oastododgeitifthrownbyFrancois,forhewasbeewiseinthewayofclubs.

    Thedriverwentabouthiswork,andhecalledtoBuckwhenhewasreadytoputhiminhisoldplafrontofDave.Buckretreatedtwoorthreesteps.Francoisfollowedhimup,whereuponheagaireated.Aftersometimeofthis,Francoisthrewdowntheclub,thinkingthatBuckfearedathrashing.ButBuckwasinope.Hewanted,nottoescapeaclubbing,buttohavetheleadership.Itwashisbyright.Hehadear,andhewouldentwithless.

    Perraulttookahaweeheyranhimaboutforthebetterpartofanhour.Theythrewclubsathim.Hedodged.Theycursedhim,andhisfathersandmothersbeforehim,andallhisseedtoeafterhimdowntotheremotestgeion,andeveryhaironhisbodyanddropofbloodinhisveins;andheansweredcursewithsnarlaoutoftheirreach.Hedidnottrytorunaway,butretreatedaroundandaroundthecamp,advertisingplainlythatwhenhisdesirewasmet,hewouldeinandbegood.

    Francoissatdownandscratchedhishead.Perraultlookedathiswatdswore.Timewasflying,andtheyshouldhavebeenorailanhone.Francoisscratchedhisheadagain.Heshookitandgrinnedsheepishlyatthecourier,whedhisshouldersinsignthattheywerebeaten.ThenFrancoiswentuptowhereSol-leksstoodandcalledtoBuck.Bucklaughed,asdogslaugh,yetkepthisdistance.FrancoisunfastenedSol-leksstradputhimbahisoldplace.Theteamstoodharhesledinanunbrokenline,readyforthetrail.TherelaceforBucksaveatthefront.OncemoreFrancoiscalled,andoncemoreBucklaughedaaway.

    "Throwdowndeclub,"Perraultanded.

    Francoisplied,whereuponBucktrottedin,laughingtriumphantly,andswungaroundintopositionattheheadoftheteam.H