Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1924-08-21

q short-arm movement for Trefoyle's
head. The man threw out his hands
and keeled over like a stuck pig.
Kilmeny threw away his drill and
fought Il out with Peale. They
might have been compared to a rapier
and O two-handed broadsword. Jack
was more than a skilled boxer. He
was a cool Furnishing fighter. one who
could give as well as take. Once
PeaJe cornered him. bent evidently
on closing and crushing his ribs with
a terrific bear hug. II would have
been worth q dozen lessons from a
boxing master to see how the young
man fought him back with jabs and
uppcrcuts iong enough 10 DUCK under
the giants arms TO safety.
The wild swinging blows Of the Cor
nishman landed heavily from time to
time. but his opponents elbow or fore
arm often broke the force. The light
er man was slippery as an eel, as hard
10 hit as Corbett. Meanwhile. he
was cutting his foe 10 ribbons, slash
ing az him with swift drives that car
ried the full force Of one hundred
seventy-five pounds. sending home
damaging blows to the body that
played the mischief with his wind.
The big miners face was a projection
map with wheals for mountains and
with rivers represented by red trickles
Of blood.
Quartering round the room they
came again to the drills. Peale. pant
ing and desperate. stopped for one Of
them. As he rose ubsteadily Kilmeny
closed. threw him hard, and fell on
top. Jack beat ssvagely the swollen
upturned face with short arm jolts
until the fellow relaxed his hold with
moan.
'Doan't zee kill me. mon. I've had
enough" he grunted.
Kilmeny sprang TO his feet. caught
up the bar OF steel. and poked the
PROSTATE men In the ribs with II.
Get up," he ordered. you're q
pair Of cowardly brutes. Can't be de-
cent TO a couple of helpless women In
your power. Can't play fair In fight
with a man half the size of one Of
you. Get up. say, and throw dip
perful of water In Trefoyle's face.
He's not dead by long shot. though
he deserves 10 be-"
Peale olambered to his feet In sulky
submission and did as he was told
Slowly Trefoyle's eyeiids nickered
open.
"what be wrong WI unY he asked.
trying to sit up.
"You got what was coming to you.
Is II enough, or do you want moreT
did zee hit me, lad. Fegs, it's
enough. give you best"
Then get up. Wen 90 back to the
house for blankets and fuel. You'll
sleep tonight with the horses In the
tunnel"
The two girls shivering In the hot
room heard the footsteps of the re-
turning men as they crunched the
snow. Moya sat opposite the door.
white TO the lips. her hand resting on
the table and holding the revolver.
Joyce had sunk down on the bed and
had covered her face with her hands.
A cheerful voice called to them
from outside.
"All right. Everything settled. Let
us In, please"
Moya few 10 the door and unbolted
II. The Cornishmen came In first. and
after them Kilmeny. At sight Of the
ravages Of war Joyce gave little cry
Of amusement. The big miners were
covered with blood. They had the
cowed hangdog look Of thoroughly
beaten men, Jacks face too was a
sight. but he still walked springily.
He gave curt commands and the
others obeyed him without a word.
Almost the FIRST thing he did was 10
step TO the table and fling the whisky
bottle through the door into the
storm.
''we'll not need that" he said.
One OF the miners gathered up
their extra blankets while the other
took loud Of frewood.
As soon as they had gone Joyce
cried breathlessly. "You fought them"
Jack looked at her and his eyes
softened. All men answered TO the
appeal OF her beauty. I'VE had a 1T
tie argument, They couldn't see II
my way, But they're satisfied now"
Moya bit her lower lip. Her eyes
were shining with tears A queer
emotion welled up In her heart. But
II was Joyce who put their thanks
into words.
"You saved us. You're the bravest
man l ever saw" she cried.
A deeper color rose TO the embar.
raised face Of the young man. II
expect You didn't need any saving to
speak Of. The boys got too ambitious
That's about ALL" He was thinking
that she was the most beautiful crea.
ture he had ever set eyes upon and
thanking his lucky stars that he had
come along In the nick Of time.