The days passed, and Frank turned again to his studies. He was anxious to prove to the professors that he could learn his lessons, as well as play football.
To be sure, he did not give up his sports entirely, nor his recreation at the gym.
As the days slipped by, many of the students became more or less interested in a big, burly freshman, who went by the name of Hock Mason.
Mason had proved himself a regular bruiser on more than one occasion, and he was such a thoroughly "bad man," that some of the boys grew afraid of him.
One night there was a crowd gathered in Frank's room, and it was not long before the conversation turned upon the "bad man," who was hardly known to our hero.
"He's a terror!"
It was plain Halliday thought so. The manner in which he uttered the words showed that he was fully satisfied on that point.
"Is he scientific?" asked Merriwell.
"No; but he is a bulldog," answered Halliday.
"And a brute!" exclaimed Harry Rattleton.