is throat broke a
sound to curdle the blood of even the bravest.

On the moor below Ouglat heard the cry and answered it with one equally
ferocious.

Mal Shaff took a step forward, then stopped stock-still. Through his
brain went a sharp command to return to the spot where he had stood, to
wait there until attacked. He stepped back, shifting his feet
impatiently.

He was growing larger; every second fresh vitality was pouring into him.
Before his eyes danced a red curtain of hate and his tongue roared forth
a series of insulting challenges to the figure that was even now
approaching the foot of the hill.

As Ouglat climbed the hill, the night became an insane bedlam. The
challenging roars beat like surf against the black cliffs.

Ouglat's lips were flecked with foam, his red eyes were mere slits, his
mouth worked convulsively.

They were only a few feet apart when Ouglat charged.

* * * * *

Mal Shaff was ready for him. There was no longer any difference in their
size and they met like the two forward walls of contending football
teams.

Mal Shaff felt the soft throat of the other under his fingers and his
grip tightened. Maddened, Ouglat shot terrific blow after terrific blow
into Mal Shaff's body.

Try as he might, however, he could not shake the other's grip.

It was silent now. The night seemed brooding, watching the struggle on
the hilltop.

Larger and larger grew Mal Shaff, until he overtopped Ouglat like a
giant.

Then he loosened his grip and, as Ouglat tried to scuttle away, reached
down to grasp him by the nape of his neck.

High above his head he lifted his enemy and dashed him to the ground.
With a leap he was on the prostrate figure, trampling it apart, smashing
it into the ground. With wild cries he stamped the earth, treading out
the last of Ouglat, the Black Horror.

When no trace of the thing that had been Ouglat remained, he moved away
and viewed the trampled ground.

Then, for the first time he noticed that the crest of the hill was
crowded with other monstrous figures. He glared at them, half in
surprise, half in anger. He had not noticed their silent approach.

"It is Mal Shaff!" cried one.

"Yes, I am Mal Shaff. What do you want?"

"But, Mal Shaff, Ouglat destroyed you once long ago!"

"And I, just now," replied Mal Shaff, "have destroyed Ouglat."

The figures were silent, shifting uneasily. Then one stepped forward.

"Mal Shaff," it said