had
begun the fight and meant to win. The fellow had taken a bribe to ruin
him.

He lifted the bar, struck hard, and missed as his antagonist stepped
back. Then the latter swung his ax and Jim bent from the waist as the
shining blade swept past. They were now in the moonlight and he saw
the other's face; it was the man who had gone fishing with Davies, and
he gave way to a fury that banished caution. The fellow had a longer
reach and looked cool; indeed, he seemed to be studying Jim with
ironical humor. While the latter, breathing hard, watched for an
opening, he lowered his ax.

"Suppose we quit fooling and talk about the thing?" he said.

"I'm not fooling," Jim rejoined.

"Anyhow, you'd better quit. I could get you with the ax, if I wanted,
but I've not much use for that. I'd sooner you stopped here while I
light out."

"You'd starve before you made the settlement."

"I guess not. There's enough flour and pork in a cache to see me
through."

"The trouble is, you can't make the cache," said Jim. "I've watched
for you since the first wall broke and you earned the money Davies
promised. Put down the ax and start for camp."

"Davies?" said the other. "Do you mean the guy who came along with the
Indian packers?"

"Are you pretending you don't know the man?"

"It doesn't matter, anyhow," the other rejoined. "I'm not going back
to camp, and there's something coming to you if you try to take me."

Jim meant to take him and wondered how far he could trust to bluff. If
he could get near enough, he might knock out the fellow with the bar
and yet not do him a serious injury. The ax was dangerous, but it was
possible the other would hesitate about using it. In Canada, crimes of
violence are generally punished, and even in the wilds offenders seldom
long escape the Northwest Police. Yet there was a risk.

"You are coming with me," he said, and advanced with lifted bar.

The other cut at him and he narrowly missed the blow. He tried to run
in before the fellow could recover from his swing, but was not quick
enough. The ax went up and he met the blade with the bar. The keen
steel beat down the wood and went through when it met the ground, and
Jim was left with a foot or two of the handle. Stepping back, he
hurled it at his antagonist and heard it strike with a heavy thud. The
fellow staggered, but did not fall and, getting his balance, advanced
on Jim. The blow had roused him to fury and he saw