"If youse ain't der whites' young cove what I ever seen, I'm a liar! If yer wants me ter do up der whole gang as was ag'inst yer ter-night, jest you say so! I'd like der job."
"If I need you, I'll let you know," assured Frank. "Good-night."
Plug doffed his battered hat.
"Good-night, young gent. May ye alwus prosper, an' may Old Nick take yer enemies."
As Frank and Jack walked toward their rooms in South Middle, the Virginian observed:
"You are the strangest fellow I ever saw, Merriwell.
When you do make a friend he is ready to go through fire for you, and you make friends of all sorts and conditions of persons. Your friends are as firm and unwavering as your enemies are virulent and dangerous."
"And still I seldom seek the friendship of any one," declared Merriwell. "If they wish to be my friends, I accept them for what they show themselves to be. If they choose to be my enemies, well and good; let them look out for themselves. To-night I have found that a new combine of enemies has risen against me. I know them all, and I shall treat them as they deserve."