Williams news., 1921-07-01
CHAPTER II-contInued.
10

Dan felt himself straighten and the
 color mounted somewhat higher in his
 brown cheeks. But he did not try to
 avenge the 1nsu1t-yet. Cranston was
 still fifteen feet distant, and that was
 too far. A man may swing a rifle
 within fifteen feet. The fact that they were in no way physical equals did not even occur to him. When the in- suit Is great enough, such considera- lions cannot possibly matter. Grams ton was hard as steel, one hundred and seventy pounds in weight. Dan did not touch one hundred and fifty. and . deadly disease had not yet entirely relinQuished its hold upon him. : 'I do very well. Cranston." Dan an swered in the same tone. ..Wopldn't you like another match7 Il believe your pipe has gone out
 Very little can be said for the wis dom of this remark. It was simply human-that age-old creed to answer blow for blow and insult for insult. Of course the inference was obvious --4hat Dan was accusing him, by innu endo, of his late attempt at arson. Cranston. glanced sup quickly, -and it might be true that his fingers itched and tingled about the barrel of his rife. He knew what Dan meant. He understood perfectly that Dan had guessed Hfs purpose on the mountain side. And the carl at his lips became more -pronounced. i:e~ <-'what smart little boy,'' he scorned. Going. to be Sherlock Holmes when he grows up." Then he half turned and the light in his eyes blazed up. He was not leering now. The mountain men are too intense to play at insult very long, Their in- herent savagery comes to the surface, and they want the warmth of blood upon their fingers. His voice became guttural. Maybe you're a spy?" he asked. Maybe you're one of those city rats-to come and watch us and then run and tell the forest service. There's two things, Failing, that I want you to know"
 Dan pufred at his pipe, and his eyes looked curiously bright through the film Of smoke. "Tm not interested in hearing them," he said
 'It might pay you" Cranston went on- "One of lem is that one mans word is good as another's in a court and it wouldn't do you any good to run down and tell tales. man can light his pipe on the mountain side without the courts being interested. The second thing is-just that I don't think you'd find 1t a healthy thing to do."
 '1 suppose, then, that is threat?"
 'It ain't just threat" Cranston laughed harshly-a single, grim syl- liable that was the most terrible sound he had yet uttered. Its a fact Just try it. Failing. Just make one little step in that direction. You couldn't hide behind a girls skirts, then. Why, you city sissy, I'd break you to pieces fin my handsf"
 Few men can make threat without A muscular accompaniment. Its very utterance releases pent-up emotions, part of which can only pour forth in muscular expression. And anger Is a primitive thing, going down to the most mysterious depths of a mans ma ture. As Crans,on spoke, his lip curled, his dark fingers clenched on his thick palm, and he half leaned forward.
 Dan knocked out his pipe on the log It was the only sound in that whole mountain realm all the lesser sounds were stflled. The. two men stood face to face, Dan tranquil Grams ton shaken by passion.
 "I give you." said Dan with entire