o
fit boxing antagonist for a gentleman."

"I shall look out for his 'wicked left,' as I have heard the boys call
it."

"He wants to provoke you into a fight with himself or Rains."

"I thought as much; but he may change his mind after we spar, if he
does not catch me foul by an accident."

"He is tricky."

"I will watch out for his tricks."

"Look out for his cross-buttock. He's stout as a moose, and he will
give you a nasty fall."

For all of his warning words, Bart had great confidence in Frank. They
had fought once, shortly after coming to Fardale, and Hodge had found
Merriwell more than his match then. Since that time, Frank had missed
no opportunity to pick up points in boxing, and his advancement had
been great.

Still there was a chance that, by some accident, Bascomb might land
once with that "wicked left," or might seek to injure Merriwell by a
fall, if he found that he was matched in every other way, so Bart was
on hand with his words of warning.

It did not take Frank long to get ready, and it was not long before the
two boys faced each other, adjusting the gloves upon their hands. Then
they came up to the scratch, and the word was given that started the
contest.

Bascomb started in at once with a series of false motions intended to
confuse Merriwell, but they simply brought a faint smile to Frank's
face, and he remained as placid as ever until----

Just as Bascomb had decided to rush, Merriwell rushed. There was a
flashing of their gloves. The big fellow struck twice, and both blows
were met by a ready guard.

Biff! biff! biff! First with the right, and then twice with the left
Frank struck the big plebe. None of them were heavy blows, but they
all stung, and the angry blood surged to Bascomb's face, as he saw
Merriwell leap back beyond his reach, laughing a bit.

"Mosquito bites!" said Bascomb, derisively.

"But they count."

"Who cares. I will more than square that in a minute."

"All right; I am waiting."

Once more they were at it, toe to toe, hands moving slightly, light on
their feet, ready to dodge or spring, ready to strike or guard. Blows
came, one landing on Merriwell's cheek, and another on his shoulder;
but more than twenty were dodged or guarded, and Bascomb was struck
twice for every blow he gave.

Frank was watching for that left hand body blow, and it came at last,
just when Bascomb thought it must count.

In that case Bascomb deceived himself.

The blo