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

snapping, his head held low and his shoulders hunched to protect his jaw. This time he avoided rushing tactics and began to spar. With double feint he deceived Lord Cranton and placed a blow on the very spot whence the monocle had been removed; but the Briton coun- tered nicely, once more laying out the tough KentuclSian.
 Have you had enough?' inquired his lordship. If you have, l am ready with that apology"
 Not muchl'' snarled Joe. I'm agoln' to lick you like l said 1 would so you better stop talkin' an watch the game. We've got till supper time, an If I haven't whipped you then, we'll build a fire to see by
 Lord Cranton stared in undisguised amazement. Here was man .outclassed at every point, yet possessed of immortal grit and an animal strength to accept d triple share of punishment but not defeat so long as breath and the power of battle fingered in his frame. To conquer this man he must do so quickly, mercilessly. and toward that end he squared himself for aggressive action. His lead Was good a chest blow dealt with all his muscle and his weight, but Joe withstood it and landed on his lordship's ribs with a vici- ous short-armed jolt. The Briton reeled and grew gray about the lips.
 Neat he gasped, md once more stood on guard.
 Then up and down the smooth, white beach the contest ragged each earnest in his work each striving to batter down his man. in spite of the strange and mu- tual admiration which grew with every Jab and uppercut In actual points the American was getting far the worst of it. but the Englishman breathed hard and, even with Cambridge training, was con vinced that the mill would never last till supper time.
 The sun poured down with increasing power and the salt sweat rolled from the glistening> bodies freely. The English mans left eye was in such a state that his monocle would not be placed therein for the space. of many days, while Joe was red with crimson stream that oozed from his mouth and nose. Even their mothers would not have known them then. but, happily these matrons were spared of the unlovely sight
 No longer could science be employed. The two men fought as their skin-clad forebears battled in the age of stone, flercely, savagely, each seeking to stun vitality by raw, unartful strength, yet falling because of the others racial germ of pluck.
 But the end was in sight at last. Joe drew long, deep breath and gathered his powers for a final staggering rush, Lord Cranton watched him coming and tried to raise his guard, but his muscles refused the strain and his arms sank quivering to his sides. His limbs were shaking, wabbling at the knees, and SUD- porting his weight by the force of will alone. He was all in, and knew it. but he did not finch
 Joe smiled and set himself for A. Knockout blow. Before him, undefend- ed, waited the point of a strong, aristo- cratic jaw. One swing would send his enemy crashing to the beach and wipe away an insult from the Slate of pride. And yet there was another way, less brutal, but more complete. The hand shot out-not the hard, doubled fist but fingers that gripped an unresisting body and spun 1t half around; then-Joe proceeded earnestly to kick his lord- ship-twice.
 With a cry of fury Lord Cranton wheeled about, and, with his last re- maining ounce of strength, struck vfci- ously at his conqueror's swollen face; then he shivered and sank exhausted on the sand.
 He was sleepy now, and seemed to doze away, with the thunder of break CTS pounding in his ears. while he dreamed dream of Bunker and Ma1u- ba hills. He was beaten-not by skill or courage, but by a brother animal of his own proud fighting blood, an animal hardened in the heat and cold of the western plains, training un- known at Cambridge and one which units man to acknowledge any living master save himself.
 Whom his lordship awoke his first sensations were of heat and cold; the one was fiery trickle from flask's neck forced between his teeth the other a douche of cool, fresh water poured gently from the spout of cof- fee pot, and both were vastly pleasing to milford. He opened his one avail able eye, while his lips twitched faint ly into twisted smile.
 "Jolly old scrimmage. eh? Ripping! And now concerning that apology-I made of myself no end of silly ass. and want to say"
 LAW. you shut up" commanded Joe. and Lord Cranton laughed. (CONTINIJIcD ON pAGn oaA