But Bart had made a miscalculation, for Gentle Bob had not come alone to the saloon, having noted well[Pg 221] that Frank Merriwell had a friend. He had picked up a chap of his own sort, and now this fellow had a gun at Bart's head.
"You're the one who'll lose the ruff o' his head!" he said. "You put up your gun!"
Gentle Bob still sat pistol in hand, but Boxer had taken advantage of an opportunity to drop down from the bench to the floor.
Of a sudden there came a wild yell from Bob, who kicked out with his feet and flung himself backward, his pistol being discharged straight up at the ceiling.
Boxer had seized him by the leg beneath the table.
Instantly there was a fearful uproar in the saloon. The action of the dog had disconcerted the plans of every one. Hodge ducked and whirled, catching the ruffian at his back a fearful blow on the solar plexus that drove him slam against the bar, and he went down and "out."
Merry went across the table in a leap at Gentle Bob, from whom he tore the revolver that the fellow was trying to use on Boxer.
"Let up, boy," said Frank to the dog. "I'll attend to his case."
Boxer seemed reluctant to let go, but he did so at the second command.
Merriwell pinned Bob down and deftly disarmed him, removing every weapon, which he passed over to Schlitzenheimer.