The Idaho Republican., 1919-03-11

II notP 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
to 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
battletricks with the knife. &
The decision was for war. In q
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 Shaman
some averred he had but withheld his
power, while others conned past events
and agreed with the Wolf. The Bear
came to ,ahe center Of the battle
ground, a. long naked hunting-knife
Of Russian make in his hand. The
Fox called attention to Mackenzie's
revolvers; so he stripped his belt,
buckling 1t 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 husbandv 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 good
two inches. Scruff Mackenzie had
looked into the eyes Of men before,
and he knew 1t 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 op-
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 cenTS
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 foundered
out and came back full tilt.
"Oh, my husband" Zarinska's voice
rang out, vibrant with danger. &
To the twang Of bow-striAg, Mac
kenzie swept low to the ground, and AZ
'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 a second arrow. HI
Mackenzie's knife leaped short in
the air. He caught the heavy blade by
the point. There was 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. III
Click! click THE Fox had pos
sessed himself of Thling- -Tinneh's rifle
and was vainly trying to throw she'll
into place. But he dropped it at the
sound Of Mackenzie's laughter. NJ
$50 the Fox has not learned the
way Of the plaything? He is yet a.
woman. Come! Bring 1t, that may
show thee!"
The Fox hesitated. &
"Come, say"
He slouched forward like q beaten
cur. #
linus, ana thus; SO the thing Is
DONE" A shell flew into place and the
trigger was at cock as Mackenzie
brought 1t to shoulder. @8
"The Fox has said great deeds were
afoOt this night, and he spoke true.
There have been great deeds, vet
least among them were those of the
Fox. Is he still intent to take Zarin-
ska to his lodge2 Is he minded to-
tread the trail already broken by the
Shaman and the Bear? No2 Good I',g
Mackenzie turned cOntemptuouslyl
and drew his knife from the priest's
throat. 3
"Are any Of the young men so mind
cd? If so, the Wolf will take them BY
two and three till none are left. No2s
Good. Thling-Tinneh, I now give theS
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 place and
much food by the fire Of the Wolf.
The night is now passing into the day.
I % hnt I NAV como aOoin And %cv