Eli charged straight at the ringleader, shovel raised over his shoulder.
Beside the bearded brute stood a rat-faced little weasel who nearly jumped out of his skin at the sight. "Boss, he's coming for you!"
The big man's face twisted with contempt. "The hell do you think I am, some pushover? Die, you little punk!"
Eli was already on top of him. The big man brought his rusty old spade up to meet the attack, crossing his left axe to block while sweeping the axe in his right hand horizontally toward Eli's midsection. If that strike connected, the kid would be cut in half.
