Up jumped the nine youngsters and saw that Hi Letterblair and his crew was now very near the island.
"Shoot!" yelled the captain of the Belden boys.
They were at a disadvantage, however. They had to throw up, while the Rockledge garrison threw down.
The missiles from the island-fortress descended upon the charging enemy with considerable force. Before the Beldens could return the fire, Bobby and his crowd dropped out of sight again.
The Beldens cheered. Bobby popped up, saw that they were still advancing, and gave the order for another volley.
"At them again!" he shouted.
Fred was yelling his battle-cry like a crazy boy, and Shiner and Sparrow were scarcely less excited. In the midst of one of Fred's vociferous shouts, slam came a snowball right into his mouth!
"Oh! oh! that was a soaker!" cried Sparrow.
Fred was hopping mad. He wanted to keep on firing at the enemy when Bobby gave the command to dip down for another supply of ammunition.
"Obey the captain!" bawled Howell Purdy.