The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1918-01-24

II not? Coed! The Wolf is weary OF
speech. Yet once again will he say
the law: Whose taketh the life Of one
Wolf, the forfeit shall ten of his people
pay
Mackenzie smiled as he stepped back
10 his old position, but at heart he was
full of trouble. The night was yet dark.
The girl came to his side, and he lis
tened closely as she told of the Bears
battle-tricks with the knife.
The decision was for war. In
trice, scores of moccasins were widen
ing the space of beaten snow by the
fire. There was much chatter about
the seeming defeat of the Sbaman;
some averred he had but withheld his
power, while others conned past events
and agreed with the Wolf. The Bear
came to the center of the battle
ground, long naked hunting knife
Of Russian make in his hand. The
Fox called attention to Mackenzie's
revOlvers; so he stripped his belt,
buckling it about Zarinska, into whose
hands he also intrusted his rifle. She
shook her head that she could not
shoot-small chance had woman to
handle such precious things.
'"Then, if danger come by my back.
cry aloud, My husband! No; thus.
MY husband!
He laughed as she repeated it.
pinched her cheek and re-entered the
circle. Not only in reach and stature
had the Bear the advantage Of him,
but his blade was longer by a good
two inches. Scruff Mackenzie had
looked into the eyes of men before.
and he knew it was man who stood
against him; yet he quickened to the
CLINT of light on the steel, to the DOM
inant pulse Of his race.
Twice he pricked the Bear, getting
away unscathed; but the third time
caught, and to save himself, free
hands closed on fighting hands, and
they came together. Then did he rea-
lie the tremendous strength Of his OPP
ponent. His muscles were knOtted In
painful Jumps, and cords and tendons
threatened to snap with the strain;
yet nearer and nearer came the Rus
sian steel. He tried to break away.
but only weakened himself. The fur
clad circle closed in, certain of and
anxious to see the final stroke. But
with wrestler's trick, swinging partly
to the side, he struck at his adversary
with his head. Involuntarily the
Bear leaned back, disturbing his CEN
ter of gravity. Simultaneous with
this, Mackenzie tripped properly and
threw his whole weight forward, hurl..
ing him clear through the circle into
the deep snow. The Bear fl0undered
out and came back full tilt.
"Oh, my husband!" Zarinska's voice.
rang out, vibrant with danger.
To the twang Of bOw-strtng, Mac
kenzie swept low to the ground, and a
bone-barbed arrow passed over him
into the breast of the Bear, whose mo-
mentum carried him over his crouch
ing foe. The next instant Mackenzie
was up and about. The Bear lay mo-
tionless, but across the fire was the
Shaman, drawing q second arrow.
Mackenzie's knife leaped short in
the air. He caught the heavy blade by
the point. There was a flash of light
as it spanned the fire. Then the Sha-
man, the hilt alone appearing without
his throat, swayed moment and
pitched forward into the glowing en-
bers.
Click! click THE Fox had pos
sessed himself of Thling; Ttnneh's rifle
and was vainly trying to throw she'll
into place. But he dropped It at the
sound of Mackenzies laughter.
$50 the Fox has not learned the
way Of the plaything? He is yet a
woman. Come! Bring it, that may
show thee!"
The Fox hesitated.
''Come, I say"
He slouched forward like q beaten
cur.
'Thus, and thus; so the thing is
DONE" A shell few into place and the
trigger was at cock as Mackenzie
brought it to shoulder.
'The Fox has said great deeds were
afoot this night, and he spoke true.
There have been great deeds, yet
least among them were those Of the
Fox. Is he still intent to take Zarin-
ska to his lodge? Is he minded to
tread the trail already broken by the
Shaman and the Bear? MOI Good!"
Mackenzie turned contemptuously
and drew his knife from the priests
throat.
"Are any of the young men 50 mind
ed? If so, the Wolf viii take them BY
two and three till none are left MOI
Good. Thling-Tinneh, now give thee
this rifle second time. IF IN the days
to come thou shouldst journey to The
country Of the Yukon, know thou that
there shall always be q place and
much food by the fire Of the Woff.
The night Is now passing into the day.
I 60, but may come again. And for
the last time, remember The Law Of
the Wolff" .-
He was supernatural in their sight