The witnesses gasped with astonishment.
With a roar of rage, Mason leaped to his feet and came at Merriwell, somewhat blinded and dazed, but raging like a mad bull.
With the utmost ease Frank avoided the big fellow, and then he struck Mason again.
The second blow did not knock the giant down, but it stopped him a moment, and the blood began to run down his face.
Frank's fist had cut a long gash over the bully's right eye, and the blood quickly began to blind Hock, for already his left eye was swelling swiftly, showing it might be entirely closed in a few moments.
Mason wiped away the blood with his coat sleeve, and went at Frank with another rush.
Merriwell dodged, thrust out his foot, and tripped the freshman, sending him to the ground with a thud.
Over by the fence a little party witnessed all this with astonishment unspeakable.
Was this Mason, the freshman bully, who was being handled in such a manner by Merriwell? Was this the man who had knocked out four New Haven cops?
Mason had struck at Frank savagely enough to lay him out, but Merriwell easily dodged the blow.