The Lamar register., 1921-12-21

IN the main, MS mental prophecy or
trouble coming was connected with
the girl.
On the border Of dreams he was
brought back by strange noise on
deck, a rush Of feet. many voices, and
topping them all, the below of Lund,
roaring. not for help. but in challenge.
Ralney, half asleep. jumped from
his bunk and rushed out Of the room.
He had no doubt as to what had hap
pened: the hunters had attacked
Lundi And. unused 10 the possession
of firearms, stIil drowsy, he forgot the
automatic. Intent upon rallylng 10 the
cry of the giant. AS he made for the
companionway, the girl came ont Of
her fathers room.
"Nyhnt is it7" she cried.
"Lund-hunters - Rniney caueo
back us he sped up the stairs. He
thought he heard n wait from her.
nut the stamping md yelling were
loud In his ears. and he plunged OUT
on deck As he emerged he saw tho
stoild face of Hansen at the wheel.
his pale blue eyes glancing at the SET
Of his canvas and then taking on
CLINT that turned nmidships.
Lund looked like n bear surrounded
10y the dog-pack He stood upright
while the six hunters tore and
smashed at him. Lunds arms swung
like clubs, his great hands plucked at
their holds. while he roared volieys Of
deep-sea, defiant 0aths. shaking or
striking Off a man now and then. who
charged back snarllngly to the attack.
Brlcf though the fight had been
when iiney arrived. there WIS ample
evidence of IT, Clothes were torn and
faces bloody. and already the men were
PAINTING as Lund dragged them here
and there. failing. striking. half
smothered. but always coming up from
gnder, like n rock that emerges from
the bursting Of heavy wave.
A hunter lunged out heavily and
confidently to meet him as the others
rot Lund to his knees for a fnteful
moment piling on top Of him. blud-
geonlng blows with cultural cries Of
fancied victory.
Rainey's man struck, and the
strength of his arm. backed by his
hurling weight. broke down Raincy's
guard and left the arm numb. The next
instant they were at close quarters,
swinging madly. rife with the one de
sire to down the other, to main, to
kill. A blow crashed home on Rainey's
check. sending him back dazed, strik-
ing madly, clinching to stop the pis-
ton-like smashes Of the hunter clutch
ing him. trying to trip him. hammer
ing at the fierce face above him as they
both went down and rolled into the
scuppers, tearing at each other.
He felt the mans hands at his
throat, gradually squeezing out sense
and breath and strength. and threw
up his knee with all his force. II
struck the hunter fairly in the groin,
and he heard the man groan with the
sudden agony. But he himself was
nearly out. The man seemed to fade
away for Il second. the choking fingers
relaxed, and Rainey gulped for air.
His eyes seemed strained from bulg-
ing from their sockets in that fierce
grip. and there was a fog before them
through which he could hear the roar
Of Lund sounding like a siren blast
that told he was still fighting. still con-
fident.
Rainey saw his face. one red mask
Of blood and hair, with his agate
eyes flnring up with the glory of the
fight He roared no longer. saving his
breath. One of the men taclling his
legs dropped senseless from the buffet
he got on the side of his skull, and
Lund's kick sent him scuddlng across
the. deck, limp, out of the fight that
could not last much longer.
All this came as Rainey, still dazed,
helped himself by the skyllght toward
the companion, going as fast rs he
could To get his gun. II he did not
hurry he was certain they would kill
Lund. No man could Withstand those
odds much longer.
Lund killed. II would be his turn
next. and the girl would be left at
their mercy The thought spurred
him. clearing his throbbing head
Jared by the smashes Of his >till sense
less opponent who would be coming
to before long.
Then he saw the girl, standing by the