"One more toss," said the Frenchman.
Hal stepped close to him.
"The boy is unconscious," said the Frenchman, and added: "Then we'll
take you."
He nodded to the others in signal that it was time to toss; but before he
could move, Hal had seized him by the wrist and whirled him around.
"You heard me," the lad said quietly. "I meant what I said."
He gave the Frenchman's arm a quick twist and the man dropped his hold on
the blanket. The Frenchman's hold on the blanket released, the lad upon
it tumbled to the ground, where he lay still. Instantly several others
bent over and gave their attention to bringing him to. The man whom Hal
had confronted turned on him angrily.
"What do you mean by that?" he demanded.
"I told you to let the boy alone and I meant it," said Hal quietly.
For answer the Frenchman struck at him. Hal dodged the blow and stepped
back. He would have avoided a fight if possible. But the Frenchman
stepped after him and struck again. Again Hal dodged and the blow passed
harmlessly over his head. The lad struck out quickly with his right and
caught the Frenchman a hard blow upon the side of the neck. Big man
though he was, the Frenchman toppled over.
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