Frank Merriwell at Yale | Page 3

the clear evening air:
"When the day is closing o'er us, U-ra-li-o, U-ra-li-o, And the
landscape fades before us, U-ra-li-o, U-ra-li-o, When our merry men
quit their mowing, And along the glen horns are blowing, Sweetly then
we'll raise the chorus, U-ra-li-o, U-ra-li-o."
The warbling song died out in the distance, there was a rush of feet
outside the door, and Harry, breathless and excited, came bursting into
the room.
"I say, old man," he cried, "what do I think?"
"Really, I don't know," laughed Frank. "What do you think?"
"I--I mean wh-what do you think?" spluttered Harry.
"Why, I think a great many things. What's up, anyway?"
"You know Diamond?"
"The fellow they call Jack?"
"Yes."
"I should say so! It was his bull pup that chewed a piece out of the leg
of my trousers. I kicked the dog downstairs, and Diamond came near
having a fit over it. He's got a peppery temper, and he was ready to
murder me. I reckon he thought I should have taken off my trousers and
given them to the dog to chew."
"He's a Southerner--from Virginia. He's a dangerous chap, Frank--just
as lief eat as fight--I mean fight as eat. He's been in town to-night,
drinking beer with the boys, and he's in a mighty ugly mood. He says
you insulted him."

"Is that so?"
"It's just so, and he's going to dallenge you to a chewel--I mean
challenge you to a duel."
Frank whistled softly, elevating his brows a bit.
"What sort of a duel?" he asked.
"Why, a regular duel with deadly weapons. He's awfully in earnest,
Frank, and he means to kill you if you don't apologize. All the fellows
are backing him; they think you will not fight."
"Is that so? Looking for me to show the white feather, are they? Well, I
like that!"
"But you can't fight him! I tell you he's a fire eater! I've heard that his
father killed a man in a duel."
"And that makes the son dangerous! No, Harry, I can't afford
to--What's all that racket?"
The sound of voices and of many feet ascending the stairs could be
heard. Harry turned pale.
"They're coming, Frank!" he exclaimed. "It's the whole gang, and
Diamond is with them. He means to force you to fight or squeal!"
CHAPTER II.
CHALLENGED AND HAZED.
The voices were hushed, the feet halted in the hall, and then there was a
sharp knock on the door.
Before Harry could reach the door Frank called out:
"Come in."

Open flew the door, and there stood the tall, straight, dark-eyed
Southerner, with half a dozen other fellows behind him.
"Mr. Merriwell," said Diamond, stiffly, "I have called to see you on a
very important matter, sir."
"Walk right in," invited Frank, rising to receive them. "Bring your
friends in. State your business, Mr. Diamond."
The party came trooping in, and Frank was not a little astonished to
observe among them Bruce Browning, a big, strong, lazy sophomore, a
fellow who was known to be a great hand to plan deviltry which was
usually carried into execution by his friends. As for Browning, he was
not given to exerting himself when he could avoid it.
That a soph should associate with a party of freshmen seemed but a
little short of marvelous, and Frank instantly scented "a job." Believing
he had been singled out for the party to "jolly," his blood was up in a
moment, and he resolved to show them that he was not "easy."
Jack Diamond drew himself up, his eyes fastened threateningly on
Frank, and said:
"Sir, you had the impudence to kick my dog, and when I remonstrated
with you, you insulted me. I demand an apology before these
gentlemen."
Frank held himself in check; he appeared as cool as an iceberg.
"Sir," he said, "your confounded dog spoiled a pair of ten-dollar
trousers for me, and I demand another pair--or satisfaction."
Harry Rattleton caught his breath. Was Merriwell crazy? He started
forward, as if to intervene, but Diamond, his eyes blazing, motioned
him back.
"Very well, sir," said the Southerner, addressing Frank, "you shall have
all the satisfaction you desire. Mr. Ditson will represent me."

Roland Ditson pressed forward. He was a loud-voiced youth who wore
loud clothes and sported a large amount of jewelry.
"Name your second, Merriwell," he said in an authoritative way. "We
want to settle this matter as soon as possible."
Frank named Harry, and the seconds conferred together.
Merriwell sat down and coolly awaited the result, with his hands in his
pockets. Diamond drew aside, his friends gathering about him. Bruce
Browning interested himself in what was passing between Rattleton
and Ditson, and it was plain that he was urging them to do something.
After a few minutes Harry