“It is not very likely that he will molest me again, unless, by some chance, it becomes known that he was handled roughly this time. Then he may make a desperate attempt to reclaim his lost reputation.” “And you are not at all afraid of him, Mr. Merriwell?” “Afeared of him?” exploded Ephraim Gallup. “By gum! I ain’t never yit seen ther critter that walked araound on two laigs that Frank Merriwell was skeered of.” “But this fellow is a bloodthirsty ruffian.” “I do not believe he is nearly as bloodthirsty as he wishes people to believe,” said Merriwell. “Would you go right out of the door down there if you knew he was waiting for you?” asked Sawyer, doubtfully. Frank laughed outright. “Do you think I would drop out of a window on the other side of the building so he would not see me?” “No, but it don’t seem to me that you know just what kind of a man Sam Hooker is. You don’t seem to realize that he has whipped five fighting men in a stand-up battle. I don’t believe that kind of a man can be easily tamed.” “Why, ding-darn it!” cried Gallup. “He never come back to git any more arter he run ag’in Frank!” “And for that very reason,” said the local stage manager, “I am inclined to believe he will lay for Mr. Merriwell.” “If he does, he’ll git a wuss wallopin’ then he ever guv anybody in his life. I’ll warrant him that.” “He made a mistake in thinking he was going to handle Mr. Merriwell easily. Next time he will not make that mistake.” “Waal, he don’t want ter.” “He’ll try to smash Mr. Merriwell at the very start.” “Don’t worry about that, Mr. Sawyer,” said Frank. “Go ahead getting my stuff in. Ephraim, go to the hotel and send Havener and Dunton here to help handle this stuff. We must have somebody in the place of Joe Hooker.” “All right.” Ephraim departed, and Frank continued to watch the disposal of his scenery as it was brought in. It was not long before Havener, Dunton and Gallup appeared. Ephraim came in fuming. “By gum!” he cried. “Yeou’re goin’ ter have a raow with that feller, sure, Frank! He’s watchin’ fer ye!” “Hooker?” “Yep.” “I knew he would!” exclaimed Sawyer. “Where is he?” asked Merry. “At the saloon on the corner,” answered the Vermonter. “He was peekin’ aout of the winder, an’ he jumped aout when he saw me comin’. Soon as he saw yeou warn’t with me, he said somethin’ kainder disgusted like an’ went back in. There’s a reg’ler gang with him.” “A gang?” “There is a crowd of young toughs who follow him around,” explained Sawyer. “They think he’s able to whip Corbett, and they take delight in seein’ him smash anybody.” Frank did not show the least alarm, but his face grew grim and resolute. “I rather fancy I shall have enough of my friends with me to see that I get fair play,” he said. “That is all I ask.” Dunton got close to Frank, and said: