“I don’t know yet, but he came just in time to save me from that Rolf Harlow, whom I fear and detest. He knocked Harlow down.” “And Berlin Radford was holding me so I could not come to your assistance when you were crying for help. They knew Aunt Hannah had gone to the store, and they saw Uncle Tobias row away in his boat. That was how they dared do it.” “Look!” gasped Elsie; “see how they are fighting now: It is dreadful!” She covered her face with her hands, but the other girl continued to watch the fighting lads, her heart beating in sympathy for Frank Merriwell. Radford was a savage fighter, and Merry found him even more formidable than Rolf Harlow. Radford was a member of the Alexandria Athletic Club, although he had been stopping in Blue Cove a few days. Frank did not escape some punishment, but he skillfully managed to cause his enemies to interfere with each other to a certain extent, and when he did strike a blow they were certain to feel it. Three times was Harlow sent to grass, and Radford was knocked down twice, the second blow causing blood to spurt from his nose, on which Merriwell’s hard fist had landed. Still, encouraging each other, they pressed Frank hard. Finally, Radford got in a blow that brought Merriwell to his knees. Elsie, who had uncovered her eyes, screamed with fear, and held her hands over her face once more. Kate quivered with excitement and fear. “Oh, the cowards!” she exclaimed. “He could whip either one of them alone!” “And I can whip them both together!” panted Frank, who caught her words. “On him—on him!” shouted Harlow. “Now is our time to do him up! We can finish him in a hurry!” Both boys rushed at Frank. Radford was in advance. Merriwell ducked and arose. He had grasped Radford about the ankles, and he lifted the fellow into the air, flinging him clean over his head! Radford fell and struck on his back, while Frank was barely in time to grapple with Harlow. Rolf’s rush swept Merriwell back, and both fell over Radford’s prostrate form. Then the latter made a scramble, and the two pinned Frank to the ground! They had him foul at last! CHAPTER XIV—FRANK AND ELSIE As well might they have tried to hold an eel. With a squirming twist, Frank managed to writhe from beneath them, somehow thumping their heads together till they were dazed by the stars that seemed to flash before their eyes. While they were in this condition, he got upon his feet, breathing heavily, but laughing as if it were a matter of sport. Harlow and Radford sprang up quickly. They located Frank, and, though amazed by the manner in which he had escaped them, renewed the attack. Now all three were fighting somewhat slower, as if the strain upon them was telling on their wind. The struggle was still raging when a stout, motherly-looking woman, with a basket in her hand, came around the corner, and stopped, staring in amazement at the scene. “Well, I never!” she exclaimed. The girls heard her, saw her, flew to her.