The Elbert County tribune., 1917-02-09

He lodged the blade, clutched the
chiefs wrist, and closed. He whipped
his heel round Katcalani's knee and
tripping him, fell ON top of him. But
the Indian was agile as a panther and
he rolled over. Then Royce was on
top. then the Indian broke free. Then
the men circled and feinted and finally
clinched again, went to earth again.
rolled, broke, rose, and clinched, curo
ing and grunting in mortal hatred.
Freneau from the thicket where he
hid witnessed the fight; watched it in
fascination moment. At length,
seeing that the battle had carried
the two warriors away from Gloria'a
vicinity. he made SO bold as to run
to where she lay. and pick her up.
Her eyes opened. She found her.
self In his arms. She stared, then
recognized him. He was like a
rescuing angel. She embraced him
with little wall of gratitude and
alteration. She had not seen Royce
at ALL Freneau led her away from
the struggle down a twisting path to
the landing place, where the Semi
mole guide waited for him.
He helped Gloria into the canoe and
ordered the guide to push out into the
bayou. If he felt any impulse to go
back to the aid of Royce, he sup.
pressed it, for Gloria's sake. He ne
elected even to mention that Royce
was even then in death grapple with
Katcalani. 1t would only have ex.
cited the trembling child still further
Indeed, when Gloria poured forth her
gratitude to Freneau for his fearless
ness in her behalf, he shrugged his
shoulders and smiled. He was too
much the gentleman to contradict a
lady.
The Indian pulled his dugout along
the tortucus channels, until finally It
was hailed from the shore. Gloria'a
father and brother had caught sight
of them
When Gloria was landed and in her
fathers arms, she told what hideous
danger Mr.. Freneau had saved her
from. Then Pierpont embraced the
young man, and David wrung his
hands. forgetting that they had lately
been Jealous rivals for Lois Freeman's
smiles.
Royce and Katcalani fought on
without thought of truce. Katcalani
could have brought help by crying ou9'
but he had the knife and he would not
bring his people to see him worsted
by an empty handed white man.
Royce had the skill of college wrest.
Ter, the GOODNESS of a surgeon, and the
determination of lover But he was
dulled with fatigue and wearing down
rapidly. At last, however, he broke
free and stood Off for moments
breath. Katcalani, dripping with
sweat. and little dizzy with the
struggle. went at him to finish him.
He ran like wolf and leaped like
wolf. But he ran straight into a
most beautiful uppercut. Before the
point of his knife could reach DR..
Royce. the point of his jaw met
Royce's fist. The world went to
pieces in an earthquake, and 1t was
some minutes before Katcalani found
himself lying fiat on his back with no
enemy in sight.
Royce had picked up the knife and
He nearly fell down with amazement
Then he caught sight of something
moving near the waters edge. He
staggered as fast as he could through
the underbrush. He reached the shore
In time to see Gloria and Freneau in
the dugout just rounding a barrier of
saw grass. He ran along the shore,
trying to get near. He was glad that
she was safe, and it cheered him
no little to feel that he had been able
to do something to earn place in
her heart.
He hurried on and on. At last he
came to clearing and found the
Staffords holding family reunion.
Pierpont had his arm about Freneau.
Gloria was clinging to Freneau's
hand. She told DR.. Royce that
Freneau had saved her from worse
than death Royce looked at Ere.
neau to hear him tell the truth.
Freneau did not speak. Royce
could not. he was too tagged in
muscle and soul. And 1t was not his
custom to boast OF his prowess.
He simply could not lay claim
to their gratitude. After all Fre-
neau had restored Gloria to their
arms. He turned away with a wry
smile. The Staffords were sorry that
ne should permit jealousy of Freneau
10 embitter him. 1t hurt Gloria es-
peclaily. She had liked DR.. Royce 80