The Holly chieftain., 1916-05-12
CHAPTER xxv,ii-continuea.

vi WING q hiOu uio OCits Out
to my best judgment there is a hun
dred foot sheer drop right here. and 1t |
would damage you some to take 1t.
See." and l 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 r1e SO badly you offer a reward, !
dead or alive? Isn't 1t rather my wife |
you want?"
Il don't believe she is your wife,"
mot after she gave you her word!
That is hardly complimentary to the
lady, lieutenant. However I 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 l 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
viciousiy. the heavy shoe striking my
wrist. sending the revolver I held
spinning into the grass a dozen feet
away With almost the same move
hn urn ku~ ~ hto Ia nlrAA
pocket. I 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 baffied 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 interven-
fng fringe OF trees, savageiy contend.
ing for the mastery. That he was
trained athlete. acquainted with every
wrestlers 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 I 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 a 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,
for beat him down. caring nothing
for what blows reached me. so that
smashed In through his guard, and
landed. Again and again feinted 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 knockout, but he blocked
me, clinglng desperately to my arm.
tore loose once more, filnging him
aside bewildered and breathless.
Now. Raymond" | said. "that trick
doesn't work second time. Stand up
to it, 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 q bali.
stared down at him, painting. scarce.
ly realizing just what had occurred.
An instant before he had heen fehtinu