CHAPTER XVIII.
RAINS' CHALLENGE.
Bascomb's movement had been noted by the spectators, and a cry of astonishment and warning broke from many lips.
"Look out!" shouted Bart Hodge.
Frank had seen the movement, and he needed no warning.
Like a flash, he ducked to the right, and Bascomb's bare fist missed his face and shot over his shoulder.
At the same instant Frank countered with his left, striking the big fellow on the chin, and hurling him backward with force enough to send him reeling.
Leaping forward, Merriwell followed up his advantage, and Bascomb received two terrible blows, one of which knocked him down as if he had been struck by a cannon ball.
Then Frank flung off both his gloves, his face flushed, and his eyes flashing, as he exclaimed: "Two can play at your game, fellow! If you want to try a round with uncovered knuckles, pick yourself up and come on!" Snarling like a wounded dog, Bascomb scrambled to his feet; but here the spectators surged between the two, Rains catching hold of the big plebe, while Hodge grasped Merriwell.
"Easy, Frank!" warned Bart.

"Are you crazy?
You know what it will mean if you fight in the gym.

Rhynas has noticed it now--he's coming." "Confound that fellow!" muttered Frank.

"I don't often get started this way, but it was such a dirty trick that----" "Never mind, now.

Keep still, or Rhynas will hear." "Let me get at him!" Bascomb had snarled.