Seite 218 von 416

The big Frenchman, who wore tremendous earrings, a bright scarlet

cap with a blue tuft, and a gay sash, lurched through the crowd

and against Pete Ellinwood with a malice only too plain. But his

effort was attended with failure. Not only did Pete stand like a

rock, but he thrust the other violently back with his shoulder,

so that he recoiled upon those behind him, earning their

loud-voiced curses.

"Mille tonnerres!" bellowed the Frenchman. "You insult me,

_cochon Canadien_, Canadian pig! The half of sidewalk is mine,

eh? You push me off, eh? You fight, eh?"

Code urged Ellinwood along and interceded personally, knowing

that the big man would not touch him.

But the Frenchman would not be appeased. He was just drunk enough

to become obsessed with the ugly idea that Pete had laid a trap

to insult him, and, regardless of Code, kept after the mate.