In a moment Jack Diamond's arm was extended and pressed across Emery's
breast, holding him back like a bar of iron.

"There is no foul in this match!" came exultantly from the lips of the
Virginian. "That was stated at the beginning."

Flemming made one last feeble struggle, and then the two lads went down
together, with Fred under. They fell heavily, and Merriwell came down
on his enemy with his full weight.

A moment later Frank arose.

On the turf Fred Flemming lay white and still, his eyes closed.

"Bring some water," calmly directed the victor. "I think Mr. Flemming
has been stunned."

"This fall settles the match," decided Hugh Heffiner. "Frank Merriwell
has won by throwing Flemming two times in succession. Permit me to
congratulate you, Mr. Merriwell, for it is apparent that you are as
expert in the art of wrestling as you have proved yourself to be in the
other things you have attempted."

"Thank you," said Frank, simply, as he accepted Heffiner's hand.

Jack Diamond whispered in Tom Thornton's ear:

"It is your turn next!"

Diamond called on Merriwell that evening.

"You are a dandy, old man!" cried the Virginian, admiringly. "You got
back at Flemming in great shape. They say he has been weak as a rag ever
since you dropped him the second time, and it is pretty certain he will
hold you in respect hereafter."

"I shall be satisfied if he will let me alone," said Frank, quietly. "I
have no grudge against him, but the fellow who has not the nerve to
fight his way in this world gets left. Life is a battle from start to
finish, and the hardest fighter is the winner."

"True," nodded Jack.

"My mother was one of the gentlest women in the world," continued
Merriwell. "Thoughts of strife and contention distressed her. To her a
personal encounter was brutal and vulgar, and she instructed me never to
fight unless absolutely compelled to do so. As far as possible I have
tried to remember her teachings. I have not found it possible to do so
at all times, as my enemies would ride over me if I did. When I see that
a foe is determined to force me into an encounter then I become the
aggressor. In another thing my mother was at fault. Many times she told
me never to strike the first blow. She was wrong. Often the first blow
wins the battle. If a person sees there is certain to be an encounter,
he should do his best to get in the first blow, and make it a good one.
Then he should not be satisfied to let it rest