"Not a sound, now," he cautioned as they crouched beside him.

Stealthily they pushed aside the leaves that obscured their view.
Suddenly, from behind them a yell, blood-curdling, absolutely hair-
raising, rang out through the stillness. The three turned.

But it was too late. Breaking cover at the same instant, a half-
dozen husky young chaps charged on the surprised trio.

"Up and at them, fellows!" came a roar. "They're part of the gang!"




CHAPTER VII

THE FLYING EAGLE SCOUTS


For a minute or two it was hard for the three boys to understand
just what had happened. They were pounced upon and hurled roughly to
the ground, in spite of their violent struggles, and there they were
pommeled unmercifully. They fought back, but they were hopelessly
outnumbered. It was no adventure-story fight where the lone hero
engages a dozen husky brutes and by superior science and strength
lays his assailants out one by one.

Too bewildered to be really angry, the three found themselves pinned
to the ground. Then they were able to take stock of their attackers.