ution yet."

"That you must teach me, Joe."

"Which I surely will, sir. In the next round, subject to no objection, I
propose to knock ye down, sir."

"Which means two dollars fifty for each on us, Joe--mind that," added
the Old Un.

"So fight more cautious, sir, do," pleaded Joe, "and--look out."

"Time!" croaked the Old Un. "Round two! And Guv, look out for yer p'int,
cover yer mark, an' keep a heye on yer kidney-pit!"

Once again they faced each other, but this time it was Joe who circled
quick and catlike, massive shoulders bowed, knees bent, craggy chin grim
and firm-set, but blue eyes serene and mild as ever. A moment's silent
sparring, a quick tread of feet, and Joe feints Ravenslee into an
opening, swings for his chin, misses by an inch, and ducking a vicious
counter, drives home a smashing body-blow and, staggering weakly,
Ravenslee goes down full length.

"Shook ye up a bit, sir?" enquired Joe, running up with hands
outstretched, "take a rest, now do, sir."

"No, no," answered Ravenslee, springing to his feet, "the Old Un hasn't
called 'Time' yet."

"Not me!" piped the old man, "not bloomin' likely! Go to it, both on
ye--mind, that's two-fifty for me, Joe!"

What need is there to tell the numerous feints, the lightning shifts,
the different tricks of in-fighting and all the cunning strategy and
ringcraft that Joe brought to bear and carefully explained between
rounds? Suffice it that at the end of a certain fierce "mix up", as
Ravenslee sat outstretched and panting, the white flesh of arms and
broad chest discovered many livid marks and patches that told their
tale; also one elbow was grazed and bleeding, and one knee showed signs
of contact with the floor.

"Joe," said he, when his wind was somewhat recovered, "that makes it
thirty dollars I owe you, I think?"

"Why, sir," said Joe, who also showed some slight signs of wear, but
whose breathing was soft and regular, "why, sir, you couldn't call that
last one a real knockdown--"

"You 'm a liar, Joe, a liar!" cried the Old Un. "Blimy, Guv, Joe's
a-tellin' you crackers, s' help me--your 'ands touched the floor, didn't
they?"

"And my knees, too," nodded Ravenslee, "also my elbow--no, that was last
time or the time before."

"Well, then, tell this lying Joe-lad o' mine as 'e surely did knock ye
down. Lord, Joe!" cried the Old Un, waxing pathetic, "'ow can ye go
takin' money from a pore old cove like I be. Joe, I blushes for
ye--an'--Time, Ti