The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-10-01
BY TOM GILL
4zrhLAx FEATURES SYNDICATE Mc

wrist. and with lunge and growl
the Mexican closed. His free arm
wrapped about Ted's neck, and the
short, powerful fingers gripped Ted's
throat. They frightened. and the
corded veins of the vaquero's arm
told of the furnishing wise that had
begun cutting the life from his ad.
versary.
"Dios," whispered vaquero. "He
will tear the Americano's throat out"
They were too close now for blows
In the bearlike hug of the Mexican,
Teds chest pressed against Jito's
shoulder. The tearing pain at his
throat blinded him, blood was pound.
ing in his head for want of air. and
always those gripping fingers tight.
ened. The lights seemed to flicker
and grow dull. His agonized lungs
were bursting. Desperately Ted
reached down and twisted his own
arms low about the vaquero's waist.
then heaved with all his might.
Slowly the Mexican's weight left the
ground, and Ted swung the great
body outward, then lunged forward.
With crash they struck the floor,
Tito beneath. AS the vaquero's head
hit the boards, Ted felt that killing
grip loosen. With all his might he
pulled back and away and struggled
to his knees. His head throbbed
DULY, his breath came in painful
gasps, but almost in the same mo-
ment that implacable foe was again
upon him.
Out of the shadow beyond the cir.
Gle of light. Ted saw Tito rise and
again hurl himself forward. Like
lightning Ted jumped aside, and the
Mexican's hand caught only his shirt,
ripping it from his body. He turned
as if in the air, and in another sec.
ond they were linked together again.
clawing. snarling like maddened
beasts, striking out where there was
room to strike, locked in entwining
arms that ever and again rose and
tell with bruising thuds or with the
rip OF torn flesh. Sweat dripped from
their bodies, their clothes hung in
rags about their waists, their breath
ing had become gasping, sobbing
thing. But ever they fought on.
Once they fell and rolled, shaking
the room with the impact. Once
Jito, pulling himself free, climbed
astride the other and raised his hand
tor one annihilating stroke, only to
fall back before the whiplike lashes
of Ted's fists.
Men ached from the strained posi-
tons they had taken. yet they could
not move. Hours seemed to pass
while these two crushed and tore
each others bodies. Jito's liz hung
open and bleeding, and his cheeks
were pulled SO that the black ewes
seemed to blaze out of two deep cav
erns. That long scar above his ewes
giowed an angry red. Ted's throat
was matted with blood, and his head
torn by the Mexican's claws.
They stood now. toe to toe. dr;v-
ing pistonlike blows into each other.
BODIES. then again Tito lunsed for.
ward and closed. This time he f,un1
both arms about Ted and hurled him
across the room. Ted struck a table.
crashed through it, and fell face
downward against the wall. In =
second Jito was on him. eager Mi.
1ime to end it all. but as the Mexi-.
cans hand slipped over the Amer;-
cans shoulder. Ted reached I'D and
seized his wrist in the viselike prasn
OF his own two hands. Aided nv the
impetus OF the Mexican's rush he
swung Tito about. then thrust IN.
ward, and now the vaquero's hand
was being forced up between hi.
snouider-blades in the dreaded ham.
meriock: Still keeping his hold with
one nand' Ted wrapped his right arm
soout the Mexican's neck. then
pushed P with all his might. Slowly
.'.os arm rose Frantically he
whipped about him to seize some
Vulnerable part of the boy, but his
elawlng hand found no hold. Second
W second his arm was being thrust
Upward until the great muscles
creakeo and Jito's mouth opened in
. sroan OF pain and rage.
ia IA fs..A..>