The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-09

sumpthin' that'n make you set up an think"
 He strode away and left the marveling Englishman, who, believing his compan- ion to be of unsettled mind, concluded to fortify himself with food, then wait tor such developments as were sure to follow. He ate his breakfast and en- joyed it hugely, then, helping himself to a fine cigar which had come from Afric' S stock, he sprawled on the sand and wait ed. In the course of half an hour the
 American returned. He looked at the
 empty plate, nodded complacently and took a seat
 Now" said he "as you've ct you grub, we'll talk" His lordship waved his per fecto gracefully, and Joe continued: "The frs day I spoke to yous civil an geIl- t'manly, you treat me like nigger or a ki-yote. It let that pass, cause oughtn | to have undid my lip; but when you rig up an kicked me you done a thing what 1 makes man see red an forgit the law. You give me two bruises. mister. one on my skin an one on a white mans pride, an now I'm a-goin' to give em back" :" Wait" said Lord Cranton, flushing to his ears. Aren't you a trif1e rash? For my thoughtless act in booting you 1 wrote a full apology, and am now prepared to apologize again-profusely. Isn't that suf-
 fdent?'
 "No," snapped Joe, 1t ain't. You can do yo' apologizin' afterwards; but befo' you do it, I'm a-goin' to give you the durndes' liolsin' what you ever got sence me an you was born.''
 A lump of anger rose in the Briton' s throat, but in spite of it a look of ad- miration crept into his eyes. One moment" he parleyed. Do you mean to say that 1t was your intention to trash me from the frst?' Joe nodded. "And you helped. me. up on that bit of wreckage and saved my life in order to carry out your extraordinary purpose?" Again Joe nodded and the Britons lips began to twitch into a smile. Will you tell me-" he asked, why you did not polish me off when first we landed, or this morning before we breakfasted?" Mister" Joe answered, without ap- parent understanding of the situation $ humor. Has night you was wet an cole; you want in no condition for O satisfac- kry fight an this mornin we both was hongry. l had my breckfus', an might of punched you then, but I aint the man to take advantage of a feller critter an bloody his noise on a empty stummick." :" Lord Crantons look of admiration visi- bly increased.
 By George, you're a brick" he laughed. "and as for your just desire to lick me, it's most uncivil in a gentleman 1 to keep you waiting" He rose and began to divest himself of .superf1uous clothing. but paused at a sudden thought, with his vest half off. Look here,' he said, you've been ripping chevalier in your code of honor, and it's only fair on my l part to acquaint you with fact. At l Cambridge I went in for boxing-strong. Since then I've kept in training, and am | rather fit. Unless you are a professional, you know, I'm apt to prove a trifie nasty" There was nothing boastful about the | tone. It was merely a generous, manly 1 statement of the case, and Joe was one l to appreciate it thoroughly
 l "Goodi" he answered. "I'll make things l interestin'. I'm glad you ain't no Lizzie- 1 boy, 'cause it wouldn't "a been no satis- 1 faction in a-lammin of you. The rules 1 of the game Is stand-up give an take . no wrastlin'-no clinchin'. Is that all 1 right?"
 "Oh, perfectly" smiled the Englishman. l and stood on guard.
 l The beach was an ideal battle-ground, l smooth and hard, with sufficient room be- l tween the waterlne and the edge of ] softer sand. Lord Cranton was stripped
 and ready for the fray, but now it was l the Kentuckians turn to pause. l Mister" he said, in a tone of inherent l chivalry, q reckon you forgot to take out l yo' single-barreled eyeglasses; but you l better do it, cause thatt one of the per- l tick'ler places that I'm goin to pick l for"
 'Thank you," laughed Lord Cranton as 1 he tossed his monocle aside. 'I think I'd
 rather shake your hands than trounce 1 you, but the row Is yours and I hope l you'll pardon me for doing the best l 1 can. Come on!'
 1 They were ready now for the test of | strength and pluck, the nobleman assum- 1 ing the stiff, ungraceful pose of an Eng l fish boxer, while his foe crouched low l of. nd fp f1o ner of his people.
 l Joe Rupert feited for an opening and l bounded in with whirlwind rush, but | the unexpected happened. The swing was
 | parried and white fist landed flush upon
 his mouth; then after moment Joe sat
 l up, spat blood, and looked with a sort of
 1 childish wonder at the man who hit him.
 "One!" smiled the Englishman Are
 ouy hurt?'
 Joe rose in silence and began once more
 ! to circle round and round. his gray eyea