The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-04-15

accepted that challenge II an old
one. II was still some hours 10 sun
set when the American cavalry
charged tho very center Of the
enemy's lines.
At the front rode Jack.
For moment binding smoke
filled his eyes. Then thru the
smoke he saw Brito's face. A. II he
drove. "Wait for me-" he yelled.
hut Brito did not wait. Before
the rush Of the maddened horses he
turned and fled. bending low upon
bis horses neck.
Jack glanced neither TO the right
nor % the left His eyes were fixed
only on his foe. Then he was out
Of tho ruck. crashing thru the
autumn woods.
and he saw his enemy clearer. He
was In no haste 10 bring his foe 10
bay. Drito knew where Alsgwa
was. Therefore Brito should lead
him 10 her.
The chase went on. The sun WIS
dropping toward tho west Already
veil OF deep blue shadow lay on
the land. Anriously Jack glanced
At the darkening west Soon he
must bring the other 10 bay or risk
losing him. Could he have Judged
wrong7 Could Brito be merely
fleeing 10 save himself. careless OF
AiagwaY Jacks heart sank nj the
thought. Should he close in and
have done with IT.
As he beritated Brito turned
abruptly aside. urging his horse
toward the crest Of a low ridge that
rose TO the north. An instant later
he vanished into the fringe OF
trees that crowned II.
Jack set his teeth hard. over the
crest OF the ridge he passed and
Numbered down the opposite slope.
Then In a moment the woods broke
sharply off, and he found himself on
the edge OF vide. open space. in
which stood a farm house. Before
II. Jus, drawing his horse TO a halt.
was Dri,o.
A crowd Of women came pouring
from tho farm house door. With
staring eyes Jack watched. counting
them as they came. Five women.
ss many children. then--then--last
OF all came Alsgwa.
Jack shouted aIoud-a great
shout that startled the sleepy
birds. He had found her. His
hour had come.
AT Jacks shout, Brito looked up.
Then he. too. cried out and settled
himself back In the saddle.
Slowly the two rode toward each
other. sabers In hand. Jack rein
ed back: his horse reared. striking
with its hoofs. and Brito's black
shied 10 the left and rushed by,
Brito's blade singing harmiessly in
the air as he passed.
Tho two men wheeled.
The two horses crashed. rearing
and biting. and over their heads
the swords OF the riders FLASHED.
Neither spoke.
Al last Jack began to tire. His
arms dropped and he began to
fight on the defensive. Then sud.
denly, when Jack thought he could
sustain no more. the attack slack
ened. Brito's arm Tagged for q
second. perhaps IN order 70 DE-
ceive; then he thrust again. up
ward. for the throat. Jack, worn
out, took q desperate chance. He
did not parry with his blade; In
stead he throw up his hilt and
caught Brito's point squarely upon
the guard. A hairs breadth to
the right or to the left and the
others sword would have pierced
his throat But that hairs breadth
was not granted. Brito's blade
stopped short. bent almost double.
and snapped short Bfto himself
swayed sideways. losing his bal.
ance for the moment Before he
could recover. Jack rose in his stir
rups and brought his blade down
with sweeping stroke against the
bare. brown neck that for an In
slant lay exposed. Deep the steel
cut. Beneath IL Brfto stiffened:
his sword dropped from his hand;
blood spouted from the severed
veins: he swayed and torpled--
dead.
Jack scarcely SOW him fall. Halt
fninting he cluns 90 his saddle.
white henesth him the b.y painted
and wheered. worn out by the
stress Of the fight
Slowly the mists cleared. Out of
them shonc Alagwa's face. white.
but glad with a great gladness.
Jack turned TO Alagwa and point.
ed 10 Brito's horse. Come" he
ordered. The fight 10 done. We
must 60"
Silently Alagwa mounted and 81.
lentiy the two rode up the slope.
across the moon-drenched woods
upon the crest. and down the long
backward trail 10 where the British
and Indian power had been shat.
tered
Jack did not speak. He dared
not. A sudden wondering panic
had fallen upon him. He had won
his bride nj last He had won her
with his heart. he had earned her
with his sword. She was his; he
had only TO put out his hand to
claim her.
hut he did not dare. Love had
throned her UNNECESSARILY above
him. Scarcely he dared look at
her as she rode beside him In the
white moonlight
Aiagwa. too. was silent. waiting.
This was her hour. and she knew
II. But he must tell her-tell her
what she already knew.
At last Jack found his tongue.
He spoke hurriedly. gaspingly. try