Frank looked the ground over, and he decided that an ordinary rush would not be successful, for that was the very thing the sophomores were expecting.  But there seemed no other way of getting into the park unless they climbed the fence, and not a man thought of doing such a thing as that.

The sophomores formed in front of the gate, five deep.  In the front rank of the sophs were Browning and two ’Varsity crew men.  Bruce was in the middle, with the rowers on either side.  The ends were two men from the football team.

Thus the very first line of the sophomores made a formidable array, and it is not surprising that some of the freshmen were chicken-hearted.

With assistance, Frank marshaled the freshmen, reserving a place in the first line for himself.  While that might be considered a position of honor, it was the most dangerous, and every fellow there knew this rush was to be no baby play.

For companions Merriwell selected Dismal Jones, Jack Diamond, Puss Parker and a big, broad-shouldered fellow by the name of Hovey.

Rattleton and Robinson, together with a dozen others, were appointed as “scouts.”  It was their duty to “hook” out men from the ranks of the sophs and break the force of the enemy’s rush as far as possible.

The sophomores had likewise appointed a dozen scouts, strong, active fellows, every one of whom had shown ability as an athlete.

The sophs prepared quickly for the rush, but it took more time to get the freshmen in order.  In this the seniors rendered not a little assistance.

When everything was ready the order was given, and the freshmen started forward.  Those in the front line leaned back at a slant, and those behind pushed.

At the same time the sophomores moved toward the freshmen, and then there were shouts, taunts and jeers.  Each side gave its own cheer.

“This is the last of the freshmen!” cried the sophomores.  “We’ll wipe them off the earth.  Good-by, freshies!”

“’Umpty-seven will never be heard of again,” returned the freshmen.  “They’ll be angels right away.”

Then the two bodies came together with a frightful impact.  They had locked their arms about each other’s waists, and there they clung, while they pressed upon each other with all their might.

For a little time they swayed and swayed.  There were screams and cries of pain.  They wavered and turned about, but still the crush continued.

The scouts were getting in their work, hooking their bent arms around the necks of their opponents and yanking them out of the line.

Before long the rush turned into a general pushing and hauling.  Freshman pitted himself again sophomore, and a score of wrestling matches were in progress.

Merriwell and Browning had clinched at the outset, but it was a long time before they could do anything but cling to each other.  When they did have an opportunity another soph, a scout, spoiled the match by making a low tackle on Frank and flinging him to the ground.  Browning came down heavily on the leader of the freshmen, but he immediately jumped up, crying: