The Fatal Cord

e no objection to that. It's equal for both," remarks Randall.

"I make no objection," says Brandon.

"Nor I," assents the young hunter; "tie as you please, so long as you tie alike."

"Good!" ejaculates Bill Buck, with a sly wink to his companions, unseen by the last speaker.

The competitors stand under the branch of the tree ready to be tied. A minute or two sufficed for this. It is done by a piece of string cord looped upon the left wrist, and then carried round the thigh. By this means the left arm is secured against struggling or in anyway lessening the strain upon the right.

Thus pinioned, both stand ready for the trial.

"Who goes first?" is the question asked by Slaughter. "The challenger, or the challenged?"

"The challenged has the choice," answers Randall. "Do you wish it, Choc?" he adds, addressing himself to the quarter-bred Indian.

"It makes no difference to me whether first