Frank Merriwell's Catch — page 28: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

a6 | a TIP TOP WEEKLY. He did not go down, however, but made _a forward plunge in rising, trying tocome _ up under Prank’s guard. Merry leaped back and so was not caught about the body and lifted, that being the trick Bunker had attempted. Browning’s heavy voice was heard urg- ing the whole crowd to ‘‘come and see him.’ Now and then he would graba man and fling him bodily through the air. Thus it happened that he threw one of them against Frank, and Merriwell was knocked flat upon the floor. Bunker fancied he saw his opportunity, and he leaped up with the intention of planting both heels in Frank’s face. It was a wicked, alinost murderous attempt, but it did not succeed. Browning saw hin, and, being within reach at that moment, thrust out a hand, caught him in mid-air before he could drop on Frank, and gave him a fling. Browning’s wonderful strength saved Frank Merriwell from disfigurement for life, possibly from a fatal injury. Bunker was hurled across the room, and Merry leaped up. — ‘Good trick, old man!’’ he exclaimed, appreciatingly. ‘‘Dead lucky for me that you did it.”” ‘Diamond and Hodge were doing their level best, and now there was a bellowing sound in the other room, and Haus Dun- nerwust, armed with two clubs, one in each hand, came plunging in. ‘‘Oxcuse me!’’ he cried. ‘‘Berhaps you vant me to lick myseluf! Vale, Ivosa vighter from Vighterville! Whoop! Shoost seen how I got der gameindo! I _ pet der whole crowdt vill lick me pefore der vun 1s ofer!’ Then he lay about him blindly with those clubs, being nearly as dangerous to his friends as to his foes. | Browning caught Hans by the collar and a convenient part of his trous- ets and flung him out into the other room, closing the door. ‘Phere!’ grunted the big fellow; ‘now we will proceed with the festivi- ties. Let the band play on!”’ The gamblers were astounded, for they were beginning to believe that the in- truders all enjoyed fighting. Many of the rascals were bruised and bleeding, “American Naval Apprentice Life "—The Half-Holiday No. 12 ; Con and they were beginning to weaken. Welch urged them on. Bunker waded into it again, and, aided by Weich, he Ted the gang to another assault. Frank singled out the man who had tried to stamp upon him. He forced his way toward Bunker, reached him, went at him again. ‘You are the one I am looking after??? he cried. ‘‘I have a score to settle with you, and I ain going to settle 1t!”” Then they went at it again, but now Merriwell showed himself far the man’s superior. He hit Buirker repeatedly. One of his blows brought about a re- inarkable result. The beard on Bunk- er’s face was knocked away and nearly came off. "It’s false!’ thought Frank. At that moment the hanging lamp came down with a crash and went out, leaving the room in absolute darkness. Browning caught hold of Merriwell and Diamond and forced them out through the door, Hodge following instantly. All four rushed out to. the open air, where Hans Dunnerwust joined then. ‘It’s all over,’? said Frank. ‘‘Let’s get away quickly. This row will bring acrowd to this spot, ‘fcr it must have been heard.”’ Now it was quite dark in the woods, and they hastened away into the thick shadows. ——— | CHAPTER XII. FRANK’S CAPTURE. The following morning the campers on Sandy Point were astir at an early hour. Browning did not carry a mark of the conflict, but Merriwell and Hodge showed slight bruises. | Diamond was thoroughly ashamed of having been found in such a gang. Naturally distant toward strangers, it was difficult for him to explain how he had been led into the trap. Seeing this, Frank did not press him for an explana- tion. The.real truth was, however, tliat, overcome by mortification because of the poor showing he had made in the canoe race, the Virginian had decided to take adrink. Being in a prohibition State, he had found it difficult to obtain any- thing. However, he had found an in- CLOOO S (SO)