his friends.

So the messengers were sent to the other drinking places in town.
Word was passed for a night raid "by representative citizens,"
as these topers called themselves.

Men of the same turn of mind soon came flocking in from other
drinking resorts.

"Don't talk here about what you're going to do for the good of
the town," Miller ordered. "Remember, I've got to be kept out
of this. My position is a delicate one, you understand."

Soon after midnight the disreputable army of vengeance seekers
was straggling down the road. Talking had ceased. These drink-driven
wretches were hunting for the camp of Dick & Co. and they were
going to attack it in force.

CHAPTER XXII

UNDER THE STING OF THE LASH

When the crowd reached the camp of the high school boys all was
silent there. From within the tent came the sounds of the heavy
breathing of the sleepers.

"Everything is ready, and there isn't even a dog on the place!"
was the exultant word passed back.

"Bunch up! Get in close and surround the tent," ordered another
voice. "We want some of you men behind the tent, so that none
of the youngsters can slip away from us. Come along, now. Don't
talk! Don't make so much noise. Easy, now!"

Thus the figures continued to gather, like so many evil spirits
of the night.

Here and there one of the rabble fell over something in the dark,
or tripped over a root or stone as he moved about among the shadows.

In the intervals of absolute silence the steady breathing of the
six Gridley High School boys could still be heard, until one man
in the rabble, less sober than the others, fell over a packing-case,
barking his shins and giving vent to a yell of pain.

"What was that?" asked Greg Holmes, waking and rising on one elbow.

Outside all was quiet again.

"Hey, Dave, get up!" Holmes called, shaking the arm of Darry,
who lay asleep on the adjoining cot. "I heard something going
on outside. We'll both get up, light a lantern, and-----"

"Yes! Get up and come out!" jeered a voice near the tent door.
"Come out and have a look at us. The reputable citizens of Fenton
are to chase you out of town---and we'll do it, after we get through
with teaching you manners!"

"Fellows! Hustle!" shouted Greg, leaping from his cot. "Get
ready for trouble. All the topers and loafers who ever knew Miller
are outside to avenge the beating that Miller received from Dick!"

"We'll show you!" came a hoarse yell,