“Sure thing!”
“Sam’s met his match!”
“You bet!”
“That’s Frank Merriwell!” cried one of the boys of the town. “If you fellers have ever heard of him, you oughter know he can do up all the Hookers in Missouri! He’s a honey cooler!”
Joe Hooker was dazed, for up to this meeting he had not realized that his bully brother had met his match in a smooth-faced, boyish-looking actor.
Even now, when the realization of the truth was beginning to force itself on Joe, he was so infuriated because such a thing could be possible that it made him crazy. Snarling and spitting like a wild cat, he made a spring for Merry.
Quick as a flash, Frank turned the stream from Sam Hooker to his brother. It struck Joe in the eyes, blinding him, staggering him. It filled his mouth and forced its way down his throat. He gurgled and choked, and then his heel caught and he fell flat on his back.
By this time Sam was able to sit up again, catching his breath and rubbing the water out of his eyes.
“Oh, I’ll have his blood!” panted the cowboy. “This settles him! Whar is he? Show him ter——”
He was trying to get out a revolver when Merry gave it to him again, and over on his back he was knocked once more.