The Havre herald. [volume] (Havre, Mont.) 1904-1908, 1908-07-08

can make that duellng business rather
corky, I think. Come along out of
that, Ches, and We'll have 60 at It.
we got from that old josser in Canton?
I'll make Martin sit up! He's my vii
lain, you know. I've got to bash him,
Ches. It y if have to come for you
~ GA"
"Don't-don't you think you'd bet
ter rest bit, old chap" . ."-.a
"Rest? What for? Plenty Of time
to rest when you're dead. Come on"
They looked at the Boy where he
sWayed to the vessel swing and grinned
at them. Then Archer got up and went
out, feeling his way down the passage
because his eyes we're blinded for the
time ~M E
eve haven't got walking sticks"
said the Boy, frowning, cor even UNI
brellas. Oh, by jingo-!"
There was no reverence in the Boy,
or he would nat have ierked a couple Of
straight Chinese swords from their
sings in the wall without apology or
hesitation. For the chief had captured
those swords in red fight.
Drop those, you brat" said the
chief, rising. CD you want to get
pinked? They aren't foils with but
tons, you'll remember
The Boy thrust a shaped bronze hilt
into his palm. r
II wouldn't give it to Ches. But
you know little about this sort of
thing, don't your w
Incidentally the chief knew nearly
as much about sword play as he did
about engineering.
sYou cheeky young DEVIL" he said.
eff you're looking for trouble"
The Boy was quick and clever, and
he had all the grace of easy movement
But the chief had held his life with
his sword many times. Five watched
only the Boy, with bis quick breathing
young strength and his unclouded eyes.
| But Murray watched the chief.
| Back; feint and counter; swift
| step to the side; the clang Of steel once
and again. The Boys wrist-play was
pretty; but the science Of the elder mar
overmastered each trick and each dar
ing. attempt Murray drew in his lips
as he looked.
The Boys sword jerked upwards
spun across the table and ripped s
hole in the seat of Creed's chair. L
missed Greed by the eighth Of sec
ond as he fell out backwards over the
arm. The chief lowered his point.
81 never did that" he said.
NO" The Boy was staring. TN
best! 1t was a-sort Of contraction
Of the muscles in some way. I say
Creed, old man, I'm awfully sorry
couldn't help it. By Jove, though
I thought there was a streak Of red
hot lightning up my arm! .--
THAT'S the way it begins, isn't it?
he said. "supposing that spear ha4
been poisoned"
"Way what begins? Can't you tall
plain sense?"
"Tetanus," said the Boy. 49,
To Murray's taught eye the stiff
ness was already setting about the sof
Jaw and neck muscles.
did you never hear Of hiccough Q
, the nerves? You overdid 1t bit
that foolery on deck, that's all.
; you've had enough"
The chief spoke lightly. But MI,
ray went away from his words, an
turned his face to the warm, scente
? air blowing past the portfolio.
) The Boy shook himself, and 1aughet
. at was hauling Poddy round, the]
y suppose. I'll take it out Of you t,
t night, Poddy. Well /" -" Dull hound
t that's the way I've got to talk, yo
Y know-Dull hound, die"
: The light was fading in the ware
room. Reflection struck back from tt
~ curled wave upon the Boys alert fat
O and the chiefs half-closed eyes ar
high, drawn cheek bones. The babb
e Of little ripples sounded through Il
l portfolio and the jarrlng Of ste
:, sounded in the dusky room. Five me
: were thinking Of what the morrow
t. must bring the Boy. Under breath Oh,
e said over and many times over:
q couldn't 1t have been somethi1
D easier? Oh, couldn't it have been som
y thing easie-for him?"
e ~Getting done?" said the Boy, chez
lily. '.That was an awfully-ahv
I It was no more than sigh: for Il