Just then his glances caught the livid face of Smoky writhing on the ground. Stacy did not see the rope, but he realized at once that Griffin was there to do him harm. With another yell Stacy let go three shots into the air.
"Yeow!" howled the fat boy.
Professor Zepplin and the other two boys heard both the shots and the yells. Tad's little joke was working out better than they had thought. Laughing and shouting they put spurs to their mounts and rode at a fast gallop towards the spot where they decided Chunky had met his surprise.
Ned was the first to reach the scene, with the Professor following close after him, Walter Perkins and the grinning Billy Veal following hard behind. Young Perkins brought his pony up sliding.
"What—what—" he gasped. "Professor!"
Ned was out of his saddle in a flash.
"Put up your gun!" he shouted, as Chunky began making threatening motions with the weapon.
"That's right, Ned. Hold him!" cried Tad, as Ned threw himself upon the fallen bully.
"What's this? What's this?" demanded the Professor, gazing perplexedly at the sight.
"Nothing, only there were two of us planning to give Stacy a surprise. This is our old friend, Smoky Griffin, otherwise the fallen bully. Get up!" Smoky got sullenly to his feet.