Frank sprang to the open door, Boxer barking at his heels, and Hodge was not slow in following.
The cry had issued from the lips of June Arlington, who was then on her way to the post-office to mail the letter she had written, not wishing her mother to see it.
June had arrived in the vicinity of the saloon as Gentle Bob was turning away. She noted that the man's face was cut and bruised and one eye was swollen. His appearance led her to look at him with something[Pg 225] like sympathy, when, of a sudden, he turned on her, smiling evilly, and seized her arm.
"Derned ef you ain't a right peert gal!" said the fellow insolently. "Gimme a kiss, sweetness."
Then June screamed and tried to break away, striking at him with her clenched fist. She was frightened and angry.
"Stop yer squarmin'!" snarled the fellow, who had thought to kiss her quickly before she could make much resistance, and then hasten along, it being his intention to boast of what he had done.
But June would not stop. She saw a tall, athletic young man come bounding through an open doorway into the street, followed closely by a dog and another young man. Her eyes recognized the one in advance, and she cried out:
"Mr. Merriwell, help—help, quick!"
With a growl of rage, Gentle Bob released her and turned. As he did so, the dog, terrible in his fury, shot past Frank, and made a great spring through the air straight at Bob's throat.
Bob threw up his arm, and the teeth of the dog fastened on it. The force of the creature's leap hurled the ruffian backward.