“Oh, I don’t know! It seems to me that almost any fellow would have done that.” “Hegner was with her, but he did not lift a hand to save her.” “It is plain he did not know what to do. He did not think quickly enough.” “That is just it, Merry. In any emergency you think of just the right thing to do, and that is what makes you such a good man. I say Yale can’t afford to lose you from her eleven, and I hope you will not be damaged so it will knock you out.” At that instant five or six dark forms suddenly darted out from both sides of the street and surrounded the boys. A voice snarled: “When we are through with him he’ll be damaged so he won’t play football this season!” CHAPTER XXXIV—A FIGHT AGAINST ODDS “Ambushed!” “Trapped!” Frank and Bart uttered the exclamations as those dark forms gathered around them and they heard that snarling voice. At a glance they saw the faces of their assailants were hidden by handkerchiefs which had been tied across them to their eyes, and one of them had turned his coat wrong side out. The one with the turned coat seemed to be the leader of the party. “Get around them, fellows!” he ordered, sharply. “Don’t let them skip!” “We’re in for it!” grated Hodge. “It looks that way,” admitted Frank. “We’ll have to fight!” “Sure.” In another moment they had placed themselves back to back, and were ready to meet the assault of the young thugs of the street. “So you’ll fight, will you?” grated the leader. “Well, you won’t stand much show with this crowd. We can knock the packing out of you in short order.” “Don’t be so sure of that,” said Frank, with that singular laugh which Hodge knew indicated Merry was thoroughly aroused. “You may not find it. such a snap.” “We are three to your one.” “Even then you are not so many.” “The trouble with you is that you think yourself a great deal smarter than you are. Well, you’ll change your mind after this. To-morrow you’ll be in a hospital.” “You may be in a coffin, my fine fellow.” The masked ruffians had surrounded Frank and Bart, and were ready for the attack. Their leader gave the word: “At ’em, boys! Hammer ’em! Knock ’em down and kick ’em!” Then the assault was made with a rush that was hard to withstand. For a moment it seemed that Merry and Hodge would be swept off their feet, overthrown, crushed. Hodge was a fighter. He had a temper like a cold chisel, and he did not fear anything that walked. Frank knew the caliber of his Fardale chum, and he was glad that Hodge happened to be with him. A big fellow got Bart by the throat, after Hodge had sent two others reeling backward before cracking blows, and for some seconds it seemed that Frank’s friend would be overcome. But Bart broke the hold of his assailant, gave him a terrible jab in the wind, and then smashed him under the ear, when he doubled over. That put him out of the fight for a few moments at least.