“That’s who it is; how are you, Frank; what’s doing in the athletic line?” came over the wire.
“A whole lot, Cuthbert,” Frank replied quickly. “I’m out at our athletic field right now. There are some hundreds here, and a lot of our boys practicing stunts. A bunch of your fellows came over, and are trying to make trouble. They even jeer at Chief Hogg, and defy him to lay a hand on them.”
“Thunder! that’s bad; I never dreamed they’d do such a thing,” came from the astounded boy eight miles away, down in Bellport.
“Unless something is done pretty soon I’m afraid there’s going to be trouble here, and some broken heads,” Frank went on. “And the worst of it all is that such a rumpus will break off all friendly intercourse between the two schools for years, perhaps. Now, I know you have a great influence over the Bellport boys, Cuthbert. They’ll do more for you than any fellow living. Can’t you take your motorcycle, and come over here, licketty-split, and save the day? Please do. It’s the only chance of keeping peace between the two towns.”
“Frank, I’ll come right away!” answered Cuthbert. “I don’t know that I can hold those hotheads in check; but I’m willing to do all I can. So-long!”
Frank went out, hoping that affairs would not reach a crisis before the athletic leader of the Bellport school arrived. He tried to soothe the angry and bitter disputants as best he could, and perhaps the respect they felt for Frank Allen was one reason why some of them did not begin to use their fists or sticks sooner.
The minutes dragged along, and each seemed an hour to Frank. He knew that there could be no holding the boys back much longer, for the insults were growing more and more bitter, and the motions of arms and sticks more menacing.
“Oh! Frank, can’t you do something to separate them before they fight?” asked Minnie, when the boy happened to come close to where a group of girls stood shivering, and looking frightened at the war of words.
“I have done what I could,” replied Frank. “Listen, don’t you hear that popping sound? It’s Cuthbert Lee on his motorcycle. I ’phoned to him over home that he was needed here to prevent a clash, and he’s come on the jump!”