The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-04-03

quer him, show him who was the bet
ter man!
I wrenched aside, breaking that
strangle-hold by sheer strength and
wrestling skill Again we gripped,
face to face, our muscles straining as
we sought advantage of hold. My
hunting shirt gave, tearing apart like
brown paper, giving me scant Sec
ond as his grasp slipped. 1t was
enough, had him locked at my hip;
yet strain as l would his weight baf-
fed every effort. Back and forth we
struggled, crushing the bushes under
foot, our breath coming in sobs, every
muscle aching under the awful strain.
Neither dared loosen finger grip. Our
eyes glared into each other with saw
age hate. How it would have ended
God knows, had the fellow not slipped
on the brush root, so that the added
weight of my body flung him head
long Even as he went over, bearing
me along with him. his head crashing
into the side of a tree as he fell, his
lips gave vent to one wild cry. Then
he lay still, motionless, huge black
shape outstretched On the ground in
the CHASTITY light of dawn
I got to my knees, scarcely realizing
what had happened, peering down into
the upturned face, one hand raised to
strike if the man moved. There was
not a motion. | bent lower-the eyes
were closed, blood dripped from his
hair. / turned the head, SO as to bet
ter perceive the features-surely this
was not the man for whom l had been
mistaken! He was big enough, but
marked by dissipation, and wore a
black mustache. AS / live there was
not a resemblance. Who was he
then? l got to my feet and searched
out my rife in the tangled brush.
Some noise reached me-the splash of
water, the echo of far-off voice. They
were coming, the Indians; they had
heard his last cry; they were already
crossing the ford. l hesitated an in
slant, staring down at him, listening
intently that l might be sure, then
turned and ran swiftly toward the
clearing. 1t was already gray dawn,
and even in the dense woods l could
see to avoid the trees. Behind me
rang out wild whoop of savagery;
they had discovered the body! 1
glanced back across my shoulder, as I
ran; burst forth into the clearing, and,
reckless of all else, raced for the
house. fell once, my foot slipping on
hummock, but was up instantly,
plunged at the door, and leaped with
in. Brady caught me, thrust the wood
en- bars down into their sockets, and
half dragged me over to the bench.
'What-is it," are they coming?" he
asked
1t was-darker in there than outside,
and I could barely perceive his face.
Yes" l painted. They are just be-
hind me. Il had to run for it. Get
get to the stations: Tll-Ill tell you
later what happened out there"
He left me. and my eyes. accustom-
ing themselves TO the gloom. began TO
discern objects in the room. | got to
my feet, still breathing heavily from
exhaustion. yet with brain active.
Brady was close beside me, kneeling
on the floor, his eye at an opening be-
tween the logs.
See anything?"
There are figures moving at the
edge of the wood" he answered, with
out glancing around but they don't
come out so l can tell what they look
like. The way your clothes are torn
you must have had a fght ~
Il did-with the big fellow in a red
jacket. He's lying out there with a
cracked skull. That is why those fell
lows don't know what to do-they're
short leader" :
l got to my feet, and stared about,
seeking mademoiselle. She was be-
yond the table, and our eyes met
'You-you killed him, monsieur"
Il do not know; | threw him, his
head struck against a tree, and he lay
still I had to run: only he vas not