"Get ready to give it to them," ordered the Captain and each boy, snatching up an armful of snowballs, prepared to repel the attack.
"Fire!" Reddy shouted, as the enemy drew near, and when they met that rain of balls it didn't take them long to get back to the cover of their own fort.
"That was great!" cried Herbie. "Come on, let us charge this time before they have a chance to get ready for us."
"Hey, I'm the Captain," insisted Reddy. "Nobody gives any orders but me," and he pulled his woolen cap well down over his ears in preparation for the coming attack.
"Well, hurry up and give them, then!" shouted Toad. "I'm all loaded up."
"Charge, charge on!" shouted Reddy, starting out on the run with the others close upon his heels, and after a few minutes of hard fighting they had forced their way to the walls of the fort.
The balls were flying so thick and so fast, from both sides, that it looked like a snow storm of enormous flakes shooting in all directions.
The boys carrying balls to supply the invaders were kept busy, but before long it was noticed that there were fewer coming from inside the fort.
"They've used up all they have," shouted Toad. "Let's get closer."
"Close in," cried Captain Reddy, "and aim well!"