lide over, releasing Ian
Deal. Then he sprang to Nels, calling as he caught up the fallen lance:

"Coming, old man--coming to you!"

Nels on his feet was bent to the task--the tusker sprawling, the piggy
haunches settling flat.

". . . So, it's all done, son," the man said softly. "You're the best
of them all to-day."

He laughed. Nels looked up at him in a bored way, but he still held.
Skag went back to Carlin. Ian Deal had partly risen. The American did
not catch his eye, and now Kala Khan stood between them, Carlin still
holding the rein. Skag's hand rested upon the wet trembling withers,
where the saddle had covered. There was a blue glisten to the
moisture. Skag loved the Arab very hard that moment, and no less
afterward. Kala Khan needed care at once. His wound was long and
deep, from the hock on the inside, up to the stifle-joint.

Ian Deal was on his feet, the Arab still between him and Skag's eyes.
But now her brother drew off, back turned, walking away, his arms and
hands fumbling queerly about his head, as he staggered a little.

"He will come back!" Carlin whispered.

Nels loosed now, but sat by his game--sat upon his haunches, bringing
first-aid cleansing to his shoulders and chest, where the pinned tusker
had worn against him in the battle. . . . All in astonishingly few
seconds--the blue beast still with an isolated kick or two.

It was as Carlin said. They had scarcely started toward Hurda before
they saw Ian Deal following. His pace quickened as he neared--his
first words queerly shocking:

"Is he hurt--oh, I say--is the Arab hurt?"

Skag answered: "A bad cut, but he'll be sound in a week or two."

"One might ask first, you know. He's rather a fine thing--"

Carlin seemed paler, as she held her brother with curious eyes. Ian
didn't see her. He was slowly taking in Skag, full-length.

"One might ask, you know," he repeated presently. "One couldn't make a
gift of a damaged thing. Oh, yes, you're to have him, Hantee. Things
of Kala Khan's quality gravitate to you--I was thinking of the dog, you
know--"

Skag shook his head.

"Don't make it harder for me!" Ian said fiercely. "He belongs to
you--Carlin, too, of course--no resistance of mine left. A man sees
differently--toes up."

Carlin pressed Skag's arm.

The American bowed. Ian Deal straightened.

"That's better," he breathed. "You'll see to the mount? I'd do it for
you, but I need an hour--in here among t