The Lamar register., 1919-05-14

pressed on from behind, yet suddenly
he was within reach of me, and the
battle was on, his object evidently be-
ing to crush me in his giant grip.
mine to oppose science to strength.
and avoid his bear-hug. We swayed
back and forth to the sharp pitching
OF the ship. Then he sprang straight
at me determined to smash me to the
deck by the very power of his on
slaught. But l side-stepped him, get
ting in two swift blows, which rocked
his head. and tore open one cheek.
from which blood trickled. Yet he
kept his feet. blindly gripping for me.
evaded his clutch by leaping aside,
but the space was far too small to per-
nit these tactics to carry long, and
finally he had me. Yet, even as he
seemingly crushed the very breath out
OF me. his giant strength met with a
resistance which increased his fury
Already the fellow had lost his head,
buI l fought coOlly, putting my skill
against brute force, every wrestler's
trick l knew flashing into my brain.
Breathlessly, my flesh scraped and
bruised, l wriggled partly free, and
tripped him. his great body striking
the deck with thud. ] fell with him,
dragged down by his desperate grip.
but was first upon my feet, saluted DyI
a roar of delight from the lips OF those
crOwding about us. As he staggered
I'D also, / struck him again, II blow.
which would have ended the game.
mad not my foot slipped On the reeling
deck. As it was 1t drove MIN to hi
knees. groggy. and with one eye half
closed. yet with strength enough left
to regain his feet as soon us !. This
time he charged me like II wild bull.
froth whitening his lips, scarcely ap-
pearing human in the yellow light. In
mad rage he forgot all caution, his
one thought to reach me with his
hands. and throttle me into lifeless
pulp. / fought him back. driving blow
on blow through his guard. side-step-
ping his mad rushes, landing again
and again ON his body. Twice l got
In over his heart. and at last, found
the chance | sought: and sent right
lab straight to the chin. All the force
OF one hundred and eighty pounds was
behind the clenched fist. and the negro
went down as though roored by a
polear. Once weakly he endeayored
to rise, but this time ! used my left.
and he never stirred again. lying
there with no sign OF life except the
qulvering OF the huge body. Assured
that he was down and out, I stood
above him. gazing into the ring OF ex-
cited faces.
That's one attended to-" 1 said
shortly. "Now is there any more OF
you who would like to fight this outf'
There was no answer although the
ring widened under the threat OF my
eyes. and I met sullen faces here and
there. was In no mood to take
chances.
Carlson" said. you know all
these men. Pick out those you can
trust. and have them stand over there
TO the right Call them out by name !:
be lively now"
They stepped forth eagerly enough.
and ranged themselves before tho
hunks. the faces mostly those OF north
ern Europe. although negro or two
was among them. As the Swede
ceased calling. six or seven yet re-
mAlned clustered in front of me.
motley lot. one of them an Indian. the
others mostly half-breeds. i glanced
from face to face inqulringly.
"How about IT. your" I asked. Are
there any more OF you fellows who
take u chance with usf This Is my
last offer"
whats the gamer" asked sulien
voice In English. and bearded fellow.
burned black. pushed his way to The
front II used ter be Scotch; now l
don't know what | am. One flag Is
as good as another ter me-only l
want to know what sorter game I'm
playIn' In. Who are yer? An wizard
yer cum frumf"
81 am an English seaman" ! an
swered shortly, "and how I came
aboard makes no difference. Right
now | am the only navigator on the
Samur Estada is dead-knlfed last
night by one OF the buccaneers. Man
uel Estevan had hand in the busi-
ness, and he's safely locked In state
room aft. Captain Sanchez is wound
ed and helpless. and those cut-throats
anidships are battened down below
matches. LeVere and ! are the officers
I.ft and 40 enutrai tho tack ~