Thus held between two fires, the Beldenites were driven back around the island, and out of shot from the fortress. Captain Gray ordered his army to spread out and hold them at bay.
They had dragged out from the shore thousands of snowballs. The Rockledge party had ammunition enough to last for hours, both in the fort and on the sleds.
Captain Gray hurried into the fort. Max had let the prisoner up and the boys were all dancing about excitedly.
"You fellows did fine!" cried Barry Gray, his eyes shining. "Max! you're all right! You held them off in fine shape."
"They gave us a hard rub, Barry," said the big fellow, coolly. "And I yanked this chap inside when they charged."
His statement was perfectly correct—as far as it went; but for Max to accept praise for the defense of the fort struck most of the smaller boys dumb. Not Fred Martin, however.
"Well I never!" gasped the red-haired boy. "Will you listen to that? Talk about the brass cheek of him!"
"What's the matter with you, Ginger?" demanded Max, scowling.
"Say! do you think you can get away with it?" shouted Fred. "You getting thanked for holding this island? Why, Barry," he cried, turning on the captain, with blazing eyes, "that big simpleton wanted to give up the fort and run away when he saw the Bedlamites coming. Yes he did! I'll leave it to Sparrow and the rest of the boys."
Sparrow shouldered his way to the front. "That's right, captain," he said. "Max was having a fit of shivers here, and wouldn't give orders. Bobby fought us."