Part 17 (1/2)

”The nights.h.i.+rt 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 hors.e.m.e.n 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!”

Taking careful aim, he hurled his own melon with all his strength. It found its mark, striking one of the men with stunning force, nearly causing him to fall from the saddle.

Penny and the boys from the orphans' home concentrated their efforts on the other horseman. While many of their shots were wild, a few went true.

One struck the horse which reared suddenly on her hind legs, unseating the rider.

”Give it to him!” Jerry shouted, observing that the fallen man was unhurt.

Handicapped by lack of ammunition, there followed a brief lull in the battle, as the young people sought to replenish their stock. Seizing the opportunity, one of the night riders galloped away. The other man, who had lost his horse, scrambled into the cab of the loaded melon truck.

”He's going to drive off!” Penny cried. ”Let's stop him!”

She and Jerry ran toward the truck, but they were too late. The giant motor started with a roar, and the heavy vehicle rolled out of the yard.

Just then, Mrs. Davis came running from the cabin.

”My melons!” she screamed. ”They've taken my melons! Oh, I was afraid something like this would happen!”

”Maybe I can overtake that fellow,” Jerry called to her. ”Ride herd on these kids until I get back!”

As he ran toward his own car, Penny was close at his heels. She slid into the seat beside him and they raced down the lane.

”Which way did the truck go?” Jerry demanded. ”I was so excited I forgot to notice.”

”It turned right. No sign of it now, though.”

”The fellow is running without lights to make it harder for us to follow him.”

Jerry and Penny both were hopeful that they could overtake the truck, which carried a heavy load. However, they had been delayed several minutes in getting started, and as the miles fell behind them, they caught no glimpse of the man they pursued.

”He must have turned off on that little side road we pa.s.sed a quarter of a mile back,” Penny declared in discouragement. ”Switch off the engine a minute.”

Bringing the car to a standstill, Jerry did as instructed. Both listened intently. From far over the hills they thought they could hear the m.u.f.fled roar of a powerful motor.