life
became savage images that looked something less than human. Nick, larger
than his brother, was a tower of thew and muscle. As he stood there,
clad in a cotton shirt and trousers belted at the waist, he was the
figure of a perfect man. His shaggy head was thrown back, but his
handsome face was distorted by its expression of hate. Ralph was the
smaller by inches, but his muscles were as fine-tempered steel. There
was even more of the wild in his expression than in that of his brother.
The ferocity in his face was wolfish, and not good to look upon.

Both had bared their hunting-blades, long knives at once vicious and
coldly significant.

There was no further word. The men bent low and moved circling round
each other. Their attitudes were much those of wrestlers seeking an
advantageous "holt." By common consent they avoided the tree, keeping to
the oozing soil of the open.

Ralph displayed the more activity. His lesser stature inclined to a
quickness his brother did not possess. He sought to use art to draw the
impetuosity of the other, and kept up a series of feints. But strangely
enough Nick displayed a control which was surprising. He had a full
appreciation of the life and death struggle. He had faced it too often
with the dumb adversaries of the forest. It was Ralph who became
incautious. His fury could not long be held in check, and his cunning at
the start of the fight soon gave place to a wild and slashing onslaught,
while Nick fought on the defensive, reading in his brother's eyes the
warning of every contemplated attack.

But Ralph's swift movements harassed Nick; they pressed him sorely, and
often drove him to extremity in his defence. For long he kept distance,
knowing that while the other was wasting strength his own was being
carefully husbanded.

Ten minutes passed. Still they had not come together. Ralph charged in
with upraised knife; the blow was warded, and he passed on only to swing
round on the instant and repeat the attack from the opposite direction.
But always Nick faced him, grim, determined, and with deadly purpose.
Once the latter slipped; the footing was none too secure. Instantly
Ralph hurled himself upon him and his blade scored his brother's arm,
leaving a trail of blood from elbow to wrist. That one touch let loose
Nick's pent-up fury and he allowed himself to be drawn.

The two came together with a terrific impact. Nick slipped again. This
time he could not save himself. His fe