THE KIOT 257 



carriage. Jarvis's face was covered with blood, 

 and Jack's neck and shoulders were drenched, 

 his wound had bled freely. Lars had relieved 

 the ladies on the box after administering kicks 

 and blows in generous measure to the dazed and 

 crippled miners, who were crawling off the road 

 or staggering along it. The Swede had a strain 

 of fierce North blood which was not easily laid 

 when once aroused, and he glared around the 

 battle-field, hoping to find signs of resistance. 

 When none were to be seen, he donned his 

 coachman's coat and sat the box like a sphinx. 



The girls went quickly forward to meet the 

 men. They said little, but they put their hands 

 on their battered champions in a way to make 

 the heart of man glad. The men were flushed 

 and proud, as men have been, and men will be, 

 through all time, when they have striven sav- 

 agely against other savages in the sight of their 

 mistresses, and have gained the victory. Their 

 bruises were numb with exultation and their 

 wounds dumb with pride. There was no regret 

 for blows given or received, no sympathy for 

 fallen foe. The male fights, in the presence of 

 the female, with savage delight, from the lowest 

 to the highest ranks of creation, and we must 

 forgive our boys for some cruel exultation as they 

 looked on the field of strife. Better feelings will 

 come when the blood flows less rapidly in their 

 veins ! 



" We must hurry home," said Jane, and let 



