"Yes, and I'll soak you again!" answered the big fellow, aiming a blow at Andy.
"Oh, no you won't!" exclaimed Frank, and he promptly knocked down his brother's assailant.
The row was on in earnest now, and Frank and Andy, as well as Jack and Ward, found that they had their hands full. It was quite dark, so one could hardly see whether he was attacking friend or foe. But the fight went on, growing more and more fierce. Several lads were knocked down and trampled upon, and more than one had a bloody nose or a discolored eye. The yells and shouts could be heard all over town.
"Are you hurt, Andy?" panted Frank, who had managed to keep at the side of his brother.
"No, only I got a couple of good pokes. I gave 'em back, though."
"Let's try and work out of this. The police may come at any moment, and I don't want any of our friends to be locked up."
But to get out of that mad, seething, surging crowd was easier said than done. They were hemmed in and had to fight to keep their footing.
Suddenly, above the excited cries and the shouts of many bystanders for the police, was heard the ringing of the fire bell. Then the rumble and whistle of the approaching engines were audible. For a moment there came a lull in the desperate battle, but only for a moment. Then it was resumed again. Not for a little thing like a fire would the students stop fighting.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE CHALLENGE ACCEPTED