Page:London - Son of the Wolf, 1900.djvu/82

68 his face. Then Bettles, revolver in hand and coolly waiting a chance, settled the combat.

"'T was a square game, Kid," Lon remarked, rising to his feet and shaking the snow from out his sleeves; "with a fair percentage to meself that bucked it."

That night, while Lon McFane sought the forgiving arms of the Church in the direction of Father Roubeau's cabin, Malemute Kid and Scruff Mackenzie talked long to little purpose.

"But would you," persisted Mackenzie, "supposing they had fought?"

"Have I ever broken my word?"

"No; but that is n't the point. Answer the question. Would you?"

Malemute Kid straightened up. "Scruff, I 've been asking myself that question ever since, and"—

"Well?"

"Well, as yet, I have n't found the answer."