influence him to abologize uf you couldt, ain'd id?"

"It would not be proper to bring any undue influence to bear on him. I
shall carry your challenge to him immediately."

As Frank started to find Ephraim Gallup, Barney Mulloy slipped from the
crowd and joined him. The Irish lad's eyes were full of mischief.

"I say, Frankie, me b'y," he said, quickly, "can't we put up a job on
thot Dutchman, an' hiv som' fun av this, Oi dunno?"

"Leave that to me," smiled Frank. "I fancy I will find a way to get
plenty of sport out of this business. You know those two old
horse-pistols that are hung up for relics in the armory?"

"Yis."

"Go for them yourself, or send somebody who can get them immediately."

"Pwhat do yez want wid thim?"

"I will show you, if I can make my scheme work."

"Oi belave Oi know," chuckled the fun-loving Irish lad. "Mursha!
Won't thot be fun, Oi dunno! Oi'll hiv thim roight away," and off he
darted.

As Frank expected, he found Ephraim once more surrounded by a mob who
were having sport at his expense. Fortunately for Merriwell's scheme,
the country boy was rather angry, and felt more like fighting than
doing anything else.

"Mr. Gallup," said Frank, as he forced his way through the throng and
confronted the Vermonter, "I am here in behalf of a friend whom you
have sorely insulted."

"Git aout with yer nonsense!" retorted Ephraim. "I wish you'd quit yer
foolin' an' let a feller alone."

"You will discover this is not fooling, sir," said Frank, sternly. "My
friend demands that you fight him immediately. Will you do it?"

"Wal, I be twisted if I don't!" snorted Ephraim, as he spat on his
hands and prepared to remove his coat. "Where is ther consarned
critter? I'll bark his nose quicker'n a brindle caow kin kick over a
pail of milk, by gum!"

CHAPTER XLIII.

DOUGHTY DUELIST.

Ephraim was in earnest.

"Hold on," said Frank, quickly, "what are you going to do?"

"Fight, by gum!"

"But you can't fight here."

"Why not?"

"You would be arrested and placed in the guard tent."

"Wal, ef a feller can't fight, whut ye makin' all this taowse abaout?"

"You can fight, but not within the limits of the camp. The duel must
take place outside."

"Who is this consarned critter that says I've insulted him?"

"Mr. Dunnerwust."

"Wal, ef he wants to fight me, he'll find he never dun er wust thing."

Frank staggered and clutched at his heart.

"Don't!" he gasped. "I'm n