The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1906-10-02
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: AT TRAILS END s
s By WALTER SCOTT &
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
By WALTER SCOTT

You cheat The accusation burst
like a bullet from Picard's hot lips.
There was a scraping of feet as the
bystanders got hurriedly out OF the
way. The table went over with a
crash and Picard had lodged wild
swing Black Henri made at him with
heavy chair Straight and quick,
like a panther, leaped Picard, and
both men went to the floor, with
their hands seeking each others
throats.
The men were deadly enemies, and
at least one fought to kill. A half
moment of fierce struggling, and then
Picard leaped lightly to his feet.
Il win" he cried breathlessly, and
the crowd agreed with him, for more
than one had seen the disliked Black
Henri steal the ace. The defeated
man rose painfully to his feet and
without word turned and walked to
the door. One malignant look he
gave Picard, then slouched out into
the storm. Picard let him go, for
he was happy with the thought that
Jules objections would be withdrawn,
He could marry the girl he loved and
give her the protection he had prom
Used the day when she had leaned
close to his breast and begged him
to save her from Black Henri, to
whom her father had promised her in
marriage
Black Henri had known she loved
Picard, and he was determined to get
his rival out of the way by fair means
or foul. He was skilled with cards,
and with Jules consent had chal-
lenged Picard to game In which the
unusual stakes were to be the heart
and hand of Jules daughter. In des-
peration he had cheated and had lost.
But this man was pirate, a thief,
and would not accept defeat so easily.
He skunk out of the Trails End sa-
loon caressing his bruised face and
cursing Picard
loon, on the rough trail binding
storm was raging. Suddenly out of
the entwined snowy haze dark
smudge appeared and grew more
sharply outlined, till at last it devel-
oped into six dogs and sledge, be-
side which strobe man,
They topped a rise, and started
down an incline. Presently the out
fit reached the bottom and the man
uttered cry of delight, for before
him stretched the broad level of the
frozen Mackenzie, swept partially
clean of snow by the furious winter
winds. The man stopped his team
reluctantly, The dogs must have
rest. He took off their harness, and
then turned the sledge up sideways
ON one runner for windbreak, while
the dogs shook themselves, rolled
over and bit into the snow to satisfy
their thirst. There on the bleak
river bank man and beast lay quiet
In the shelter of the sledge.
L
trail of Black Henri. whom he learned
an hour after the fight. had started
for Jules home to abduct the girl. 1t
was said that Picard had the best dog
team in the great north, for Don,
the leader, was a descend ant of a
tried race of trail dogs. Black Henri
had the advantage in the start, but
his dog team was not so speedy and
powerful as Picard's.
After a short rest Picard rose. The
disturbed dogs snarled and snapped
viciously at one another. Picard
kicked them into submission, and
hurriedly buckled on the harness.
Crack! Like a pistol shot the whip
spoke the command The team sprang
out toward the river led by Don, but
before they reached 1t Picard saw a
dog team far away to the left, also
heading for the river. There was no
doubt but that it was Black Henri
Picard was sure he could overhaul
him now if the ice held
Nlle-Nlle! ulOH, bOH! lie man
cried, and his heart was filled with
savage exultation, for they were gain
ing rapidly upon the outfit ahead.
Nearer and nearer the great bounds
of Pieard's trained team brought
him to his enemy.
Suddenly Don saw the dogs of the
preceding outfit, and he yelped at his
mates and leaped forward as If in an
swer to a challenge.
Black Henri heard the canine voice
and looking back, saw his pursuer for
the first time He leaned forward, and
vainly tried to get more speed out of
his tired team, Suddenly his eyes
distended with horror, for he saw a
deadly danger Then he smiled, for
he saw a chance to cheat again.
Crack! went his whip, and the leader