It was not long before the fight was going in favor of the college men. Then another party of students happened along, and, at sight of them, the town lads promptly scattered and ran. “Now’s the time!” cried Merry. “We want to get out of this in a hurry, fellows.” Then he saw the officer lying stretched on the ground, and stared at him in surprise. “What’s the matter with him?” he asked. “Nothing!” cried Hodge, feverishly. “He got a crack under the ear, and it knocked him out. He’s all right. Come on.” The college boys lost no further time in getting away. They separated and made their way back to the college grounds with certain haste. As if by general consent, they proceeded to Merriwell’s room. They found Frank there, making himself comfortable while he studied, as if nothing serious had happened. He welcomed them all as they appeared. Pierson was the first, and he was followed by Griswold, who strutted proudly as he entered, crying: “Did you see me do ’em up, fellows? Did you see me lay ’em out? Oh, I’m a hot biscuit right out of the bakery!” “Quite a little racket, eh, Merriwell,” smiled Pierson. “Sure,” nodded Frank. “We needed something to stir up our blood. We were getting stagnant here of late.” Joe Gamp came lumbering in. “Dud-dud-dud-dog my cuc-cuc-cuc-cats!” he stuttered. “Ain’t seen so much fun as that sence I was a fuf-fuf-freshman. But Browning did look comical up on that sus-sus-stool. A-haw! ha-aw! a-haw!” Even as Gamp roared with laughter, Bruce came slouching into the room. He sat down and kicked off the rubber boots, which were too large for his feet, then he flung aside the “sou’wester,” removed his oilskin jacket, and stretched himself wearily on the couch, observing: “Fishing is thundering tiresome work.” “Were you doing it on a wager, old man?” asked Griswold. “No,” yawned Bruce; “I was doing it on a stool.” That was all they could get out of him. It was plain that he did not want to talk about it, and did not mean to talk. “Anyway, we did up the townies all right,” said Frank. “There was some sport in that.” “Too much work,” grumbled Bruce. “Everything is too much work, and work was made for slaves.” Ned Noon came in and looked around. “Where is Hodge?” he asked. Bart was not there, but they fancied he would put in an appearance very soon, so, while they discussed the fight with the “townies,” they kept looking for Hodge. But Bart did not appear. “Hope he wasn’t pinched,” said Frank. “He’s so proud that arrest would seem a frightful disgrace to him.” There was a queer look on the face of Ned Noon. CHAPTER X. HODGE IN DANGER. Frank was crossing the campus when a voice called to him: “Hey, Merry, hold on; want to speak with you.” He looked around, and saw Danny Griswold hurrying toward him. There was a strangely serious look on the face of the little fellow, who was of a jovial nature and seldom inclined to take anything seriously.