The masked ruffians had surrounded Frank and Bart, and were ready for the attack. Their leader gave the word:
“At ’em, boys! Hammer ’em! Knock ’em down and kick ’em!”
Then the assault was made with a rush that was hard to withstand. For a moment it seemed that Merry and Hodge would be swept off their feet, overthrown, crushed.
Hodge was a fighter. He had a temper like a cold chisel, and he did not fear anything that walked. Frank knew the caliber of his Fardale chum, and he was glad that Hodge happened to be with him.
A big fellow got Bart by the throat, after Hodge had sent two others reeling backward before cracking blows, and for some seconds it seemed that Frank’s friend would be overcome.
But Bart broke the hold of his assailant, gave him a terrible jab in the wind, and then smashed him under the ear, when he doubled over. That put him out of the fight for a few moments at least.
The others were ready to come at Bart again by this time. They were cursing in a manner that told they were genuine toughs of the slums.
“Kill der bloke!” snarled one.
“Give it to him, Bill!” howled the other.
“That’s right!” cried Hodge fiercely. “Come right on and give it to me! You’ll find me here!”