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

CHAPTER III-Continued
Without stopping even for MS cap
Ben stepped out and crossed TO the
mems camp He did not burst into the
place, but opened the door casually and
slipped inside
In the center Of the room, close by
the heating stove above which socks
hung from drying racks. stood Bull Du-
val His cap was tilted on his head.
he leaned backward from his hips, In
his uplifted right hand was a quart
whisky bottle nearly full and his voice
belloWed the words of a woods classic
In the far end of the room half
dozen men were huddled From sew
eral upper hunks concerned faces
watched the Bull The men were clear
~ afraid, certain thai this hilariry was
heads would be broken and bodies
bruised
The swaying OF Duyals body, as he
moved 10 the measure of the ballad.
brought him facing the doorway.
Ben Elliott stepped forward two or
three PAGES and stood watching him.
His gaze was steady. and in his eyes
danced q warning fame. The Bull
broke short his song.
Good day, Mister ElliouI" he said
heavily, in mock respect Il heerd you
was tn new boss al Hoot Owl and
likely you're lookin' fer good men.
Here's one. Elliott Here's tn best
man youn get a chanel to hire until
tn next blue snow!"
Ben. needless of the increased ten
sion which showed on the faces of the
onlookers, crossed the floor slowly.
You want to work for me, DuvalT"
he asked.
Think ] come over TO spark your
the other countered insolently. Have
a drink"
He extended the bottle. holding it In
his great hand. grinning at Ben
In the first place. / don't want TO
hire you" Elliott said in the second,
there's no hooch allowed in this camp"
He sDatched the bottle, swung and
sent il crashing against the stove. For
a brief moment the hiss OF its contents
against scOrching metal had the place
while the Bulls head thrust slowly for
ward and his small eyes grew red with
rage. His lip drew back, exposing yell
low teeth.
will you walk out, Duval?" Ben
asked. ''Or do you want me to throw
you through the door?"
Throw me out?" Duval cried thick
ly. Throw me out? Why, kid To
best day you ever seen you couldn't"
He got just that far in his boast
His hands had knotted into great lists
his body swayed. bur before be could
strike thai first blow or fan into that
initial clinch or carry out whatever
plan of attack had formed in his true
ulent mind, knuckles dashed into Lis
lips. driving the words back into his
teeth.
Ii was a hard blow. with everything
Ben Elliott had from knuckles TO ankle
put behind its drive. The savagery
with which he struck threw Ben of his
own balance, but hard as he had hit,
quick as he had been, the blow was not
enough TO put Duval down.
He closed with a roar, one great
arm clamped about Elliotr's waist, the
other hand smearing across Elliotts
face, showing Ben's head backward as
the fingers sought the eyes. Ben twist
ed away from that menace OF gouging.
strained against that crushing embrace
and struck hastily with both hands
But the Bulls chin was safe againsr
his own shoulder, his forehead burrow-
ing into Elliott's chest for protection
and not until Ben lifted his knee with
a drive ike that of a piston did DuvaI
let go.
He reeled backward then, cursins
inariculaIely, painting and heaving
forward again from his spiked stance
on the rough floor as he struck with all
his might His. blow went home,
singing, crushing impact on Ben's
cheek bone and DuvaFs great weighr
followed. bearing the other 10 the floor.
fat on his back The Bull spread
arms and legs In a smotherine sprawl
as he went down bur before be could
pin Ben close and helpless ne was
wriggling, threshing over. eIuding
hand which elawed for his throat
grasping DuvaTs leg. lifting. strainins
finally throwing him of, lurchine 70
his knees and then got to his feet
pitching forward OF balance as be ran.
and coming 70 q halt against the
hunks
He faced about sharply to see Duval
standing. blood on bis mouth, bent for.
ward, arms hooked and extended. like
some great jungle creature stirred to
killing fury.
Elliott did not Try 10 elude him.
With grunt he charged, head down,
one arm before his face, the other
drawn back. and when ne struck the
sound was Ike thai of q club on a
quarter OF beef The blow spun OuvaI
hall about and the next rocked him.
4Ie grappied for Ben. but Ben was
gone he rushed for Ben but Ben