The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-06-13

talneu IL. 10 let george DraZk tnlnk
she was afraid of him would be ut
most humiliation.
She continued straight down the
stream. but he had already seen her
and was headed her way. In the ex-
citement of what ne had just done
Drazk was less responsible than usual.
Hello, Zen p he said mighty
decent of you to ride down an meet
me like this. Mighty decent, Zen!'
Il didn't ride down to meet you,
Drazk, and you know 1t. Keep out of
the way or I'll use whip on your
"Oh, how naughty Y.D. all over
Never mind, dear, like you all the
better for that. Who wants a tame
horse? An as for comm down to
meet me, what's the odds. so long as
we've metz"
He had turned his horse and blocked
the way In front of her. When Zen's
horse came within reach Drazk caught
him by the bride.
"Will you let go?" the girl said,
speaking as calmly as she could, but
in white passion. "Will you let go of
that bride, or shall 1 make youT"
He looked her full in the face. Cad,
but you're sumner" he exclaimed.
I'm glad we met-here."
She brought her whip with a biting
cut around the wrist that held her
bride. Drazk WINGED, but did not let
go.
Jus for that, young Y.D.," he
Missed, "jus' for that we drop all
formalities, so to speak,"
With dexterous squirting he
brought his horse alongside and threw
an arm about Zen before she could
beat him off. She used her whip at
short range on his face, but had not
arm-room In which to land a blow.
They were stirrup-deep In water, and
as they struggled the horses edged in
deeper still. Finding that she could
not beat Drazk off Zen clutched her
saddle and drove the spurs into her
horse. At this unaccustomed treat
ment he plunged wildly forward, but
Drazk's grip on her was too strong to
be broken. The maneuver had. how
ever, the effect of endorsing Drazk.
He fell in the water, but kept his grip
on Zen. With his free hand he still
had the reins of his own horse, and he
managed also to get hold of hers. Al
though her horse was plunging and
jumping, Drazk's strong grip on his
rein kept him from breaking away.
you fight well, Zen, d-n you
you fight WE'LL" he cried. $50 you
might. You played with me-you
made a fool of me. Well see who's
the fool in the end" With a mighty
wrench he tore her from her saddle
and she found herself struggling with
him in the water.
IF 1 put you under for a minute
l guess you'll be good" he threatened.
"Tll half drown you, Zen, If l have
to-"
go ahead" she challenged 'Pll
drown myself, If have to-"
mot just yet, Zen; not just yet.
Afterwards you can do as you like"
In their struggles they had been
getting gradually into deeper water.
At this moment they found their feet
carried free, and the horses began
to swim for the shore. Drazk held to
both reins with one hand, still clutch
ing his victim with the other. More
than once they went under water to-
gether and came up half choking.
Zen was not good swimmer, but
she would gladly have broken away
and taken chances with the current.
Once on land she would be at mis-
mercy. She was using her head fran
tically, but could think of no device
to foil him. 1t was not her practice
to carry weapons; her whip had al
ready gone down the stream Present.
ly she saw a long leather thong float.
ing out from the saddle of Drazk's
horse. 1t was no larger than a whip.
lash; apparently it was a spare lace
which Drazk carried, and which had
worked loose in the struggle. 1t was
floating close to Drazk.
Don't let me sink, George!" she
cried frantically, in sudden fright
"Save mel 1 won't fight any more"
That's BETTER" he said, drawing
her up to him. 81 knew you'd come to
your senses"
Her hand reached the lash. With q
quick motion of the arm, such as Is
given in throwing a rope, she ha6
looped it once around his neck. Then
pulling the lash violently, she fought
herself out of his grip. He clutched
at her wildly, but. could reach only
some stray locks of her brown hail
which had broken loose and were float
ing on the water.
She saw his eyes grow round and
big and Mortified; saw his mouth oper
and refuse to close; heard strange
little gurgles and chokings. But she
did NOT let go.
when you insulted me this morning
l promised to settle with you; die
not expect to have the chance sc
soon."
His head had gone under water
Suddenly she realized that he
was drowning. She let go of the
thong, clutched her horses tail. ane
was pulled quickly ashore.
hn ryol ha H-,1 -