Bob did not hesitate. Ruffian and desperado though he was reputed to be, he cast himself on his knees before June and humbly begged her pardon, all the while watching Boxer, who glared back at him and licked his chops.
"Get up and go, you pitiful coward!" said Frank. "Keep out of my sight while I'm in town, and be careful not to try any dirty tricks. If you hurt me, Boxer will eat you up; if you hurt Boxer, I'll have your life! Go!"
The wretch lost not a moment in getting away.
Frank stooped and picked up the letter June had dropped. He was restoring it to her when his eye[Pg 227] caught the address upon it, and he stared in astonishment.
"Mr. Richard Merriwell,
"Fardale."
That was the name and address he read. Then he looked closely at June and recognized her.
"Miss Arlington?" he exclaimed, his hat in his hand; "is it possible?"
The color was coming back into her cheeks.
"Mr. Merriwell," she said, "let me thank you for coming so quickly to my assistance."
"It was Boxer who got there first. But I'm amazed to see you here—here in Arizona."