and was coming back; he was going to
make for the Gap, where sure safety lay.
Marston buckled his girth and as he sprang
on his horse, unconsciously taking his spear
with him, the Wild Dog dashed from the
trees at the far end of the field. As
Marston started the Wild Dog saw him, pulled
something that flashed from under his coat
of mail, thrust it back again, and brandishing
his spear, he came, full speed and
yelling, up the middle of the field. It was
a strange thing to happen in these modern
days, but Marston was an officer of the
law and was between the Wild Dog and
the Ford and liberty through the Gap, into
the hills. The Wild Dog was an outlaw.
It was Marston's duty to take him.

The law does not prescribe with what
weapon the lawless shall be subdued, and
Marston's spear was the only weapon he
had. Moreover, the Wild Dog's yell was
a challenge that set his blood afire and
the girl both loved was looking on. The
crowd gathered the meaning of the joust--
the knights were crashing toward each
other with spears at rest. There were a
few surprised oaths from men, a few low
cries from women, and then dead silence
in which the sound of hoofs on the hard