or it. His face became suddenly pale, save where Diamond's hand had struck, and

liberation Merriwe

amond as he passed coat an

way!" protested the Virg

ht to name the weapons, an

al voices. "You'll have to

sly. "It is the prize fighter's way, bu

n. The boys quickly formed a ring, an

er freshmen were confined was thrust op

ou imagine we are going to stay penned in here while there

owed at his heels, the party having been abandoned

s way toward the fighters. "I am Merriwell's se

aid Roland Ditson. "Just give

a brief delay. There was some talk abo

I please. I don't know about your rules, and t

" asked Tad Horner, who seemed to h

amond should arrange that

no kicking," Tad H

" stiffly agree

ht. Shak

ands behind his back,

orner. "On guard!

lips when-top, tap, slap!-Merriwell had struc

they seen three blows delivered in such lightning-like rapidity, but

se was light and professional, and he

pping blows started his blood, and he sprang toward his

dged both blows with ease, and then smiled sw

delighted anticipation, "just you fellows wait a minute!

s watching every movement of the two freshmen.

old professional. By Jove! I believ

rriwell," said Parker. "You ca

and a hardening of the jaws told that his teeth were set. He was following Merriwell up, and the latter was av

ey wore built much alike, although Frank

the breast and in the ribs. When the Virginian felt that he had Frank cornered he

lled Diamond's very sou

t. "He laughs bes

ou'll get out of wind dodging about, and the

d to strike the fellow. He regretted very much that the unfortunate affair had come

l the latter should see that his effort

ze the kind of stuff of wh

e of the spectators. "Quit ducking

right!" chorused sever

neered Roland Ditson. "Merriwell seems

imed. "Well, I suppose I will have to hit him

meet the Virginian. It seemed like a great opportunity for Diamon

g his enemy's fist to pass over his shoulder. At the same time he cross

at was a corker! Bet Sparkler saw more stars th

but without putting his full strength into any of the blows, but it did not s

ot some sand," comm

ht," nodded

don't believe he will hold out much longer. I think he

that. I have a fancy

knew that Merriwell was reserving any

against the Southerner because he seemed determined to "bl

d, although he had felt some resentment toward th

taking advantage of an enemy, for Diamond must have presumed

nclined to keep on and tire his enemy out, witho

ded that it was no more than fair that he should gi

d, and gradually he came to strike harder as the Virginian

Merriwell's knuckles cut through the skin, and the blood began to run,

ich he fought, it seemed that Diamond was utte

l with rapiers without knowing whether the fellow he

self, Merriwell had forced him to a fist fight, bel

st to blame, and filled him with a passionate belief that he could kill the

s in striking Frank at all, he sprang

on the watch

moment, ending with Diamond being lifted

wn heavily on his

nocking the wind out of the fellow an

s it seemed that

Horner grappled him by the hair wit

at Diamond's sid

d; "get up and get into the game a

or breath, and he did not seem

t," said Puss P

ruce Browning. "Diamond may not

s if he'd ever get

as at Frank's sid

onkeyed with the goat too long. He's stuffy, and you had to settle him so

d I hated to nail him hard. It seemed a shame to thu

n expert! Say, what's the matter with you? If I'd been in your place I'd gone into him tooth and nail, and I

, even if it i

y pie-yes, you take

ith pity and disgust. He could not understand Merriwell, and such gener

son had been urging

n't get onto your pins in a jiffy," he war

eemed unable to lift a hand. If ever a fell

round his tee

the walk now!" he muttered. "He'll cro

gasped Diamond,

eard him tell Rattleton that he could have knocked the stuffing out of you i

huskily from Diamond's lips. "Wel

o come to him in a twinkling. With a backward snap of his arm he flung his second