Bobby turned on him suddenly. Big as Bender was, he was doing all he could to scare the rest of the garrison.
"You be still!" commanded Bobby. "If you won't fight, run; but if you stay with us, you keep your mouth shut and throw snowballs as hard as you can!"
And actually, big as he was, the pale faced Max did not reply!
Bobby whirled back to look over the parapet. His eyes danced and he was so excited that he could scarcely keep still.
"Now!" he cried. "Up and at them! Fire three each, and then drop down. And take aim—do take aim!"
Most of the boys obeyed him. The snowballs flew in a shower upon the advancing enemy. With the advantage of their position, the Rockledge boys pelted the on-comers well.
Belden's leader brought up his whole force before he attempted to reply to the fusillade. Letterblair knew that they would have to get nearer to pelt their missiles at the garrison with any precision.
Behind the wall of snow and rock, Bobby said:
"Now, three more snowballs. Get ready!" Each boy could hold two missiles in his left hand while he threw the third. The idea was to get in the fusillade and then drop out of sight before the enemy could return the compliment.
"All ready?" cried Bobby again. "Come on, now! Let them have it!"