grapple. At once they were surrounded by an eager circle of
spectators, who keenly relished what promised to be a lively fight, and
with excited cries urged on the youthful combatants.

So close were Raoul and Outan locked in each other's arms that they
could not use their fists, and the struggle was therefore in reality
not more than a wrestling-match.

But the more they strove the fiercer burned their rage, and the moment
that one or the other did succeed in getting a hand free, cruel use
would certainly be made of it.

While this was taking place Madame had been talking with some of the
women, little imagining how Raoul was engaged, and she might have
continued in her ignorance had not Outan's little sister run up to
them, sobbing out something which her mother at once understood, and
darted off with an exclamation of alarm.

This attracted Madame's attention, and more out of concern lest some
accident should have happened than from curiosity, she followed the
Indian woman. When they reached the crowd that surrounded the
fighters, so densely packed was it that at first they could not get
within sight of what was going on. But presently some of the men made
space for Madame in rather a shamefaced way, until she was quite close
to the struggling boys.

For a moment she thought it was only an innocent trial of strength, but
a second look at their inflamed faces and furious eyes told her the
truth, and in a horror-stricken voice she called out:

"Raoul! Raoul! what's the meaning of this? Stop it at once. I
command you."

But Raoul was in too wild a fury to hear or heed, and, realizing this,
Madame, the grace of whose form concealed an unusual degree of strength
in a woman, laid hold of the boys and tore them apart.

CHAPTER IV

OFF TO THE WOODS

Raoul rose sullenly to his feet, and faced his aunt, who fixed upon him
a look of stern displeasure mingled with sorrow.

"Oh, my nephew," she said in a tone of profound reproach, "are you not
ashamed of yourself to be engaged in such an unseemly brawl? What an
example to set those whom we are striving to teach better things! Come
away, that I may have some talk with you in private."

Raoul, his anger now having in large part given place to shame, obeyed
her bidding without a word, and they passed through the crowd into the
forest. Here Raoul found his tongue, and explained how the thing had
occurred. Madame heard him with attention and sympathy.