The Gleam Of Gold

Southland Times, Issue 22728, 2 November 1935, Page 18

The Gleam Of Gold

CHAPTER 9. As Pat ran through the trees he did not heed the thorny vines which lashed his face and neck, for his brain was in a ferment of fury<against the man who had done so vile a trick. He reached the tent and shouted to its occupant, and in his impatience, he burst inside, tc find Joe Harper who crouched at bay against the farther wall, his lips drawn back in a snarl of terror. “You miserable beast!” Pat flung at him from between clenched teeth, as he leapt across the tent. Jos Harper sprang and in his hand was a long knife.

Quick to see his danger, Pat sprang aside. The knife struck his arm. With the sudden pain adding a last blaze to the flame of fury which consumed him, he lunged forward. His clenched fist crashed to Harper’s jaw, and with a groan, the would-be murderer sank unconscious to the ground. The knife lay, glinting wickedly in the doorway. In his pain and. anger, Pat might have killed him, unconscious though he was, had not Bill Rolands arrived, and held him back by main force until he had calmed sufficiently to allow his arm to be examined.

When Rolands had bandaged his wound, after satisfying himself that it was not serious, the unconscious man had revived and was nursing his injured jaw. Pat’s eyes blazed as he regarded him once more. “Now you,” he said. “You tried to knife me, so I’m going to take you out and make you fight, despite your injured jaw.” But Allan stepped between them. “No you’re not, Pat,” he said. “I’ll settle the rest of the score. Your arm won’t stand any more.” “No!” said Pat. “I’m .” Rolands intervened. “No, Pat, Allan’s right. Your arm won’t stand any more. You’ll have to leave the rest to him.” Pat sighed resignedly and followed them outside. Then the wretched man came to life. Terror turned him, normally a coward, into a wild beast. He fought like a desperate madman. There was no science in the battle, and Allan had much to hold his own. The combatants were both exhausted when with a lucky punch Allan knocked him to the ground, where he lay, but as he fell something dropped from his pocket. Pat snatched it up and a cry left his lips. It was their own gold. “He stole it! He .” Pat’s voice failed him.

—Cousin Isobel McKenzie (13), Dipton.