"Run ’em down!" cried Dick. "They’re ruffians! Don’t let them get away!"
The cadets who had leaped the fence rushed away in pursuit of the sailors, while Dick knelt beside his fallen comrade of the terrible encounter.
"Hurt bad, partner?" he asked, lifting the head of the other.
The injured fellow drew a deep breath and answered thickly:
"Bumped pretty hard, but I think I’m all right. You’re a dandy, old man, whoever you are. How did it happen, anyway?"
"I heard a sneaking cur hire those dogs to do you, and so I waited to give you a lift."
"Who hired them—who was it?"
"A nice young chap by the name of Lynch."
"Jabez Lynch?"
"Yes."