bodily strength. Both of us were sadly hindered by the sliding sand on
which we strove. Twice I thought I had him, when my footing failed;
and once he held me fairly uplifted from the ground, yet could not make
the toss. 'T was a wild grapple, for when we had exhausted all the
tricks we knew, it came to be a sheer test of physical endurance.
Then, for the first time, I felt myself the master,--though he was a
man, that gay French dandy, and never did my ribs crack under the
pressure of a stronger hand. But I slowly pressed him back, inch by
inch, struggling like a demon to the last, until I forced his shoulders
to the sand.

For a moment he lay there, panting heavily; then the old frank and easy
smile came upon his lips.

"Your hand, monsieur," he said; "that is, if it yet retains sufficient
strength to lift me."

Upon his feet he brushed the sand from out his long hair, and bowed
gallantly.

"I have done my very best, Mademoiselle. 'Tis defeat, but not
disgrace, for I have made your giant puff to win. May I not hope it
has won me restoration to your good graces?"




CHAPTER IX

IN SIGHT OF THE FLAG