"I'll stick it out," declared Frank.
But the others did not think it wise. Even the vindictiveness of Gerald seemed to ooze away. He glared at Frank, but his hands dropped to his side.
"Come on," called Luke. "He doesn't suspect anything yet"
"All right, but I'm not done with you, Fresh!" called the bully to Frank. "I'll make you wish you'd never come to Riverview."
"I'll meet you any time you say," replied Frank calmly. "And I'll be delighted to give you satisfaction. I'm not going to tip my cap, either, and I'd advise the others to cut out that silly custom."
"You'll tip it all right when I'm through with you," snarled the bully.
Then he and his crony turned aside while our four friends continued on their way to the river. Professor Thorndyke Callum passed them with a frigid nod, and the boys congratulated themselves that he had been sighted in time, for he had a particular horror of fighting and meted out severe punishment to those whom he caught.
"Say, this is the best thing I've seen since I came here," said Ward admiringly to Frank. "Gee! but you sent him down all right. Where did you get that punch?"
"Oh, I took boxing lessons," said Frank modestly. "But it's time that fellow was taken down a peg. How did you fellows let him get such a hold over you?"
"Oh, he was here when we came," explained Jack, "and he beat up all the fellows who wouldn't do as he wanted them to. He never met any one who could trim him I guess."