“Help, help!” roared the ruffian.
“Calm yourself,” advised Starbright. “I do not need help. I am able to attend to your case without assistance.”
Then, he repeated with the right foot, and the kick seemed to raise the man two feet from the sidewalk.
“You’re killing me!” groaned the masher, trying to twist round, but finding himself helpless in the grasp of the Andover giant.
“Not at all,” said Dick. “I intend to only about half-kill you. That will be enough to teach you a wholesome lesson.”
And then he kicked with both feet in quick succession, and did not cease till the demoralized masher was limp and helpless. Then Dick held him up, steadied him on his feet, and grimly said:
“I’ll give you two minutes to get out of sight. Steady! If you don’t hustle away, I may take a notion to overhaul you and kick you some more. I have enjoyed kicking you very much.”
The fellow staggered away when Dick released him.
Turning, Starbright found that Merriwell had easily handled the other two fellows and put them to flight.
“The opportunity was just what I’ve wanted,” muttered Dick. “I’ve been longing to kick somebody for several hours.”