The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-02-08
CHAPTER III-Continued

5
Without stopping even for his 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
beloved the words of 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
ly afraid, certain that this hilarity was
only a prelude to melee in which
heads would be broken and bodies
bruised.
The swaying of Duval's body, as he
moved to 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 a warning flame. The Bull
broke short his song.
"Good day, Mister Elliott" he said
heavily, in mock respect. II heerd you
was tn new boss at Hoot Owl and
likely you're lookin' fer good men.
Here's one, Elliott. Here's tn best
man you'll get chanel to hire until
TIL next blue SNOWY
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 1t in
his great hand. grinning at Ben.
'In the first place, don't want to
hire you," Elliott said. "ln the second,
there's no hooch allowed in this camp"
He snatched the bottle, swung and
sent 1t 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
Won throuoh tha door ?"
"Throw me out" Duval cried thick.
ly. Throw me out? Why, kid, tn
best day you ever seen you couldn't"
He got just that far in his boast.
His hands had knotted into great fists,
his body swayed, but before he could
strike that first blow or fall into that
initial clinch or carry out whatever
plan of attack had formed in his true
ulent mind, knuckles Dashed into his
lips, driving the words back into his
teeth.
1t 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 off 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 Elliott's waist, the
other hand smearing across Elliott's
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 against
his own shoulder, his forehead burrow-
ing into Elliott's chest for protection
and not until Ben lifted his knee with
a drive like that of piston did Duval
let go.
He reeled backward then. cursing
inarticulately. painting and heaving
forward again from his spiked stance
on the rough floor as he struck with all
singing. crushing impact on Ben's
cheek bone and Duval's great weight
followed. bearing the other to the floor,
fiat on hiss back. The Bull spread
arms and legs In a smothering sprawl
as he went down but before he could
pin Ben close and helpless he was
wriggling. threshing over, eluding a
hand which clawed for his throat,
grasping Duval's Leg. lifting, straining,
finally throwing him off, lurching to
his knees and then got TO his feet,
pitching forward off balance as he ran,
and coming to a halt against the
hunks.
He faced about sharply to see Duval
standing. blood on his mouth, bent for
ward, arms hooked and extended, like
some great jungle creature stirred to
killing fury.
Elliott did not try to elude him.