He merely meant to inflict a punishment which should be in a measure commensurate with the wrong which Pike had committed against him.

But the Kansan's great rage, combined with his humiliating experience in the campus, which had still further inflamed him, had driven him to more than ordinary recklessness.

He had been fairly insane.

The fire began to go out of Badger's eyes when Pike did not stir and seemed not to breathe.
"I reckon I squeezed a bit too hard!" Badger muttered, regarding the unconscious youth with some degree of anxiety.

"Well, I was wild enough to choke his heart out!" He stooped over Pike and saw the livid finger-marks on the throat.