Frank Merriwell's Pursuit

and flooded the wooded mounta

ted patiently for the moon to rise, believing it would aid him on that unfamiliar ground. He was

, causing him to crouch on the al

he caught a glimpse of the man before the latter appeared in the full moonlight. When this man did app

w, distinct voice. "Stand in your tracks

d he stopped like a

ered Merriwell. "Your hea

each cover. Had he attempted it Frank would have shot him down. This Merr

unge into the shadows failed him, and reluctant

rdered Merry, as

t another voice issuing from the shado

! Ben him re

e redskin

turning his head, but he c

ot him down!" p

the assurance. "Him sh

ou fool!" snarl

was the retort. "Ben he

n the hidden redskin would shoot from cover. In his eagerness he had stepped into a bad

face to face, and we are deadly enemies. The end of our enmity

lared Del Norte. "Had you shot me from

face, and I propose that we settle our trouble ma

en, from the shadows, s

the best of you now. A friend of mine has you c

dian. "Him make fair offer. Let best man win. You kill

th the proposition, and Frank saw th

aid. "I accept Red Ben as the referee

was no method of avoiding

r of a gringo! With pistols you would be my equal, but I know t

d. "If you have a pistol, cast it aside. Should you try to shoot

aside his coat, saying his pistol was in it. He produce

that sort," said Merr

called

hrough the air and

Indian's hu

e moonlight showing a deadl

at in a twinkling. Stooping, he caught up Re

ng up his hand and deftly parried the blow of

ng back by a surge of Merry's powerfu

nkling, but once more the youn

ar as if ready to use it in a twinkling. The moonlight fell full on his dusky face,

red. "Ben he see fair play. Merriwe

, and circled. Once Del Norte uttered an exclamation of satisfaction as he struck, but Merry

e, gringo dog!" p

ood as a mile,"

ain Frank's knuckles were slightl

d!" exulted

h," was t

e knife and made it slippery. This came near proving fatal for the American youth. Again the b

led on the rock

snarled Frank's enemy

nd check the stroke that would have been fatal. With a surge he flung the Mexican aside, at the same time springing

s that was almost irresistible. He sent Frank staggering fr

of exultation, which turned into a curse as h

ight!" mutte

ad, with my knife in your heart. Then the beautiful Se?orita Inza will be min

infuriate Frank and lead h

eins, outwardly he was wonderfully cool. As always ha

ter!" he

he strokes were parried, blocked, or avoided. At last he began to realize that the American was a wonderful fighte

quick," thoug

truck him in the shoulder, from which the blood f

tect you, gringo!" h

d Red Ben. "Merriwell

fiercer and more dangerous. A little while he kept Frank

ound, he leaped backward, Spani

he watching Indian. "Merr

lowed Del

ave your knife in my heart. I could have split yours a dozen times, but I have spared you

die I do, I'll tell nothing. But

hanging by his sides, Del Norte leaped in. He was sent

earing Del Norte might attempt to flee. Instead, the man danced round Merry till his back was tow

t was seized and given a wrench that brought h

ed Ben, as he saw Merriwell

can kill you with a single stroke. I'll spare

iwell darted a figure. A heavy

he brave youth dropped his knife