CHAPTER XXIII 

THE LOSS OF THE RAFT 

It was so dark under the trees that for the moment Snap did not recognize his chum. Then he uttered an exclamation of commingled wonder and alarm. 

"Let go of him!" he cried. "Let go, I say!" and he caught Ham Spink by the arm. 

"Capture him, fellows!" shouted Carl Dudder, and at once several of the Spink crowd fell upon Snap. 

But Snap was not to be made a prisoner thus easily, and hitting out with all his might he sent Jack Voss reeling to the ground. Then he hit Ike Akley in the nose. 

"Ouch!" yelled Ike, and put up his hand, to withdraw it covered with blood. "He has broken my nose!" And he fell back in alarm. 

A rough and tumble struggle ensued, in which blows were given and taken freely. Snap was struck in the breast and in the cheek, but not seriously hurt. In the melee Shep managed to squirm free from those who held him and he quickly ranged up by his chum's side. 

"What did you say about our outfit?" he panted. 

"We've got it," answered Snap. "Come, we had better be going." 

"Don't let them get away!" yelled Ham Spink, and made a jab for Snap. But just then the doctor's son hit out desperately and the rich youth received a blow in the mouth that loosened two teeth and caused him to retreat in a hurry. 

For the moment the enemy were disconcerted, and taking advantage of this, Snap and Shep started on a run through the dark forest, moving as swiftly as the condition of the ground would permit. The Spink crowd came after them, shouting to them to stop. Carl Dudder called out that he would shoot if they did not halt. 
Who said he would shoot them?
. Carl Dudder called out that he would shoot if they did not halt. 