eagerly toward the door. As he did so the Mexican,
about to enter the stable, appeared on the
threshold. Pat saw him too late. He crashed
headlong into the Mexican and sent him reeling
out into the inclosure. From that moment it was
to the death.

The Mexican painfully gained his feet and,
swearing a mighty vengeance, caught up a heavy
shovel. Pat saw what was coming and, dashing
out into the corral, sought protection behind the
feed-box. But the infuriated man hunted him
out, dealing upon his quivering back blow after
blow, until, stung beyond all caution, Pat sprang
for the object of his suffering. But the man
leaped aside, delivering as he did so another vicious
blow, this time across Pat's nose -- most tender of
places. Dazed, trembling, raging with the spirit
of battle, he surveyed the man a moment, and
then, with an unnatural outcry, half nicker, half
roar, he hurtled himself upon his enemy, striking
him down. But he did not stop here. When the
man attempted to rise he struck him down again,
and a third time. Then, seeing the man lying
motionless, he uttered another outcry, different
from the other, a whimpering, baby outcry, and,
whirling away from the scene, hurried across the
corral and into the stable, where he sought out
the family horse and, still whimpering babyishly,
stood very close beside her, seeking her sympathy
and encouragement.

This closed the feud for all time. Miguel was
not seriously hurt. But he had learned something,

[[52]]

p051 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p052w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p053

v?