As there seemed to be nothing else to do, this plan was carried out. The crowd, however, had only gone a short distance when they literally ran into Shep, who had gone forward as already mentioned.
"Here is one of 'em now," shouted Carl Dudder, as he caught Shep by the arm. The next moment he received a blow in the chest that sent him reeling backward.
"Who is it?" asked several.
"Shep Reed. Stop him—he is running away!"
Carl was right, the doctor's son was doing his best to escape. But before he had gone a dozen steps Ham Spink, Ike Akley and Jack Voss were on top of him and had borne him to the ground. They did not treat him any too gently and he was kicked in the side and the breath was literally knocked out of him.
"St—stop! Do—don't ki—kill m—me!" he gasped, when he could speak.
"What are you doing here, Shep Reed?" demanded Ham, angrily.
"Came over after our things."
"How do you know we have your things?"
"Well, we thought you'd be just mean enough
