Chapter I: Front Matter

THE FIGHTING EDGE

By WILLIAM MACLEOD RAINE

Author of "Man-Size," "Gunsight Pass," "Tangled Trails," Etc.

Boston and New York HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY The Riverside Press Cambridge 1922

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COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY WILLIAM MACLEOD RAINE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Riverside Press CAMBRIDGE . MASSACHUSETTS PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

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TO MY MOTHER

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I. Pete's Girl 1
II. "A Spunky Li'l' Devil" 7
III. Pals 12
IV. Clipped Wings 17
V. June asks Questions 25
VI. "Don't You Touch Him!" 33
VII. An Elopement 41
VIII. Blister Gives Advice 50
IX. The White Feather 58
X. In the Image of God 68
XI. June Prays 76
XII. Mollie Takes Charge 86
XIII. Bear Cat Asks Questions 93
XIV. Houck Takes a Ride 100
XV. A Scandal Scotched 106
XVI. Blister as Deus ex Machina 110
XVII. The Back of a Bronc 117
XVIII. The First Day 123
XIX. Dud Qualifies as Court Jester 127
XX. "The Bigger the Hat the Smaller the Herd" 135
XXI. June Discovers a New World 141
XXII. An Alternative Proposed and Declined 145
XXIII. Bob Crawls his Hump Sudden 150
XXIV. In the Saddle 158
XXV. The Rio Blanco puts in a Claim 162
XXVI. Cutting Sign 171
XXVII. Partners in Peril 179
XXVIII. June is Glad 189
XXIX. "Injuns" 194
XXX. A Recruit Joins the Rangers 200
XXXI. "Don't you like me any more?" 207
XXXII. A Cup of Cold Water 214
XXXIII. "Keep A-Comin', Red Haid" 222
XXXIV. An Obstinate Man stands Pat 230
XXXV. Three in a Pit 237
XXXVI. A Hero is Embarrassed 242
XXXVII. A Responsible Citizen 249
XXXVIII. Bear Cat Asleep 253
XXXIX. Bear Cat Awake 258
XL. Big-Game Hunters at Work 262
XLI. In a Lady's Chamber 266
XLII. A Walk in the Park 270
XLIII. Not even Powder-burnt 278
XLIV. Bob holds his Red Haid high 284
XLV. The Outlaw gets a Bad Break 290
XLVI. The End of a Crooked Trail 297
XLVII. The Kingdom of Joy 301

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THE FIGHTING EDGE

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THE FIGHTING EDGE