“We got ’em, boys! Come along!”
Out from an adjacent doorway poured a group of dark shapes, while Carson flung himself forward with another blow at Merriwell. Before it landed, however, Chip had recovered himself, and he realized the situation in a flash. Darting under the big fellow’s lunge, he snapped in a blow that caught Carson full in the mouth and jarred him to an abrupt stop.
“Against the wall, fellows!” he cried quickly. “We’ll have to fight them off!”
“It’s Carson’s gang,” exclaimed Billy, as he and Clancy ranged up beside Chip.
“You bet it is,” responded a voice, and the dark figures closed in on them.
It seemed that there was no hope for the three friends, as the crowd rushed in at them with furious blows. Chip, however, had hastily pushed back into an angle formed by the union of two house walls, where it was difficult for the Clippers to get at them.
This fact, together with the darkness, rendered the odds somewhat more even. Carson’s followers were confused by Merry’s quick move, and when they came shoving forward in a mass Clancy stepped out and let fly with his fists.
“Look out!” cried Ironton, trying to get back. “They’ve got clubs, boys! Watch out for ’em!”
“Quit your crowding,” exclaimed Bully Carson, to those behind.
He was flung forward, however, and Merry’s fist cracked into his right optic. Unable to see what had hit him, he staggered back with a howl.