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

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 his head.
He made as If to rise again and Ben
stepped back, giving him every chance.
A mutter arose behind him.
'Finish-th' -W 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 to. drew one knee beneath him,
heaved and then sank back to hip.
He swore heavily and hung his head,
propping his torso by both great hands
spread wide on the floor.
Through, Duval?" Ben asked and it
seemed as though his bruised and bat
The other gave no intimation of having
heard. "There's more on tap Or have
you got enough?"
And then, when no reply came Elliott
stopped, grasped the Bulls shirt In his
hands and half lifted him.
LET go!" the man burted. "Let
go or FL"
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 floor, river
boots trailing over the boards, straight
to the doorway. With one foot Elliott
kicked open the portal and with a
heave flung Duval, the Lineup terror,
into the trampled snow outside.
A half hour later Bull Duval, who
had washed his bleeding head and face
in the horse trough against the shout
ed protests of Bird-Eye Blaine that 1t
would be unfit thereafter for his teams
to drink from, showed himself erect
and wiped trembling hands on his
mackinaw.
The door of the van opened and
Elliott emerged. He walked straight
to the bully and examined his visible
injuries critically.
Fair job" he said, as though to
himself, and grinned. "a fair job,
Duval. But remember this: If you
ever set one Of your feet in this camp
again, or on any operation where I'm
in charge, I'll give you licking you'll
remember"
The Bull whimpered.
II know when l got enough" he said
and his one serviceable yet blood-shot
eye searched Elliott's countenance. ~
didn't mean no HARM" he
whined. 81 was drunk"
mo, you weren't drunk. If you'd
been drunk l wouldn't have hit you.
You knew what you were doing. Now,
Duval, why'd you come out here this
morning? Who sent you?"
Duval looked away.
Nobody" he said weakly. Il got
drunk. But but If you're needin'
a man, I can work for better man
than am"
Ben shook his head.
''No use. chum. You're going to tell
me why you came and who sent you.
Was 1t Brandon"
'No'-evasively.
"Sure? How much did he give you
to come here? Or are you on the pay
roll to do such chores?"
I'll, he didn't"
you're a worse liar than you are a
fighter by mile or two Duval. Mine
was a good guess, wasn't it? What
were his orders"
swell, he said if l didn't that
he'd"
"Good! That's all l want to know.
There's the road. And you can take
this little message with you to Bran
don: Tell him that he needs to send
more and better men here the next
time. And as for you: hire no men
who can be hired to fight another
mans battles. Make tracks, DuvalI"
1t was a week later.
Old Don Stuart, propped on pillows
In the narrow, cell-like room of Joe
Piette's hotel, listened to the colorful
account that Bird-Eye Blaine, with
many gestures and considerable pro-
family. rendered for him of what had
transpired at Hoot Owl since Ben FL
lott had taken charge of the opera
ton.
q. md so he's got tn mill crew
a-wurrkin' their blessid heads of for
him md s got thut ragged-pants gang
av beet-weeders md hay pitchers thut
passes fer a loggin' crew doin' more'n
they've evir done In their lazy loves
before!"
Good" gasped Stuart feebly and
tried to smile. Good boy. But
he's young and alone against
Brandon. It'll be that hard nut
he was loOkin' for"
"Harrd?" Bird-Eye glared at him.
"Harrdl TIL harder they come tn
better pleased he isl Sure md he's a
gluten fer work. Donnyl Nd tn
saints, they have finger into ut. too.
him a-comin' just whin they'd got pore
ovid Able licked. It'll be a tough
foight or I'm bad guesser. but d--n
mo ovnq uhuf a f0irhfor th' lad 10