The stranger grasped the high school boy by the throat, then as swiftly changed his mind, for someone was stirring in the tent. Up leaped the prowler, yet, swift as he was, Dick was also on his feet.
"Keep back!" warned the prowler, as he turned to run.
"You're mine—-all mine!" vaunted young Prescott, making a gallant leap at the unknown foe.
But that brag was uttered just a few seconds too soon.
CHAPTER VI
DANGER COMES ON THE HOOF
Smack!
Against Dick's face came the palm of the larger youth's right hand. It was the old, familiar trick of "pushing in his face." So quickly did that manoeuvre come that Dick, caught off his balance, was shoved backward until he tripped and fell.
Then the stranger vanished with the speed of one accustomed to flight through the woods.
His eyes full of sand from the fall, Dick struggled to his feet, rubbing his eyelids, just as Dave Darrin came running up.