"It's nearly time for the test of nerve," remarked Baker, "and we'd better have the essay read before this neophyte gets so many black marks that his case will be hopeless. Get up on that table, Merriwell."
Frank started to climb up on the table, but as soon as his knee was upon it a half dozen of the seniors yanked the table from under him and he fell to the floor.
There was a great roar of laughter at this, but Merriwell kept his face straight and did not so much as grunt.
"No black mark that time!" he thought.
"I told you to get on the table!" roared Baker.
Frank obeyed this time by making a sudden jump that brought him squarely upon the center of the table before it could possibly be yanked from under him.
There was a roar of applause at this, and the students gathered around to listen to the essay.
Frank took his manuscript from his pocket.
"What was the subject you were told to write on?" asked Baker.
Frank looked at the paper and read: