"Hullo, who's this?" came in English and the Rover boys recognized
Dan Baxter.
"Silence, on your life!" cried Tom.
"Tom Rover!" gasped the bully. "How came you --"
"Silence, Baxter! I have a pistol and you know I am a good shot.
Stand where you an and put both hands over your head."
"Will I stand? Not much!" yelled the bully, and flung his torch
straight at Tom. Then he turned and ran for the fort, giving the
alarm at the top of his lungs.
The torch struck Tom on the neck, and for the moment the youth was
in danger of losing his hold on the vines and tumbling to the
jagged rocks below. But then the torch slipped away, past Sam and
Aleck, and went hissing into the dark waters of the Congo.
By this time Cujo had reached the top of the cliff and was making
after Baxter. Both gained the end of the fort at the same time and
one mighty blow from Cujo's club laid Baxter senseless near the
doorway.
"Help! help!" The cry came in Dick's voice, and was plainly
heard by Sam and Tom. Then Captain Villaire appeared, and a rough
and tumble battle ensued, which the Rovers well remember to this
day.
But Tom was equal to the occasion, and after the first onslaught
he turned, as if summoning help from the cliff. "This way!" he
cried. "Tell the company to come up here and the other company
can surround the swamp!"
Several pistol shots rang out, and the boys saw a Frenchman go
down with a broken arm.
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