Thus urged, Frost reluctantly joined the others, and Manton gave the word for them all to prepare for a grand rush.
“Make ready!” he cried. “We’ll jump on ’em all together when I give the word. Now! One, two, three—go!”
A shout of warning came from Necker.
“Skip,” he yelled. “Here comes a bunch of cops! You’ll all be pinched!”
Then he took to his heels, running as if his very life depended on it.
Some of the ruffians had leaped in to get at Merry and Bart. Others, including Manton and Frost, heard the warning words of Necker and did not charge. They cast frightened glances around, saw three policemen, with drawn clubs, followed by two other men, coming at a run, then promptly took flight after the manner of Necker.
Manton was one of the very first to run, and he ran as if his life depended on it, while Frost followed him closely.
Merry managed to leap on one of the ruffians, tripping him and flinging him to the ground.
Hodge seized another and had a sharp fight with him; but the fellow staggered Bart with a blow of his club and broke away.