The ruffian whirled back, but Merriwell had followed him closely, and the blow Hooker struck was readily parried. Then Merry began to hammer the fellow scientifically, following every advantage closely, and keeping him going. Only once was Frank hit, and that was a weak blow, for he jumped back in time to avoid the full force of the swinging drive, which must have knocked him down had he not made the movement. As Frank leaped back, the ruffian fancied things had turned his way, and, uttering unprintable language, he tried to close in. “Don’t let him get hold of you, Merriwell!” again panted Dunton, who was shaking in every limb. To the astonishment of everybody, Frank paid no heed to this, but suddenly darted inside his assailant’s guard and grappled with him. “Now I’ve got ye!” shouted the cowboy. “Now Sam’ll break him!” yelled Joe Hooker, with satisfaction. Then something happened that caused everybody to open his eyes. The ruffian tried to crush the young athlete, but, by a wrestling trick, Frank lifted him, flung his heels into the air, snapped him over his hip, and sent him heavily to the solid walk. These movements had carried them close to where the man who had been washing windows in a dazed way, with the hose in his hands, the water pouring from the nozzle. In a twinkling, Merriwell caught the hose from the man’s hand and turned the stream on Sam Hooker, who had risen to a sitting position. “Whar is he!” the ruffian roared. “Has he run away? I’ll swaller——” “Water!” laughed Frank. Sizz—spat!—the stream from the hose struck Hooker full in the mouth, drowning his words instantly. The fellow was knocked flat on his back by the force of the water. “Perhaps this will cool him off,” observed Merry. The crowd of toughs began to realize what was happening to the terror of the town, and they were astounded. “Ther dude flammed him!” “Sure thing!” “Sam’s met his match!” “You bet!” “That’s Frank Merriwell!” cried one of the boys of the town. “If you fellers have ever heard of him, you oughter know he can do up all the Hookers in Missouri! He’s a honey cooler!” Joe Hooker was dazed, for up to this meeting he had not realized that his bully brother had met his match in a smooth-faced, boyish-looking actor. Even now, when the realization of the truth was beginning to force itself on Joe, he was so infuriated because such a thing could be possible that it made him crazy. Snarling and spitting like a wild cat, he made a spring for Merry. Quick as a flash, Frank turned the stream from Sam Hooker to his brother. It struck Joe in the eyes, blinding him, staggering him. It filled his mouth and forced its way down his throat. He gurgled and choked, and then his heel caught and he fell flat on his back. By this time Sam was able to sit up again, catching his breath and rubbing the water out of his eyes. “Oh, I’ll have his blood!” panted the cowboy. “This settles him! Whar is he? Show him ter——”