suddenly white as Rome turned again and reached down for the
guns.

"I reckon I'll put 'em a leetle furder out o' the way," he said,
kicking the knife over the cliff; and, standing on a stone, he thrust
them into a crevice high above his head.

"Now, Jas, we'll fight this gredge out, as our grandads have done
afore us."

Lewallen and Stetson were man to man at last. Suspicion was gone
now, and a short, brutal laugh came from the cliff.

"I'll fight ye! Oh, by God, I'll fight ye!"

The ring of the voice struck an answering gleam from Rome's gray
eyes, and the two sprang for each other. It was like the struggle of
primeval men who had not yet learned even the use of clubs. For
an instant both stood close, like two wild beasts crouched for a
spring, and circling about to get at each other's throats, with
mouths set, eyes watching eyes, and hands twitching nervously.
Young Jasper leaped first, and the Stetson, wary of closing with
him, shrank back. There were a few quick, heavy blows, and the
Lewallen was beaten away with blood at his lips. Then each knew
the advantage of the other. The Stetson's reach was longer; the
Lewallen was shorter and heavier, and again he closed in. Again
Rome sent out his long arm. A turn of Jasper's head let the heavy
fist pass over his shoulder. The force of the blow drove Rome
forward; the two clinched, and Jasper's arms tightened about the
Stetson's waist. With a quick gasp for breath Rome loosed his