nd he finally landed with sufficient violence to stun the big fellow.

Then, with the skill of a veteran life-saver, the little plebe swung
the heavy yearling over his back, and struck out for the bank, swept
down stream by the current.

Frank ran along the bank till Davis came near enough to be pulled out
with his burden, and Frank dragged both the water-dripping lads to
solid ground.

"By gracious! Davis, you have proved your value this morning!" cried
Frank, as he clung to the panting little plebe. "Bascomb will owe you
his life, and no one can call you a coward from this time on."

The other boys came running to the spot, breathing heavily, and Frank
soon explained exactly what had taken place. They looked at Davis with
increased respect, and one of them proposed three cheers for "Baby,"
which were given with a will.

The sound of the cheering seemed to arouse Bascomb. He opened his
eyes, and the first person he saw was Frank. With a moan and a
shudder, he covered his eyes with his hands, gasping:

"Take him away! Don't let him touch me!"

"You have no reason to be afraid of me," assured Frank, quietly. "I am
no ghost; I am alive and well."

"No, no; it cannot be!"

"It is the truth. I did not go to my death over Black Bluff, as you
thought. I did fall, but I was saved by a rocky shelf."

Then Frank slowly and distinctly explained everything, finally
convincing Bascomb that it was really true.

* * * * * *

The horrors of the night he had spent alone in the woods overcame
Bascomb so that he was quite prostrated, having to remain in hospital
several days, and barely escaping a fever.

But he was very happy to know that Frank still lived, and this
happiness led to his quick recovery.

As for Frank, although Bascomb had played a most contemptible trick on
him in flinging the red pepper in his eyes, he knew the bully had been
punished quite enough, and he decided to let the matter drop. As it
was, there were many other matters to claim his attention, some of
which will be related in the next volume of this series, entitled:
"Frank Merriwell's Foes."

The report of Davis' exploit in rescuing Bascomb became generally
known, and, instead of being called a coward, Fred was regarded as
something of a hero. The boys thought him peculiar, but there were not
a few who came to uphold him in refusing to fight when he had given his
mother his word that he would do nothin