"Stay where you are, Piper," interrupted Hackett, fiercely. "We didn't roll that snowball against your pile of logs."
"Yes—better keep back!" warned Bob.
The three dark figures continued to advance.
Seven arms drew back and as many snowballs were sent spinning through the air.
The invaders, unprepared for so sudden a response, fell back in confusion.
"You'll pay dearly for this," yelled Piper.
A second hail of missiles, sent with precision, whirled against them. Then, before they could make a move, others landed with thuds and thumps, until the young men were forced to beat a hurried retreat.
Flying before the fusillade, Piper and his companions struck out for the lake, with a shower of snowballs rattling about them. Their anger and chagrin at finding themselves helpless before the machine-like attacks of the boys was unbounded.
"Oh, my, what a rout," puffed Nat, with a delighted grin. "Ha, ha! Guess Piper must be about boiling over."
"Hello! My gracious—what's that?"