The cowboy seemed to doubt the evidence of his senses. Was it possible this tenderfoot dared face him—dared touch him? With a sudden wrench he attempted to break from Frank, but, to his surprise, the young Yale athlete gave his wrist a twist, snapping the revolver from his fingers, and, almost at the same instant, snatched the other weapon from its holster.
“These are not suitable for a careless man to handle,” said Merry, as he flung them far out upon the grass.
For a single instant Indian Charlie was dazed. How the trick had been accomplished by this smooth-faced youth he could not conceive, and it filled him with wonder.
That passed in a moment, and he was like a furious tiger, his white teeth gleaming beneath his black mustache.
“That settles you!” he snarled.
He attempted to clutch Frank by the throat, but his hands were brushed aside, and again Merry warned him to go slow and easy.
“There are ladies present,” Frank said. “Have some regard for them, sir. If you wish to settle——”
But the man had quite lost his self-possession, and he struck at Frank in a wicked manner.
The blow was parried with ease.
An instant later Indian Charlie was stretched upon the veranda.