I have put it off too long and now it is too late, and it is all because of that--that--brute beast of a Frenchman." "Mean cuss!" ejaculated Yankee.
"And I am saying," continued Macdonald Dubh, opening his heart still further, "I am saying, it was no fair fight, whatever.

I could whip him with one hand.

It was when I was pulling out Big Mack, poor fellow, from under the heap, that he took me unawares." "That's so," assented Yankee.

"Blamed lowdown trick." "And, oh, I will be praying God to give me strength just to meet him! I will ask no more.

But," he added, in bitter despair, "there is no use for me to pray.