Luke Moss looked horrified that his crony should thus be treated. He sprang toward the fallen bully.
"Let me alone!" snarled Gerald. "I'm all right. I'll make him pay for this."
He managed to get to his feet, though he staggered a bit, for Frank's blow had not been a light one.
"You—you dared to hit me—me!" gasped Gerald as he advanced toward our hero.
"I'm sorry I had to, but it was hit or be hit," said Frank calmly. "You spoke of fighting, you know."
"Yes, and I'll give you all you want!" fairly yelled the bully. "I'll show you who's boss here!"
He sprang toward Frank, but the latter never moved. He shifted his weight to the other foot and calmly awaited the onslaught.
Gerald had almost reached him, and there was every prospect of a fight, when Luke, who had been hanging in the background, being too great a coward to risk hostilities with any of Frank's companions, suddenly uttered a cry.
"Cheese it! Here comes Thorny!" he exclaimed. "He'll have us all up on the platform if he thinks we're fighting."
"Cut for it!" gasped Jack.