The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1921-06-16

not even occur to him. When the In
suit is great enough, such considera-
tons 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
a deadly disease had not yet entirely
relinquished its hold upon him.
II do very well, Cranston." Dan an
swered in the same tone. Wouldn't
you like another match? l believe
your pipe has gone out"
Very little can be said for the wis
dom of this remark. 1t was simply
hun1an-that age-old creed to answer
blow for blow and insult for insult.
OF course the inference was obvious
that Dan was accusing him. by fnnu-
endo, Of his late attempt at arson.
Cranston glanced up quickly. and it
might be true that his fingers itched
and tingled about the barrel Of his
rifle. He knew what Dan meant. He
understood perfectly that Dan had
guessed his purpose on the mountain
side. And the curl at his lips became
more pronounced
"What smart little boy" he
scorned. ''Going to be a 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
cultural. Maybe you're spy?" he
asked. maybe you're one Of those city
| rats-t0 come and watch us, and then
run and tell the forest service. There's
two things, Failing, that ! want you
| to know"
Dan puffed at his pipe, and his eyes
looked curiously bright through the
| film Of smoke. ''pm not interested In
hearing Them" he said.
ut might pay you," Cranston went
on. "One Of 'em is that one. mans
word is good as another's In court
and 1t wouldn't do you any good tc
run down and tell tales. A man car
light his pipe on the mountain side
without the courts being interested
| The second thing is-just that dom
think you'd find 1t healthy thing t.
do"
81 suppose, then, that is threat?'
"It amt just a threat" Cranstol
laughed harshly--a single. grim syl
liable that was the most terrible soun'
he had yet uttered. "It's fact. Jus
try it. Failing. Just make one littl
, step in that direction. You couldn'
hide behind girls skirts, then. WHY
you city sissy, I'd break you to piece
In my hands"
Few men can make threat withou
a muscular accompaniment Its yer
utterance releases pent-up emotion!
part Of which can only pour forth !
, muscular expression. And anger is
primitive thing, going down to tn
. most mysterious depths Of mans n,
: ture AS Cranston spoke, his lip curle'
his dark fingers clenched ON his thie
palm. and he half leaned forward.
u Dan knocked out his pipe on Il
!, log. It was the only sound In tn;
, whole mountain realm; all the less
a sounds were stilled. The two me
stood face to face. Dan tranquil, Gran
ton shaken by passion.
II give you," said Dan with enti
= coldness IAN opportunity to take tn
!, back. Just about four seconds"
: He stood very straight as he spok
: and his eyes did not waver In t
!. least. 1t would not be the truth to 81
: that his heart was not leaping III
: wild thing In his breast. A da
). mist was spreading like madness ov
), his brain: but yet he was striving
: keep his thoughts clear. Stealthi
!. without seeming to do so, he was 81
: ting his muscles for spring
a The only answer to his words W
= a laugh--a roaring laugh of SEQ
- from Cranston's dark lips In
= laughter, his intent, catlike vigilan
- relaxed. Dan saw chance; feel