Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1925-03-13
By
Victor Rousseau
Copyright by w. G. Chapman.)
WNU Service.

man! A gorilla, all but the human
face.
Lee had already pulled the trigger
a third time, but there was no third
shot. Then he remembered that he
had had only two cartridges remaining.
He was unarmed
He sprang, and stone struck him
In the chest and hurled him backward.
Like two balloons they bombarded
as a fortunate shot sent the other
staggering, Lee managed to close with
him.
The face, bruised and battered from
the encounter in the tunnel, looked
impassively into his. Lee struck, and
quickly discovered that he had not
strength enough left to administer
knockout blow; while at close quarters
he was decidedly at a disadvantage.
On the other hand his opponent was
equally unable to overcome him, for
he could not stand up against Lees
fists at short range long enough to
allow him time to get the gripping
power of those shoulders into action.
At last, bleeding and bruised, they
broke off the fight simultaneously, and
lay size by side painting, upon the bot
tom Of the gorge.
Lee took stock of the other. The
man looked like an Indian but there
was a touch of the Caucasian in him.
Lee addressed him for the first time.
what is 1t that you want? Why
have you attacked me?"
The answer-Lee had hardly ex-
pected that there would be an an
swer-was in tone singularly soft, in
credibly at variance with the appear
ance of that gross body.
you find the way in. But you
never find the way out. You fight me
and fight you. You sit down here so
and l sit down here beside you so.
When you fight fight, and when you
stop stop, and so we wait until you
sleep. And then lie grand mort come"
This devilish conception made Lees
blood run cold. For even now his eye
lids were dropping -drooping, and the
other watched with cunning eyes.
He tried to find strength to leap,
rend him with teeth and nails If his
bruised fists and weakened arms
failed him. But the other, reading
what passed in his mind, crouched,
ready for him.
Lee shot an arrow at venture. lie
boeufl !" he said softly.
The other started. "Eh, you have
learn my name? That makes no diff
ference"
why do you wish to kill me, Lee
boeuf? Is 1t that you think have
come here to seize the miner"
Listen, then. / swore to my master
before he died that no one shall take
the gold away. Therefore, since you
have found the way into the tunnel,
you shall never leave it."
Suppose l am friend?"
"No, no friend. You have come for
the gold. You came to seize my mas
ter, who Is dead, to take his gold
away. There he lies dead and he has
come to me in dreams and told me he
must not be buried till Ma'm'zelle
Joyce has got the gold. All, you shall
never have his gold"
Listen, Leboeufl Miss Joyce and
I love each other"
mo. no, you are lying, and, besides,
it would make no difference. Did
not hear her in the house, telling you,
Col Cor No, you shall never take
her gold"
Lee desisted from sheer WEAKNESS.
He strove desperately In his mind,
trying to find some way by which he
could convince this madman-but his
eyelids closed, and suddenly, with
snarl, Leboeuf was upon him, his fin
gers twining around his throat.
Lee shook himself free. He sprang
at him, the last of his waning strength
put forth. They clinched, they fought,
Lees fists beat against the bruised
face, drawing fresh blood. Leboeuf
released him, but springing to a dis
lance, began hurting stones at him,
cursing him.
Then he sat down and waited.
Lee must stay awake till nightfall.
He would find some way out or the
gorge. He would cut footsteps in the
granite with q stone-wild and impos-
sible thoughts ran through his mind.
He strobe to and fro beside the river
bank.
Some little distance away Leboeuf
sat watching him. Lees hatred for
that bruised, impassive face was ele-
mental. He flung stone. The aim.
was true; it cut Leboeuf's lip open.
Blood began to drip, but Leboeuf
never stirred.
Lee sat down. He must conserve
his strength-he started up. He had
slept for a moment, and Leboeuf was
creeping toward him. The sun blazed
over the edge of the gorge.
Leboeuf squatted down nearer Lee,
watching him as a vulture might watch
dying animal.
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