"Are you hurt?" asked Browning.
"No," panted Frank, who could dimly see his opponent through a thick haze which seemed to hang before his eyes.
"Then why don't you get up?"
"I—I'm going to."
Setting his teeth, he did so, but Rattleton caught Browning by the collar and flung him aside as the big soph sprang at Frank.
"You are hurt, old man!" insisted Harry. "I saw the fellow when he tripped you. It wasn't a fair thing. You are in no condition to meet Browning now. Wait till you get your wind."
"I must meet him!" cried Frank. "He'll say he did me up if I do not."
"Then he'll lie. It's all right. You do as I say."
Frank tried to resist, but Rattleton dragged him aside, being able to do so because Browning found himself occupied by a little freshman who stuffily blocked his way, declaring that Merriwell should have a show.
Frank was more than disgusted by the result of the affair. He felt that he must have it out with Browning then and there, and he made desperate attempts to break from Harry. Ordinarily he would have succeeded with the greatest ease, but the fall had robbed him of his strength.