The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1920-06-05
CHAPTER VII-continued.


The helpless hulk of the wOods-boss
descended upon the ColonePs expan-
sive chest and sent him crashing earth.
ward. Then Bryce. war-mad. turned
to face the ring of Laguna Grande EN-
ployees about him.
"Nextr' he roared. "Singly, In
pairs, or the whole damned packl"
"Mr. Cardigan
He turned. Colonel Pennington's
breath had been knocked out of his
body by the impact of his semi-con-
scious woods-boss. and he lay inert
gasping like a hooked fish. Beside
him Shirley Sumner was kneeling, her
hands clasplng her uncle's, but with
her violet eyes blazing f1ercely on
Bryce Cardigan.
"How dare your" she cried. "You
coward To hurt my uncleI"
He gazed at her for moment
fiercely, defiantly, his chest rising and
falling from his recent exertions, his
knotted fists cory with the blood OF
his enemy. Then the light of battle
died, and he hung his head. ''Tm
sorry," he murmured, "not for his
sake. but yours. 1 didn't know you
were here. forgot-myself."
"rll never speak to you again SC
long as 1 live" she burst out passion
ateIy.
He advanced a step and stood gaz
ing down upon her. Her angry giance
met his unflinchingly; and presently
for him the light went out Of the
world.
every WELL" he murmured. Good
bye" And with bowed head he turned
and made off through the green timber
toward his own logging-camp five
miles distant.
With the descent upon his breast Of
the limp body Of his big woods-bully
Colonel Pennington had been struck
to earth as effectually as If fair-sized
tree had fallen on him. the last Whit
Of breath had been driven from his
lungs; and for the space of minute
during which Jules Rondeau lay heav.
lily across his midriff, the Colonel was
quite unable to get 1T back. Pale
gasping, and Jared from soul to sus-
penders, he was merely aware that
something unexpected and disconcert-
ing had occurred.
While the Colonel fought for his
breath, his woodsmen remained in the
offing, paralyzei into inactivity By
reason Of the swiftness and thorough.
ness of Bryce Cardigan's work; then
Shirley mOtioned to them to remove
the wreckage, and they FASTENED tc
obey.
Freed from the weight, on the
geometric center of his being, Colonel
Pennington stretched his legs, rolled
his head from side to side, and snorted
violently several times like buck
After the sixth snort he felt so much
better that a clear understanding OF
the exact nature of the catastrophe
came to him: he struggled and sat up
looking around him little wildly.
"Where-did - Cardigan = goT he
gasped.
One of his men pointed to the timber
into which the enemy had just dis
appeared.
Surround him-take him." Penning.
ton ordered. "rll give-a months
pay--to each of-the six men that
bring-that scoundrel TO me. Get him
quickly Underestimate
Not a man moved. Pennington
shook with fury. sect him." he croak
ed. 'There are enough of you to do
the Job. Close in on him-everybody
III give a months pay to-eYery-
body"
A man Of that indiscriminate mix
ture of Spaniard and Indian known II
California as cholo swept the circle o.
men with an alert and knowing glance
His name was Flavio Artelan. but hii
straight black hair, dark russell com
plexion. beady eyes, and hawk moss
gave him such a resemblance to
fowl that he was known among his feb
lows as the Black Minc-ca, regardless
Of the fact mat this sobriqueF wai
-. ..-..1,, fafr "a q worry excellent bree(