Upon the ground were so many dead that the numbers
of the two forces were now more nearly equal. But Boarface had brave
followers. They ranged themselves together at a safe distance and then
started for the flame wall with a rush, to leap it all together.
There was another arrow-flight as the onslaught came, and more men went
down, but the charge could not be stopped. Over the low flame-crests shot
a great mass of bodies, there to meet that which was not good for them.
The struggle was swift and deadly, but the forces were almost evenly
matched now and the insiders had the advantage. Boarface and Ab met face
to face in the melee and each leaped toward the other with a yell. There
was to be a fight which must be excellent, for two strong leaders were
meeting and there were many lives at stake.
CHAPTER XXIX.
OLD HILLTOP'S LAST STRUGGLE.
Even as he leaped the flames, the desperate Boarface hurled at Ab a
fragment of stone, which was a thing to be wisely dodged, and the invader
was fairly on his feet and in position to face his adversary as the axes
came together. More active, more powerful, it may be, and certainly more
intelligent, was Ab than Boarface, but the leader of the assailants had
been a raider from early youth and knew how to take advantage. In those
fierce days to attain the death of an enemy, in any way, was the
practical end sought in a conflict.
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