Old John gave a gasp of astonishment. With the exception of Smart, Dick’s friends laughed. Ted pretended to shed tears.
Jack Cole came up with a spring, and lost no time in getting at it again.
And now Henry Duncan noted that, although Cole was breathing quite heavily, Merriwell seemed perfectly fresh and unwinded.
“Your friend has the staying power,” he remarked to Brad.
The Texan smiled.
“You bet your boots!” he nodded. “That’s the way he wins out. He never quits.”
By this time old John Cole was greatly excited. He pranced this way and that, calling to his son and urging him on.
“Never touched yer, boy!” he shouted. “He can’t jar you that way!”
Faster and more furious became the encounter. Cole swung repeatedly with his left, trying to get in a telling blow. Once he brushed Dick’s cheek, and once he landed on Merriwell’s chest. In return he was hit repeatedly, but did not seem to mind it.
“I will git yer before I’m done!” he hissed. “I’ll put yer out of business!”