Norseman, the fierce battle-lust of the Vikings glowing in his blue
eyes. With fingers like steel claws he gripped the Irishman's shirt
collar, driving his head back against the earth with every mad
utterance.

"Ay ban Nels Swanson!" he exploded defiantly. "Ay ban Nels Swanson!
Ay ban Nels Swanson! Ay ban shovel-man by Meester Burke! Ay ban
Lutheran! Ay ban work two tollar saxty cint! You hear dose tings?
Tamn the Irish--Ay show you!"

With the swift, noiseless motion of a bird Mercedes flitted across the
narrow space, forcing her slender figure in between the two
contestants, her white teeth gleaming merrily, the bright sunshine
shimmering across her black hair. Like two stars her great eyes
flashed up imploringly into the Swede's angry face.

"No, no, senors! You no fight like de dogs vid me here. I not like
dat, I not let you. See! you strike him, you strike me. _Dios de
Dios_! I not have eet so--nevah."

A strong, compelling hand fell suddenly on Winston's shoulder, and he
glanced about into the grave, boyish countenance of Stutter Brown.

"Th-thar 's quite c-c-consid'able of a c-crowd comin' up the t-t-trail
t-ter the 'Independence,' an' B-Bill wants yer," he announced, his calm
eyes on the controversy being waged beyond in the open. "Th-thar 'll
be somethin' d-doin' presently, but I r-reckon I better s-s-straighten
out t-this yere i-i-international fracas first."

CHAPTER XX

THE GAME OF FOILS

The grave-faced, yet good-natured giant pressed his way through the
tangled mass of obstructing bushes, and unceremoniously proceeded to
proclaim peace. His methods were characteristic of one slow of speech,
yet swift of action. With one great hand gripping the Swede, he
suddenly swung that startled individual at full length backward into
the still smouldering embers of the fire, holding the gasping Mike down
to earth with foot planted heavily upon his chest. It was over in an
instant, Swanson sputtering unintelligible oaths while beating sparks
from his overalls, the Irishman profanely conscious of the damage
wrought to his eye, and the overwhelming odds against him. Senorita
Mercedes clapped her little hands in delight at the spectacle, her
steps light as those of the dance, the girlish joy in her eyes frank
and unreserved.

"Ah, de Senor Brown--_bueno_! Dey vas just children to you even ven
dey fight, hey? It vas good to see such tings doin', just like de
play."

She circled swift