The Detroit times., 1912-08-05
PHIuPSTEELE
Notwithstanding
1LANEs OLIVER CURwOOD
Author Of The Dorar Tnl IheiiOoOr Of thebx Saosdc.
~ cspyrsA. isii. TAs BoSS.- Merrill csnpAan
CspyrisAl iSil. rAs BObSs-Asrrill Company

lava.
The cabin doomed up amid shelter
OF spruce like black shadow, and
when they climbed up the bank TO II
they found the snow drifted high un-
der the window and against the door.
He's gone-Pierre. mean" said
DeBar over his shoulder as he kicked
the snow away He hasn't come back
from New Years at yort Smith.
The door had no lock or bolt. and
they entered. Ii was yet too dark for
them TO see distinctly, and DeBar
struck a match. ON the table was a
tn oil lamp. which he lighted, II re.
vealed a neatly kept interior about a
dozen feet square with two hunks.
several chairs, table, and sheet
!ron stove behind which was piled
supply OF wood. DeBar pointed 10
shelf on which were a number OF tin
boxes. their covers weighted down by
chunks Of wool.
Scrub" he said.
And Philip. pointing to the WOOD
added, "Fire-fire and grub"
There was something in his voice
which the other could not fail TO un.
derstand, and there was an uncom-
Portable silence as Philip put fuel into
the stove and DeBar searched among
the food cans.
Here's hammock 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 10
diffuse a heat. He heald out his
twisted 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
feeling which he tried 10 hide; De
Bar | wish TO God IL was overt
so do l.. said DeBar
He rubbed his hands and twisted
them until the knuckles cracked.
I'm not afraid and | know that
you're not. Phil" he went on, with his
eyes on be top of the stove. but |
wish II vas over, just the same. Some
how I'd Almost rather stay up here
another year or two than-kill you"
XIII me-" exclaimed Philip, the old
fire leaping back into his veins.
DeBar's quiet voice. his extraord
mary self-confidence sent a flush OF
anger into Philips face.
You're talking to me again as II I
were a child, DeBar My instructions
we're to bring you back, dead or alive
and I'm going TOT
I'VE won't quarrel about it, Phil"
replied the outlaw as quietly as before
Only | wish it wasn't you I'm going
to fight, I'd rather kill half-a-dozen
like the others than you"
Il see said Philip, with a percepti.
bic sheer in his voice. You're trying
10 work upon my sympathy so that |
viii follow your suggestion-and go
back Eh?''
You'd be a coward If you did that"
retorted DeBar quickly. How are we
going 10 settle It, Phil?"
Philip drew his frozen revolver from
Its hoster and held ii over the stove
IF | wasn't a crack shot. and
couldn't center two-inch bulrs-eye
three times out OF four at thirty PAGES,
I'd say pistols"
81 can't do that" said DeBar I'M
hesitatingly but | have hit a wolf
twice out of five shots. It'll be a
quick, easy way, and well settle IL
with our revolvers. Going TO shoot
10 kill?"
mo. If l can help it, In the excite
ment shot may kill. but | want TO
once or twice first"
Il always shoot to kill" replied De-
Par. without lifting his head. ANY
word you'd Like to have sent home,
Phil?'
In the others silence DeBar looked
up.
II mean It, he said. in low earn
est voice. Even from your point OF
view II might happen, Phil, and you've
got friends somewhere II anything
should happen to me you'll find let
ter in my pocket | want you TO write
TOTO her--an' tell her died in-an
accident. Will you?"
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 It's
the snow and wind, | guess. Do. you
mind little sleep--after we eat?
haven't slept wink in three days and
nights
Sleep until you're ready urged
Philip. Il don't want to fight bad
eyes"
They ate. mostly in silence, and
when the meal was done Philip care
fully cleaned his revolver and oiled
II with bear grease, which he found In
bottle on the shelf
(contInuedi.