p, then the other, striking, tearing at
each other's throats, their very blind fury defeating their
purpose. . . . Again a turn found them on their feet, and like
snarling beasts they bounded back to the attack. Shirts were torn from
their backs, warm, gummy blood on their sweating bared bodies rendered
their grips insecure. . . . After what seemed to the watchers a
frenzied eternity, their efforts began slowly to slacken. Their grips
became more feeble, their hoarse rasping gasps for breath more
labored. . . . The Chief attempted groggily to dodge a blow. Shane
recovered his balance, rushed him low, and closed. A moment they
swayed together, then slowly the trader was lifted off his feet; a
sudden twist of Shane's shoulders, a heave, and the Chief was slammed
against the edge of the overturned table, his arm striking heavily.
Even as he went down Shane was on top of him, his hands fastened in a
death grip about Kilbuck's throat. The man's face began to turn
purple, his pale narrow eyes widened slowly, horribly until they seemed
starting from the sockets.

Then Jean screamed.

"Gregg! Kayak! Stop him! Don't let him commit murder!"

The sound of the girl's voice broke the spell that had bound the
spectators standing in the doorway. Kayak Bill and Harlan strode into
the cabin and between them tore Boreland from his enemy and placed him
on the bed in the corner, where Ellen and Lollie took charge of him.
The insensible White Chief was carried into the next room and put in
Kayak's bunk. Breathing heavily from exertion Kayak Bill stepped back
to look at him.

"That lyin' skunk's so crooked he cain't lay straight in bed, Gregg. I
was honin' somethin' powerful to horn in on that little shindy--but I
reckon Shane's bunged him up conside'ble," he drawled with immense
satisfaction, as he leaned over and felt the trader's arm. "'Pears
like he's got a busted flipper, and I know his noggin is sure addled.
Get some water, Gregg. I mout as well bring the durned squaw-pirate
back to life, 'cause when he's well again, I aim to knock hell outen
him myself----"

Kayak turned to find that his remarks had fallen on the empty air, for
Gregg and Jean, standing amid the ruins of the dish cupboard, were
oblivious to all the world except each other. His hazel eyes roved to
the bed where Ellen and Loll were welcoming Shane as if he had returned
from the dead. Kayak stood a moment.

"'Pears like I'm playin' a lone hand he