The Washington herald., 1912-07-21

dozen feet square. win two bunks, ssv-
eral chairs. table, and sheet iros
stove behind which was piled q sup
ply of wood. DeBar pointed to shelf
on which were number of TN boxes.
their covers weighted down by chunks
Of wood.
Grub he said.
And Philip, pointing to the wood,
added, "Fire-hre and grub
There was something in his volce
which the other could not fail 10 under
stand, and there was an uncomfortable
silence a. Philip put fuel into the stove
and DeBar searched among the food
cans.
Heres bannock and cooked meat
Frozen" he said, "and beans"
! He placed tins of each on the stove
and then sat down beside the roaring
FIRE, which was already beginning to
diffuse heat. He held out his twist
ed and knotted hands, blue and shaking
with cold, and looked up at Philip, who
stood opposite him.
He spoke no words, and yet there was
something in his eyes which made the
latter cry out softly. and with feel
ing which he tried to hide: DeBar,
wish to God it was overw
so do l." said DeBar.
He rubbed his hands and twisted
! them until the knuclles crooked.
I'm not afraid and I know that
you're not Phil" he went on, with his
eyes on the top of the stove, but wish
it was over, just the same Somehow.
I'd Almost rather stay up here another
year or two :han-kill YOU
Kill mel" exclaimed Philip, the old
fire leaping back into his veins
DeBar's quiet voice, his sxtraordin-
ary self-conhdence, sent q flush of an
ger into Philips face
You're talking to me again as If
| were a child, DeBar. My instructions
were to bring you back. dead or alive
and I'm going tor
I'VE won't quarrel about II. Phil,
replied the outlaw as quietly as before
"Only | wish il wasn't you Tn going
to fight. I'd rather kill half a dozen
like the others than you
Il see," said Philip, with a perccpt-
tible sneer in his voice. You're try
ing to work upon my sympathy so that
I will follow your suggestion-and 60
back. Eh,"
You'd be coward If you did that"
retorted DeBar quickly. How are We
going to settle il, Phill'
Philip drew his frozen revolver from
IT'S holster and held it over the stove.
IF wasn't crack shot, and couldn't
center a two-inch bulrs-eye three times
out of four At thirty PAGES, I'd say pis-
tolls"
81 can't do that said DeBar unhes-
itatingly. but / have hit a wolf twice
out Of FIVE shots. It'll be a quick. easy
way. and we'll settle it with our re-
volvers. Going 20 shoot to kill
mo, if / can help it In the ex-
citement a shot may kill, but I want to
take you back alive. so I'll wing you
once or twice first"
Il always shoot to kill" replied De-
Bar, without lifting his head ANY,
word you'd like to have sent home.
PhI1"
In the others silence DeBar looked
Il mean it, he said. in q low earn
est voice. Even from your point of
view ii might happen. Phil, and you've
should happen to me you'll find letter
in my pocket. want you TO write to
to her-an' tell her I died in-an acci-
dent. viii your"
Yes" replied Philip. As for me.
you'll find addresses in my pocket, too.
Let's shake
Over the stove they gripped hands,
My eyes hurt said DeBar. Its
the snow and wind, guess Do you
mind a little sleep-after We eat? I
haven't slept a wink in three days and
nights"
Sleep until you're ready" urged
Philip. II don't want TO fight bad
eyes"