The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1919-09-05
CHAPTER XXI.
In Full Possession.

In Full Possession.
A roar of delight went up. / knew
sailors and felt they would welcome 6
fight like this and their immediate
sympathy would be with me for start
ing 1t. More than that, this black
bully, ruling over them by brute force
could be no favorite. They might feaI
him, but with that fear would be
mingled hate, and a delight in his
downfall.
In that instant, although I cannot
recall removing watchful eyes from
| the negro's face, I received an impress
sion of my surroundings never to be
erased from memOry-the gloomy in
terror, the deck, foul, Uttered with sea
boots, and discarded clothing, and the
| great beams overhead blackened by
smoke. The rays of the swinging
slush lantern barely Illuminated the
| central space, the rows of hunks be-
yond remaining mere shadows, yet this
dim, yellowish light, fell full upon the
excited half circle of men who were
roaring about the negro. They were
rough, wild lot, ranging in color
from the intense black of Central
Africa to the blond of Scandinavia,
half naked some, their voices mingling
in dozen tongues, their eyes gleam-
ing with savagery.
know not whether Cochose lunged
forward of his own volition, or was
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.
I 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
but l fought coolly, putting my skill
against brute force, every wrestler's |
trick l knew flashing into my brain. |
my flesh scraped and |
bruised, 1 wriggled partly free. and |
tripped him, his great body striking |
the deck with a thud. / fell with him,
dragged down by his desperate grip, |
but was first upon my feet, saluted by |
a roar of delight from the lips of those
crowding about us. AS he staggered
I'D also, / struck him again, a blow
which would have ended the game,
had not my foot slipped on the Keeling
deck. AS it was it drove him to his
knees, groggy, and with one eye half
closed, yet with strength enough left
to regain his feet as soon as |. This
time he charged me like wild bull,
roth whitening his lips, scarcely ap-
1earing human in the yellow light. In
mad rage he forgot all caution, his
me thought to reach me with his
lands, and throttle me into lifeless
Pulp. 1 fought him back, driving blow
N blow through his guard, side-step-
ling his mad rushes, landing again
md again on his body. Twice / got
n over his heart, and at last, found
he chance I sought, and sent a right
alb straight to the chin. All the force
f one hundred and eighty pounds was
ehind the clenched fist, and the negro
vent down as though fioored by q
oleax. Once weakly he endeavored
0 rise, but this time used my left,
nd he never stirred again, lying
here with no sign of life except the
Of the huge body. Assured
hat he was down and out, / stood
hove him, gazing into the ring OF ex-
tied faces.
"That's one attended to-" 1 said
hortly. "Now is there any more Of ;
on who would like to fight this QUIT"
There was no answer although the I
ne widened under the threat OF my r
yes, and met sulIen faces here and |
lere. was In no mood to take
lances.
Garrison" I said, you know all
lese men. Pick out those you can
ust, and have them stand over there
the right. Call them out by name !
} lively now" .
They stepped forth eagerly enough,
ID ranged themselves before the I
INKS, the faces mostly those OF north /
q Europe, although a negro or two t
~ among them. A the Swede {
ased calling, six Or seven yet r.
aimed clustered In front Of me,
otIey lot, one Of them IN indian. the
herr mostly haIf-breedb. ! eiA1cedt
a face to face inquir1nSiy. II