The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-03-10
IL cOoEflGHT
~ Ac<ezN1c eco
CHAPTER xxvIII-contInued.
ILLUSTRATIONS b

You might make the jump" | said.
drawing q revolver from his belt. but
TO my best judgment there is hun
dred foot sheer drop right here. and It
would damage you some to take It.
See" and | tossed the weapon over
the edge. and we heard the sound as II
struck on the rocks below Il guess
you'll not try that trick. And so you
want me so badly you offer reward,
dead or alive? Isn't II rather my wife
you wantf"
Il don't believe she is your wife,"
mot after she gave you her wordl,
That Is hardly complimentary to the
lady, lieutenant. However | haven't
any reason to be Jealous OF you--No
reen knows you too well by this time;
you proved yourself a treacherous cur
IL Lewisburg Now turn aroundi"
There was no other weapon In his
belt. and 1t never occurred to me that
be might possess another secreted In
his jacket: nor did ! realize the des
perate hatred OF me which gave him
reckless courage. What to do with
the fellow obsessed my mind; pos
sessed nothing to securely bind him
with; could not leave him free. nor
had | any desire TO take him along
with me. He settled the problem him.
self Suddenly. his arms above his
head his eyes on mine. he kicked
viciously. the heavy shoe striking my
wrist. sending the revolver held
spinning into the grass dozen feet
away With almost the same move
ment he was Juggling at his jacket
pocket ! saw the CLEAN OF steel, and
gripped his fingers Just In time: my
other hand, numbed by the blow dealt
me. was, for the instant. useless, yet
struck him with my elbow full In the
face. ! had no grip that would hold.
yet II tangled the revolver In the folds
OF cloth so he could net draw. and,
with snarl OF bafIied rage. he tore
his fingers loose, and clutched at my
throat with both hands. Back and
forth we swayed on the very edge OF
the ravine, kept from plunging down
into the black depths by the lnterven.
ing fringe OF trees. savagely contend
ing for the mastery. That he was a
trained athlete acquainted with every
wrestler's trick. knew In a moment,
yet this gave me little fear-for this
was to be fight, no wrestling game.
Strong. quick, agile as the man was.
] never doubted ! was his match. and.
as | felt strength come back into my
hand and realized that I could clench
II again, felt coldly confident. Once.
twice. ! drove my knuckles into his
exposed face. compelling him to loosen
grip. and throw up his hands In pro-
lection, And then had him: not that
he was devoid of skill as boxer
sooth he possessed tricks OF defense
unknown 10 me-but his was the pro-
fessional knowledge OF the West Point
gym. while had graduated from the
rough school OF the camp: where he
had trained for points. for fancy mill.
ing. I had fought to win against des.
perate opponents. The difference told
for beat him down. caring nothing
for what blows reached me. so that
smashed in through his guard. and
landed Again and again | tented with
my right. and drove my left straight to
the exposed jaws gave him no time
10 cry out, TO even catch full breath
There was no sound to be heard a hun
dred feet away. became a machine
grimly determined. desire 60 punish
throbbing in my veins He fought cat
like and foul. but | only laughed, and
angered him. drove him out into
the open where | could see better.
was fighting now, with no thought OF
protecting myself. only OF hurting him
tried for knockout. but he blocked
me. clinglng desperately to my arm
tore loose once more. tiinging him
aside bewildered and GREATNESS.
Nov. Raymond" said. that trick
doesn't work second time. Stand VI
to it. you cowardl You wanted q
fight. and you are going TO have one
What The gun again? | guess not
He had ierked 1t out before
reached him. but my hand closed oyel
his-the hammer fell. digging into ths
flesh OF my thumb and the pain mad
dened me: he staggered back from
the impetus of my body. aud | tore
loose. the iron still imbedded In mJ
flesh. and struck him. The pear
handle crashed to the side Of his head
tearing my hand In jagged wound. bu
he went over. dropping to the grass a.
If dead He gave no moan, no sound
for an instant his limbs twitched. ant
then he lay there. curled into a ball
I stared down at him, painting. scarce
~ realizing Just what had occurred
Al instant before he had been fighting
like a tiger cat. now he was a motion
less, grotesque shadow. Bloc,
streamed from my lacerated hand, AM
i bound up the wound in neckerchie
stripped from around my throat, hard
ly conscious Of the pain. my breat
steadying. my muscles growing tenss
Then I bent down, and straightene
the man out, upturning his face to tn
moon. He was not dead-there was
beat to his pulse; but the cash on hi
head was an ugly one: be would hav