The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-02-22

sidestepped and struck Duval as ne
lurched past
The Bull gave up trying to close. BE
agery as they stood toe-to .oe for a
moment He lodged a brace OF drives
which, Ii seemed. would have felled a
horse. so great was the effort behind
them. and then. feinting. sent In a
slashing uppercuL
The great fist landed squarely on the
point of Ben's jaw, lifted him from his
feet and sent him Keeling. clawing the
air, over on bis back again
Elliott was daZed Dy that blow.
Bells changed thunderously in his ears
and lights flashed and fickered before
his eyes but as he crashed down TO
the floor Bird-Eye's voice, shriD and
frantic. cut through The fog that had
folded over him:
'.Th' bootsi TIL bootsi"
Boots, yes. Bull Duval did not fling
himself on his PROSTATE adversary, this
time. Erect. he strobe forward two
measured PAGES three, and on
the fourth be bent backward from the
hips. lifted his right foot and raked IL
out before him; raked those many
spikes in the sole straight al the face
of his fallen adversary.
But his river boot only swung across
/ the place where face had been One
lone spike ripped the skin over the
cheek bone; a companion left bright
red trace. Ben had jerked his head
sideways, moved ii that quarter inch
which left his face still face and not
a mass Of raw flesh ribbons.
Duval teetered on his left foot, hop
ping for balance and cursing because
he had missed, as Ben, Keeling TO his
feet. shouted:
Keep Quit Ny fightT" He had
seen. as he came erect. Bird Eye Blaine
leap for the wood box and grasp the
heavy iron poker. My fghtI" be re
| peated and his hoarse voice was COM
handing.
Bird-Eye fell back. clinging 20 the
poker, bps moving. Ii was Elliotr's
| fight indeed. He had seen many men
fight before, had Bird-Eye Blaine; born
to a rough life, ne had lived IL fully.
He had seen countless battles but
never mad he witnessed such fury as
Ben Elliott loosed then
He drove out with both fists, heed
| less Of defense, blind to Duvars counter
offensive He shouted as be struck. He
used a knee TO break another hold. be
| bit when Duval tried to throttle him
with the grip of both hands He
danced as the Bull sought 10 trample
his feet with his river calks, and all
me time be was striking. Again and
again mis- hard knuckles found their
mark.
A bench went over as they waltzed
into ii. Their combined weight crash
ing against the hunks as DuvaI tried
desperately TO clinch again, smashed
an upright and sent men in the upper
deck scurrying. Dust rose thickly
The sink was ripped from its place as
Ben drove the Bull into il with a body
Duval caught by another punch. went
over il backward with a crash
Ben stood still. spread legged.
breathing hard. hands swinging in q
swift rhythm Of rage.
Ger up" he painted Get upl I've
only started !"
Duval rolled over, his back TO Elliott,
and showed himself TO his feet Not
until he had risen and faced about did
the other move. Then he closed with
another OF those flying rushes. with
one drive pinned Duval against the
wall, with another sent his head crash
ing against the window frame
The Bull gave a bubbling roar and
tried TO grapple. His hands were
struck down He swung nightly, slow
ly. and missed. and as he went by, off
balance, chopping stroke on the back
of the head f1oored him.
Again Elliott waited.
Get up!" he cried thickly. Get up,
Duval, and take the rest -
The other started TO move, looking
over his shoulder with one eye that
remained open. He saw a tall, supple
young man. hair awry, shirt ripped
open from neck TO belt, cheek bleeding
jaws set, stand there swinging one fist
as though the knuckles were wild TO
strike again. He sank back TO the
floor, shuddering.
On that Elliott relaxed and moved
close.
Enough" he asked, sharply, prod
ding the Bull with toe of his pac.
Duval moaned and shook mis- head
He made as If to rise again and Ben
stepped back. giving him every chance
mutTer arose behind him
'Finish-th' ~" a man cried.
But the boss at Hoot Owl would not
do that He asked no odds.
The Bull did not get to his feet He
started 10. drew one knee beneath him.
heaved and then sank back to a nip.
He swore heavily and hung his head.
propping his torso by both great hands
spread wide on the floor.
Through, Duval?" Ben asked and ii
seemed as though his bruised and bat
tered face tried to twist In a grin.
The other gave no inCimatioD of having
heard There's more on tap Or have
you got enough?"
And then, when no reply came EIliotf
stopped, grasped the Bulls shirt in his
hands and half lifted him.
Let goI" the man blurted. LET
go or III"
He tried TO twist away, tried to
strike Ben's legs but his strength was
gone, beaten from his great body. he
was dragged across the door, river
boots trailing over the boards, straighf
10 the DOORWAY With one foor Flliorr