The ruffian’s friends were chuckling and muttering among themselves.
“Dan paralyzes him the first time he hits him,” declared one.
“You bet your boots he does!” put in another.
“I seen him break Bill Goddard’s neck with a blow down in Buckeye,” said a third.
Frank removed his wide-brimmed hat and laid it on the bar, tossing back his head with a slight shaking motion to fling a lock of hair out of his eyes. Then he suddenly advanced to meet his antagonist, his arms hanging straight at his sides and his hands open. It seemed as if he invited annihilation, and Spotted Dan improved the occasion by making a strong swinging blow with his huge fist, aiming straight at the face of the fearless youth.
Quick as a flash of light, Merry ducked just the slightest and tipped his head to one side.
Dan’s fist shot over Frank’s shoulder. With a quick movement of his foot, Merriwell struck the ruffian’s feet from beneath him, and the giant crashed to the floor so heavily that the glasses and bottles rattled on the shelves behind the bar.
With a roar of surprise, Spotted Dan made a spring and landed on his feet. Before him stood Merriwell, still with his hands hanging at his sides, regarding him with just the faintest suggestion of an amused smile. That smile was enough to infuriate the bruiser beyond description.
“Dodges, does yer!” snarled the man. “Well, dodge this if yer ken!”
Again he struck, and again Merry escaped by simply tipping his head like a flash over upon his shoulder and crouching the least bit. He did not lift a hand to ward off the blow. Like a panther he leaped to one side, and his outstretched toe caught his enemy’s ankle as the force of that blow, wasted on the empty air, sent Dan staggering forward. A second time the fellow went crashing to the floor. A second time he sprang up with amazing agility for one so huge and ponderous.