Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-02-10
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CHAPTER xxviIi-contInued.


you might make the jump" said,
drawing revolver from his belt, but
to my best judgment there Is q hun.
dred foot sheer drop right here, and It
would damage you some to take 1t.
See," and | tossed the weapon over
the edge. and we heard the sound a. It
struck on the rocks below. Il guess
you'll not try that trick. And 90 YOU
want me SO badly you offer a reward,
dead or alive? Isn't it rather my wife
you want2'
Il don't believe she is your Wife"
mot after she gave you her word!
That is hardly complimentary to the
lady. lieutenant However l haven't
any reason to be jealous of you-No-
reen knows you too well by this time;
you proved yourself treacherous cur
in Lewisburg. Now turn around!"
There was no other weapon in his
belt, and it never occurred to me that
he might possess another secreted In
his Jacket; nor did I 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 I 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 a dozen feet
away. With almost the same move
ment he was tugging 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 1t tangled the revolver In the folds
OF cloth SO he could not draw. and,
with snarl of baff1ed 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
anto the black depths by the interven-
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 | could clench
1t 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 to 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. had fought to win against des-
perate opponents. The difference told.
i
tor what blows reached me, SO that
}mashed 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
TO cry out. to even catch full breath.
There was no sound to be heard hun
dred feet away. became machine.
grimly determined, desire to 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 a Knockout. but he blocked
me, clinging desperately to my arm.
tore loose once more. flnging him
aside bewildered and GREATNESS.
Now. Raymond" ! said. that trick
doesn't work a second time. Stand up
to 1t. you coward! You wanted
fight, and you are going to have one.
What! The gun again? ! guess not"
He had jerked it out before ]
reached him. but my hand closed over
his-the hammer fell, digging into the
flesh Of my thumb. and the pain mad
dened me; he staggered back from
the impetus of my body. and tore
loose. the iron still imbedded In my
flesh, and struck him. The pearl
handle crashed to the side OF his head.
tearing my hand in jagged wound. but
he went over. dropping to the grass as
II dead He gave no moan. no sound;
for An instant his limbs twitched. and
then he lay there. curled into ball.
I stared down at him. painting. scarce
ly realizing just what had occurred.
An instant before he had been fighting
like a tiger cat. now be was a motion
less, grotesque shadow. Blood
streamed from my lacerated hand. and
] bound up the wound In a neckerchief
stripped from around my throat, hard
ly conscious of the pain, my breath
steadying. my muscles growing tense.
Then | bent down. and Strengthened
the man out. upturning his face to the
moon He was not dead--there was q
beat to his pulse; but the cash on his
head was an ugly one: he would have
q scar there while he lived He lay
like a dead man. his face CHASTITY. his
thin lips drawn back from his teeth,