Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-04

Dyke followed bis first blow with
another. which went wild. The mans
head had been in its path one instant.
and gone the next. Dyke whirled Off
his footing and staggered step or
two to recover.
And while he recovered himself the
man he had struck waited waited
deliberately.
He was ready TO strike, and could
have sent home Knockout while his
assailant lurched past but he did not.
He actually waited for Dyke to square
away
But when the fence.rlder was ready
to strike again!
A crashing, crushing jolt caught
him on the point Of the chin; Il sith'
ering wallop raked across his right
eye His arms went up, his head back.
and then snapped to one side before
the force of that assault.
He gasped and sputtered, ducking
his head bindly. covering it with his
arms, lunging forward against his
adversary.
Put up those hands," the other
snapped, pushing Dyke away from
him contemptiously. Put 'em up or
so away from me-"
He did not raise his voice, and the
tone of his speech was queerly steady.
Dyke backed off.
I'm put 'em up" he snarled. see.
ing the man ready. "pll put em up
--you--yOu"
He wiped away the blood that ran
from his cut eye and rushed.
The shock of the blow which halted
him did more; it lifted him to the toes
OF his muddied boots, and the next,
falling full on his cursing mouth, sent
him backward and downtown into
the mud, with his head thwacking
sharply against the tire of the stage.
wheel.
Silence for an instant.
Hell quit gettin' fresh now!'
some one muttered, and the voices
| lifted in quick assent.
But the man who had been struck
and who had fought back with such
effectiveness, did not hear When his
opponent fell, all tensity left him: the
anger died in his eyes; the determin
ed line of his mouth softened. He
looked down at the fellow, then stoop.
ed quickly over him, and put his
hands under the inert shoulders.
Help me lift him up" he said
quickly. "He hurt his head against
the wheel"
Blood trickled from scalp wound;
il oozed from the cash beside his eye;
the lips were puffed and chin bruised.
The man who had done it looked at
the effects of his fists with an ex-
preston on his face akin to revulsion.
81 had to do it," he said to the
others, as though defensiyely
Sure you did; and you sure done
it," some one said, and they all
laughed.
The stranger opened one Of his
grips and drew out a small black bag
"a surgeons case. He unsnapped It
and produced roll Of cauze, sundry
bottles, and a small nickel box.
Great Hat, he's "a doctor, ans gon'
to fix Chet up some one whispered,
and another laugh ripped around the
group.
With skiiuI movements the stran.
ger worked He washed out the cuts
carefully, almost tenderly, and as he
examined their ragged edge his face
showed true concern.
The wounds clean. Chef Dyke
stirred and opened his eyes. looking
up into the face of the man who had
Knocked him out. For moment his
gaze was not comprehensive: then his
countenance became distressed.
"Oh. I've had enough he moan
ed "What are YOU goin' to do TO me
now. pardner"
The onlookcrs gullawed. and the
doctor shook as he laughed silently.
I'm trying to repair The damage
YOU just made me do" he said. I'll
be as easy as can"
"Oh. don't guess you can be easy!"
roared again.
Dyke twilched and caught his
breath as the needle did its work, but
he uttered no word Of complaint.
When the gauze bandages had been
put in place he rose to a sitting pos.
ture there at the sidewalk and looked
about him with The one serviceable
eye. Then he sighed deeply and
squinted at the doctor.
MY God, doc. is that all?" he
said, sober now and with such pa.
thetically melancholy solicltude that
the group reeled under their mirth
IAN OF that" said the one ad
dressed. squatting before his patient
and repacking his case "but guess
ri have 10 take about FIVE dollars Of
your money"
In his eye was mirthful twinkle
that was electric. Those who looked
on caught his mood and moved closer
to see what might happen.
The bandaged man stared at him
long and hard with the one good eye
First. YOU don't get mad when I
start someihin." he unused. Then