AGNES FLEMING - MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON - -Four authors enshrined in the heart of every reader of fiction in -America. See the list of their works in the NEW EAGLE SERIES. - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK MERRIWELL'S CHAMPIONS *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42049 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. 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