That the new arrivals on the battlefield were armed with heavy clubs was apparent, and they used them mercilessly on the ruffians. This attack was unexpected by Frank's assailants, and they could not meet it. Immediately they turned and fled, pursued by one of the men who had set upon them. Just then, apparently disturbed by the sounds of the fight, some person came to a nearby window with a lighted lamp. The light shone out into the alley, and fell on Frank Merriwell and one of the men who had saved him. "Plug Kirby!" gasped Frank, sitting up. "Dat's wot, me boy!" cried the bruiser, cheerfully. "An' I kinder t'ink we didn't git round any too quick neider." "You came just in time." "Be yer hurt much, youngster?" asked Kirby, anxiously, assisting Frank to arise. "I think not. Got a few cracks and was upset, but that is all. Where is the man who was with you?" "He whooped it along after der gang. Kinder t'ink he wanted ter ketch one of der blokes an' hold him fer der perlice ter pinch." "Who was he?" "Dunno." "What?" cried Frank, astonished--"don't know who was with you when you came to my aid?" "Well, I dunno his name, youngster, and that's on der level." Frank was eager to ask more questions, but Plug said: "We'd best push outer dis. Dunno wot'll happen if we stays here too long. Der gang might come back." So they hurried out of the alley, Frank receiving some assistance from Kirby, as he was rather dizzy when he tried to walk. When the street was reached no one seemed to be in the immediate vicinity. "Shall we wait for your friend?" asked Merriwell. "Naw," answered Plug. "He ain't likely ter come back." A short time later they were seated at a table in a nearby resort, and Frank was treating Kirby. Frank had examined his own injuries, and discovered they were not serious, although it was likely that he would be sore about the head and shoulders from the bruises he had received. "Now tell me," urged Frank, "who was with you when you came to my assistance? I am eager to know." "I tole yer dat I don't know der cove's name, but I do know dat he is all right an' on der level." "Well, how is that you do not know his name?" "Never asked him." "How do you happen to know him?" "Well, yer see, it was dis way: I was inter Jackson's der odder evenin' takin' me nightcap. Dere was some fellers in dere wot was college chaps, and dey was talkin' about races and t'ings. Pretty soon dey said somet'ing about you. Some of 'em was hard on you, an' dat got me mad up. I jes' waded inter der gang an' offered ter lick anybody wot didn't t'ink you was der clean stuff." Frank smiled a bit, realizing that he had, indeed, made a firm friend of this bruiser who had once tried to whip him, but had received a severe drubbing, instead.