It was Snap who was calling, and in another minute he appeared and confronted the crowd that was holding Shep a prisoner.
CHAPTER XXIII
THE LOSS OF THE RAFT
It was so dark under the trees that for the moment Snap did not recognize his chum. Then he uttered an exclamation of commingled wonder and alarm.
"Let go of him!" he cried. "Let go, I say!" and he caught Ham
Spink by the arm.
"Capture him, fellows!" shouted Carl Dudder, and at once several of the Spink crowd fell upon Snap.
But Snap was not to be made a prisoner thus easily, and hitting out with all his might he sent Jack Voss reeling to the ground. Then he hit Ike Akley in the nose.
"Ouch!" yelled Ike, and put up his hand, to withdraw it covered with blood. "He has broken my nose!" And he fell back in alarm.
A rough and tumble struggle ensued, in which blows were given and taken freely. Snap was struck in the breast and in the cheek, but not seriously hurt. In the melee Shep managed to squirm free from those who held him and he quickly ranged up by his chum's side.
"What did you say about our outfit?" he panted.