orce of the blow that
was descending upon him fell to the earth floor. In another instant
his free arm had encircled Rod's neck, and for a few brief moments the
two were locked in a crushing embrace, neither being able to use the
weapon in his hand without offering an advantage to the other.

In that respite, which only death could follow, Rod's brain worked
with the swiftness of fire. He was lying face downward upon his enemy;
the Woonga was flat upon his back, the latter's knife hand stretched
out behind his head with Rod's knife hand locking it. For either to
strike a blow both of their fighting hands must be freed. In the first
instant of that freedom, the savage, with his arm already extended,
could deliver a blow sooner than his antagonist, who would have to
raise his arm as well as strike. In other words, by the time Rod's
knife was poised his enemy's would be buried in his breast. With a
curious thrill the white youth saw the fearful odds against him in
their position. If he remained clutched in the Indian's embrace there
would be only one end. He would die, and Minnetaki would be more than
ever in the power of her captor.

There was only one chance now, and that was to break away, at least
to free himself enough to get hold of his revolver. He was nerving
himself for the strain when, turning his head a trifle sidewise, he
saw Minnetaki. The girl had risen to her feet, and Rod saw that her
hands were bound behind her. She, too, realized the disadvantage of
Rod's position in the contest, and now with a thrilling cry she sprang
to the outlaw's head and stepped with all her weight upon his extended
arm.

"Quick, Rod--quick!" she cried. "Strike! Strike!"

With a terrible yell the powerful savage wrenched his arm free; in a
last superhuman effort he swung his knife upward as Rod's blade sank
to the hilt in his breast, and the blow fell with a sickening thud
under Rod's arm. With a sharp cry the young hunter staggered to his
feet, and the Indian's knife fell from him, red with blood. Making
an effort to control himself he picked up the knife and loosed the
captive girl's arms.

There came over him then a strange dizziness, a weakness in his limbs.
He was conscious that his head was sinking, and he knew, too, that a
pair of arms was about him, and that from what seemed to be a great,
great distance a voice was calling to him, calling his name. And then
he seemed to be sinking into a deep and painless sleep.

Wh