“Strong as a bull!”
“Full of slick tricks!”
The astonishment of Madison’s friends was somewhat ludicrous. They had expected the bully to handle the clean, quiet young man with perfect ease, especially when he seemed to obtain such a great advantage by seizing Merry from the rear.
Madison’s arm had been given a severe wrench, but the fellow rose quickly, not yet subdued or satisfied.
“I ain’t done with ye,” he snarled; “I ain’t done yet!”
“That’s unfortunate—for you,” declared Frank, wholly undisturbed.
“I’ll kill ye yet!”
“You frighten me.”
But the tone of voice in which Merriwell spoke the words told he was not frightened in the least.
Madison was breathing heavily, his huge breast heaving, as he rose and confronted Frank. With his hands hanging at his sides, the young man who had twice taken a fall out of the bully seemed utterly off his guard and unable to defend himself quickly.