The Man in the Twilight

ty remained definite even under the stirring of fierce excitement. They had gathered for a fight, a great fight between two creatures, full human in shape and splendid manho

savage out-world, acknowledging only

tched and redoubtable, even in a community whose only deity was physical might and courag

the summer day, with its ravishing accompaniment of soft, mystery sounds from an unseen world and the lavish beauty of shadowed woods were fit setting for the pulsing of savage emotions. It was far out in t

e, hoary with age, and gnarled with the sinews built up by Nature to resist her fiercest storms. They lay there, in every direction, reac

the skeleton. They were dotted about in a fashion apparently without order or purpose. Yet long be

mber-jack's work must go forward without cessation or break of any sort. Not even the excuse of sickness can be accepted. There is no excuse. The lumber-jack must work, or sink to th

riving them. They come from the universities of the world. They come straight from the gates of the penitentiary. They come from the land, the sea, the office. They com

as changed position, while the clinch remained unrelaxed. There were movements of gripping hands. There were changes of position in the intertwined legs clad in their hard cord trouse

gers yearned to reach the eyes of the adversary to blind him, and leave his organs of vision gouged from their sockets. The bared, strong teeth were only awaiting that dire chance to close

, the skill, the chance of it. Not one of them but had fought just such a battle in his time, and not

raised threateningly. It remained poised for a fraction of time over the upturned face of the man lying in a position of disadvantage. Then it lunged down

sed it th

beside him had nothing to add at the moment.

ate hold. It was impossible to ascertain the means he employed. But he clearly released himself and one hammer f

That ain't the play in a 'ro

turning. "He's crazy. Gee! It's a chance. But he's

ting with a cant-hook in his exci

s movement in the human body crushed on the ground beneath the man they called Bull. Its knee

I'm

wung his body clear and the threatened injury was averted. But his retaliation was instant. His great

e! Go

e had been smothered was Arden Laval, the camp boss, the man they hated as only forest-men can hate. The other was a gia

rts were directed towards a deeper, more significant purpose, and perhaps less cruel. He could have blinded in a twinkling. But he refrained. Instea

l! Why in hel

the excited voice of th

r Master Bull. He's playin' bigger. He's playin' fer dollars while we was

ki

ere alight with fiendish joy. This youngster had gone beyond all expectations. N

out o' the skunk," he exulted. "The ki

?" Tug had th

be. "He shouldn't a let the boy get that

, drunkard, bully, Arden Laval, who only held his position by reason of his fighting powers. They would be infinitely pleased to witness his end. All the more sure was their delight that it should come at the hands of this pleasant-voiced young giant,

e of the camp boss was hidden from the spectators under the smothering hand. But the perilous angle at which his dark head was thrust

his every effort. The memory of months of brutal injustice and bullying, the bitterness of which had galled beyond endurance, supported this last mighty effort. Yes, for all he was bred

used. There were those whose nerves prompted them to shout for haste. There were some even who welcomed the prolonged agony of the victim. But none shouted, none spoke or stirred.

nanimity of the change of interest suggested the desire for relief. The commotion continued. There was some sort of struggle go

pon the point of fascination which had held them so

ed Luke, in the bitter

e, I

na. But the powerful hand of Abe was fasten

kid!" he cri

s were stirred out o

ngs around. That's Father Adam. Maybe you're feeling sick to think Laval's going to get clear with his life. Maybe I am.

. Then, with kaleidoscopic suddenness, the men lay apart, and the death strangle hold of Bull Sternford was broken. And the magic of it all lay in the fact that the stranger was sta

ull." Father Adam spoke quietly, d

d quickly into a pocket of his short, black, semi-clerical coat, as

out quick. Get right out to your shanty and stop t

ndsome blue eyes were ablaze with almost demoniac fury. His purpose was obv

with purpose no less, i

d sharply. "Wha

overing him. He stood for a second staring stupidly. And something of his madne

t at him. Oh, God, I

w to make it stop your mad attempt. That's better," he went on, as, even in his fury the younger man drew back in face of the threat. "Say, you've done enough, boy. You've done all you need. He's deserved everything he's got, the sam

e fury of the youth died hard, but it so lessened in face of the simpl

ed to his mane of fair hair, and he smoo

ically: "Why should-he-get away with

is emotions wer

ad not stirred. He still lay sprawled on the ground. Quite abruptly the hand gripping the automatic pistol was thrust in

all ways, and glad you-didn't." Then he paused, holding the man's unresisting arm. He looked down at Laval who displayed belated signs of movement. "Get up,

waiting he realised by the quiescence of th

e stood for a moment as though uncertain. Then he moved slowly towards the crowding onlookers, finally passing through them on his way to his quarters pursued by a hu

creatures. But for the presence of Father Adam, who seemed to exercise a miraculous restraining influence, these lumber-jacks would have crowded in and forcibly borne their champion to the suttler's store for those copious libations, which,