Evening star., 1923-07-29
LII day the launch had steam

times he had strained in a fury
against the ropes till the timbers
groaned. Then Lehman turned from
the rail and laid a hand on the thick,
reddish curls between the horns.
The bulls eyes rolled sidelong to see
tais man who did not fear him. He
blew through his nostrils and was
still.
The launch hands looked from Len
nan to the bull, spat, and said.
There's two of them
Lennan's hair grew. in thick, red
dish tufts low ever his eyes, which
were widely set, dark and of slow.
challenging stare. His shoulders
were mighty, he moved deliberately.
massively graceful Men felt in him
some smoldering power. They were
afraid Of him. He had never had a
friend.
When evening split q yellow fame
In the gray fathoms under the
launchs forefoot, she turned to her
harbor. Lehman saw a wharf, a shed
and some log booms grow toward
them, gradually becoming visible out
Of the substance Of the forest.
Some of them said to him, You
taken over Maceys place."
Yes"
"That bull yours"
'Yes."
him, sure"
The bull was to be landed first.
When the tug tied up to the wharf,
Lehman began TO cut the lashings
which had captived all that strength.
Men watched in silence, alert to scat
ter. There was no sound but the
sharp which-which of the knife
among taut ropes.
The bull was motionless. But as
the last rope fell. suddenly and mon
strously agile. he wheeled from the
timber. Lehman went sprawling on
the deck. The beast stood an instant,
breathing fiercely of freedom. The
tawny sunset clung to his tawny side;
he was like a bull of brass. Then he
reared at the rail, his great bulk
rushed through the air, crashed into
the sea. A moment. and his head
horned and curled, centered fume OF
surf as he swan to shore.
He's got away on YOU" breathed
the men clustered in a minute along
the rail.
X
r ENNAN stood UP. His face was
l. reddened, his eyes had lighted
formidable fires. He strode to the
side. Where the bull had plunged.
he plunged. He began to swim and
strokes that lifted him half-clear of
the water.
"Ah-h-h" sighed the watching
men.
Lehman gained. He came up with
the bull, who swerved from him,
snorting heavily. Lehman followed
His hand shot out, pressing on the
rtnged nose. The bull went under,
and Lehman followed, holding him
there. When the beast rose, he was
choking and blinded. He turned; only
to meet that grip.
The sea frothed around the mighty
struggle, and an endless ring of gold
ran out from it to meet the sunset.
The bulls horns had ripped Len
mans shirt to the belt; his tanned
body was yellow in the yellow light
1t seemed that In the trouble of
golden foam, q man Of brass fought
with a brazen bull"
"Ah-h-h!" sighed the men on
deck. Hes done"
The tide was setting in. The bull
felt rock under his hoofs and dragged
his bulk clear of the sea. Half
drowned. he had no more will to fight;
he smashed through the shadows to
the dry land.
Lehman splashed alongside. one
hand fast in the nose-ring. The bull
looked sidelong at him, blowing
from his nostrils a bitter spume.
Lehman called back to the launch
Leave my stuff on the wharf, and
I'll fetch 1t up"
The men were silent till one said, T
told you there was two of them"
Then they began to unload the rest of
the cargo.
Following the trail to Macey's. Len
nan and the bull went on into a deep
twilight Of cedars. They were brazen
no more. They moved like huge i'm
ponderable shadows, shouldering the
boughs.
The trail was mere tunnel through
old slashings. They climbed steadily,
leaving the sea. They were wet from
the sea, and now the trees began to
spray them with dew. A cold wind
breathed on them from invisible snow
peaks The bull moaned rumblingly.
Behind Macey's place mountain
rose, covered with young burned for
est When they came. here, there
were stars among the trees on the
top, but the early night was clear
and green. Lehman could discern
half-hearted land, warp fences and a
garden. all blurred with sword-fern
and salmonberry. He looked for the
log house that was to be his home
He stopped. He had expected no
welcome, but some one was there.
A woman stood on the porch. pick
ing roses from a climber that strag-
gled over the door. They were white
roses. Little was visible but her
hands. moving among them.
Lehman and the BUN waited. iicred-
IDLY still.
When her hands were full. she turn
ed, She had not seen Lehman. Yet
now, advancing a little, she said
clearly. "Is that you. my wearest?'
Lehman stood motionless. The soft
voice went on, with little laugh.
Two waited so long for you. Now
you're come, say, Tn glad to be
home"
I'm glad to be home" said Len