The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-05-27
By
Victor Rousseau
Copyright by w. G. Chapman.)
WNU Service.

|
1t was only q man-but such a
mani A gorilla, all but the human
face.
Lee had already pulled the trigger
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 a stone struck him
in the chest and hurled him backward.
Like two balloons they bombarded
each other with stones; but at last,
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 a
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 look 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 a 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 1 fight you. You sit down here so
and 1 sit down here beside you so.
When you fight I fight, and when you
stop I 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 and the
other watched with cunning eyes.
He tried to find strength to leap,
rend him with teeth and nails II MS
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
boeuf ~ he said softly.
The other started. "Eh, you nave
learn my name? That makes no diff
ference"
why do you wish to kill me, Lee
boeuf? Is 1t that you think l nave
come here to seize the minef"
Listen, then. 1 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 I am friend?"
mo, 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 mas
come to me in dreams and told me ne
must not be buried till Ma'm'zelle
Joyce has got the gold. Al, you shall
never have his gold.
Listen, Leboeuf! Miss Joyce and
l love each other"
mo, no, you are lying, and, besides,
1t would make no difference. Dld
not hear her in the house, telling you,
Go! Coz 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 ne
could convince this madman-but MS
eyelids closed. and suddenly, with
snarl, Leboeuf was upon him, his nm
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. Leboeu1
released him, but springing to dis
lance. began hurting stones at him,
cursing him.
Then he sat down and waited.
Lee must stay awake till nightfai
He would find some way out OF the
gorge. He would cut footsteps in the
granite with a stone-wild and impos-
sble thoughts ran through his mind.
He strobe to and fro beside the river
bank.
Some little distance away Leboeu1
sat watching him. Lees hatred Tor
that bruised, impassive face was ele-
mental. He flung stone. The ann
was true; 1t 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 nad
slept for moment, and Leboeuf was
.reeping toward him. The sun blazed
,ver the edge of the gorge.
Leboeuf squatted down nearer Lee
him as vulture might watch
dying animal.
A moment later Leboeuf was almost
It his side, yet he was not conscious