“Oh, Ned! You left your sled!” suddenly exclaimed Hal, stopping short.
“Say——!” uttered Ned, taking a hasty step toward the crest again.
But too late. The crest was in possession of the South Beauforters, and at the moment they had discovered the clipper, deserted and lying in the ditch! Big Mike it was who hauled it forth, Big Mike it was who gleefully waggled its rope, Big Mike it was who whooped the loudest and the most maddening.
“Hey! You leave that sled alone!” yelled Ned, shaking his fist.
“You come and get it!” retorted Big Mike.
“I would if you were alone,” asserted Ned.
“Aw, I’ll give you another black eye,” gibed Mike, while Ned dodged one well-aimed shot, and caught a second on the leg.
“Just you wait till we put up this bob,” threatened Hal.
“Yes, ‘just wait,’” mocked Big Mike and his gang.