The attack was so unexpected and sudden that most of the others in the group did not stir for a second.
There was one exception to this.
It was a man who had edged forward in order to make sure of tripping Higgins if the first man should fail, and he was so intent upon accomplishing this that he did not stop when Frank's form shot past him to attack the other.
Therefore when Frank wheeled about to defend himself in case the others should fall upon him, he saw this man just in the act of giving Higgins a violent kick upon the shins.
It was all happening so quickly that at this instant Higgins had just made his reply to the apology of the man who had shoved him, and was only beginning to regain his balance.
The kick in the shins did the business for him. He fell upon his hands and knees, and just then Frank struck out again.
He was never so thoroughly aroused in his life, and his blows fell like rain upon the Princeton man's face and chest. The latter would have suffered a square knockdown if he had not been standing so that he fell against his comrades.
The others, recovering a little from their first astonishment, made a feeble effort to close in on Frank, but it would have taken more than them to stop him then.
He beat them off vigorously, striking without mercy at any one who came within reach.
"Cheese it, there's a cop!" exclaimed one of the party suddenly, and they all took to their heels.