arely on the ground. As he did so a little
branch snapped. Dolph, startled, turned his head. Before he could lift
a finger Jim was upon him like a panther.

There was an indistinct cry of alarm.

_Spang!_

Off went a revolver, discharged at random, and the two were struggling
in a confused heap under the low boughs.

It was a short fight. A third figure launched itself into the melee.
Though not nearly so strong as Jim, Budge alone would have been a good
match for any average man, and the two of them together speedily
vanquished Dolph. A firm hand was pressed over his mouth and he was
relieved of his automatics. Finding that his captors were not disposed
to injure him, he soon ceased his struggles.

Silence again. One of the would-be plunderers and the weapons of both
were in the boys' hands. What should they do next?

"Hi! Hi! Scat, you brutes! Get a move on!"

Brittler's voice shattered the midnight stillness as he came, driving
the sheep before him. From their covert the boys could look across the
pasture and see the black, leaping shapes fast drawing nearer. It was
high time to prepare to meet their second foe.

"Throppy, Whittington, Filippo! Come here! Quick!"

They came, Percy in the rear, his knees shaking.

"Budge, can the four of you handle this man if I let go?"

"Easy!"

"Keep his mouth shut till I tell you he can open it!"

"All right!"

Lane's hand replaced Jim's over Dolph's lips. The other three grasped
him wherever they could find a chance. It would not have taken much to
shake off Percy's trembling grip, but the prisoner was content to remain
quiet.

There was a patter of hoofs; the sheep were coming. Soon they were
flitting by the ambush, shying off as their keen senses warned them of
possible danger. Again they scattered toward the northwest end of the
island. After them danced Brittler, roaring with anger.

"What are you waiting for, you numskull?" he cried. "Why didn't you
shoot? I heard you fire once some minutes ago, and thought you might
have been aiming at a stray one. I had almost the whole flock bunched
right before me. You couldn't get a better chance if you waited a week.
Now I've got to waste another half-hour chasing 'em round again. What's
the matter with you, anyway? Why don't you speak?"

He was within five yards of the silent group under the spruces when
Spurling's voice rang sharply out:

"Halt there!"

At the same instant he flashed the ray from his electric