In the silent night could be heard the clatter of horses’ hoofs. Jerry whirled around, gazing toward the entrance to the lane. Two horsemen, black hoods covering their faces, rode at a hard gallop toward the storage barn.
CHAPTER
11
PENNY’S CLUE
“The nightshirt riders!” Jerry exclaimed. “Duck down, everyone!”
Penny and the six lads from the Riverview Home crouched low, watching the approach of the two riders.
“One of those men may be Clem Davis, but I doubt it!” muttered Jerry. “They’re here to destroy the crated cantaloupes!”
“Jerry, we can’t let them get away with it!” Penny exclaimed. “Why not pelt them with melons when they get closer?”
“Okay,” he agreed grimly, “we’ll give ’em a spoiled cantaloupe blitz. Gather your ammunition, gang, and get ready!”
Screened from the approaching horsemen by trees and bushes, the young people hastily collected a few over-ripe cantaloupes which were small enough to throw with accuracy.
Unaware of the barrage awaiting them, the two hooded men rode into the yard.
“Now!” Jerry gave the signal. “Let ’em have it!”