Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-31

out a crashing blow that caught Jean
on the side of the head and sent him
fat upon his back in the trail.
Half stunned. Gravois came to his
feet. He did not hear the shrill cry
Of terror from the twist In the trail.
He did not look back to see Melissa
standing there. But Dixon both saw
and heard, and he laughed tauntfngly
over Jeans head rs the little French
man came toward him again. more
cautiously than before.
1t was the first time that Jean had
ever rome into contact with science.
lie darted in again in his quick, cat
like way and received a blow that
dazed him. This time he held to his
feet.
.Rah. this is like striking a baby!"
exclaimed Dixon. what are you fight
ing about. Gravois? Is It n crime up
here to kiss a pretty grip
II am going TO kill you" said Jean,
as coolly as before.
There was something terribly calm
and decisive in his voice. He was not
excited. He was not afraid. His fin
gers did not go near the long knife In
his belt. Slowly the lnugh faded from
Dixon's face, and tense lines gathered
around his mouth as Jean circled about
him.
"Come. we don't want trouble like
this" he urged. I'm sorry-if Melissa
didn't like it."
~ am going to kill your repeated
Jean.
Il was the science OF the forest man
pitted against that OF another world.
For sport Jean had played with
wounded lynx. His was the quickness
Of sight, Of instinct-without the 9th
er's science-the qulckness of the great
loon that had often played this same
game with his rife fire. Of the sledce
dog whose ripping fangs carried death
SO quickly that eyes could not follow.
A third and n fourth time he came
within striking distance and escaped.
He half drew his knife, and ut the
movement Dixon sprang back until his
shoulders touched the brush. Smiling.
ly Gravois unsheathed the blade and
tossed It behind him in the trail. His
eyes were like a serpent's In Their
s%teadiness. and the muscles Of his body
were drawn as tight as steel springs,
ready to loose themselves when the
chance came.
There were tricks in his fighting as
we'll as in the others, and a dawning
Of 1t began to grow upon Dixon. He
dropped his arms to his side. inviting
Jean within reach. Suddenly the little
Frenchman Strengthened. His glitter
ing eyes shot from the Embellishments
face to the brush behind him, and n
piercing yell burst from his lips. In
voluntarily Dixon started, half turning
his face. and before he had come to his
guard GravOis flung himself under his
arms. striking with the full force Of
his body against his antagonists knees.
Together they went down in the
trail. There was only one science now
that Of the forest man. The 1.-the,
brown fingers that could have crushed
the life Of a lynx, fastened themselves
around the Englishman's throat. and
there came one gasping. quickly throt-
tied cry as they frightened in their neck
breaking grip.
II will kill you" said Jean again.
Dixon's arms fell Imply to his side.
his eyes bulged from their sockets.
his mouth was agape, but Jean did not
see. His face was uur.ru on lie others
shoulder, the whole lie of him in the
grip. He would not have raised his
head for q full minute longer had there
not come a sudden interruption-the
terrified voice of Melissa, the frantic
tearing of her hands at his hands.
HE Is dead" she shrieked. You
have killed him. Jean!"
Jean looked into Dixon's eyes.
HE is not dead" he said, rising and
going to her side. Come, my dear,
run home to Iowaka. I will not kill
him." Her slender form shook with
agonized sobs as he led her to the
turn in the trail. Run home to To-
waka," he repeated gently. Il will
not kill him, Melissa"
He went back to Dixon and rubbed
snow over the mans face.
MY God. but 1t was neal to it,. he
exclaimed, as there came a flicker of