They looked into each other’s eyes by the light of the lantern, which Frank held up, and they seemed utterly bewildered. Again and again Frank called.
Behind them there was a sound. They leaped up and turned. In the darkness two black forms loomed. The lantern was dashed from Frank’s hand and shattered on the rocks, from which it bounded, striking with a splash in the water below.
A moment later Frank and Bart were engaged in a desperate struggle with unknown assailants.
CHAPTER XIII
THE FIGHT IN THE DARK.
The attack came suddenly, and the boys were but poorly prepared for it. However, they promptly grappled with their assailants, who seemed trying to force them over the edge of the rocks into the water.
One of the unknown foes uttered a savage curse, but the other spoke not a word, grappling with Hodge and trying to fasten his hands on Bart’s throat.
“Fight for your life, Frank!” grated Bart. “We are trapped!”
He forced the man off and struck him with his fist. Still not a sound came from the unknown, while fingers seemed to sink into Bart’s shoulder with a grip of iron, drawing him close.
Again Hodge tried to break the hold of the fellow, but he could not succeed. With his left he smote the man in the face, but still those iron fingers held fast.