The effect of the choking had passed away.

He felt himself a match for Woodell.
With the revulsion of feeling came then suddenly upon him a rage against this would-be midnight slayer so great that he was calm in his very savagery.

He laughed, as was his way.
"You were very foolish.

You should have brought a knife or club.

Kill me! Why, man, do you suppose if you were to try to get away now I would let you go?
I want you, you murderer, I want you!" And he reached out his hands toward the other and opened and shut them clutchingly; and then with a snarl Woodell leaped forward and the two men grappled like bull-dogs.
Well for Harlson was it that through all the weeks he had been swinging the maul and ax, and that his muscles were hard and his endurance great, for Woodell was counted one of the strong men of the region.