ust in the humour; but what does it mean?
Black eyes and bruises, and the skin off one's knuckles, and a nasty
feeling that one has degraded one's self into fighting a blackguard, for
that's what he is, or he wouldn't have insulted you as he did just
now.--Come away."

"Oh, I didn't think you were such a coward, Glyn."

"And you don't think so now," replied Glyn coolly. "You are in a
regular rage, and that's just the difference between you Indian fellows
and an Englishman. You begin going off like a firework."

"Yes, and you go off as if you had had cold water poured on you."

"Very likely," replied Glyn. "There, we are both hot now. Let's try
and cool down. I don't care whether it seems cowardly or whether it
doesn't; but I am not going to get up a fight and make an exhibition of
myself for the other fellows to see. Once was quite enough; and perhaps
after all it's harder work to bear a thing like this than to go over
yonder and punch old Slegge's head and have it out."

"I don't care whether it is or not," said Singh fiercely. "Let's go,
and if you won't fight, I will."

"Look here, Singhy; you and I have had lots of wrestles, haven't we?"

"Yes; but what's that got to do with it?"

"Why, this. I am not bragging; but I have more muscle in my arms than
you have, and if I like I can put you on your back at any time."

"Ur-r-r-r-r-ur!" growled Singh.

"That means you own it. Well now, look here; if you try to get away
from me I'll put you down on your back and sit upon you till you grow
cool."

"Do if you dare!" cried Singh.

Glyn closed with him on the instant. There was a short struggle. The
young Indian prince was laid neatly upon his back almost without an
effort on the part of Glyn, who the next moment was seated calmly
astride his companion's chest, fortunately well out of sight of the
group beneath the elms. Then for a few minutes Singh heaved and
struggled, glaring the while into his companion's eyes, until, as if he
had caught the contagion of the good-humoured smile in Glyn's frank
young face, a change came over Singh's, and the fierce heaving gave way
to a movement that was certainly the beginning of a laugh, followed by a
good-humoured appeal.

"Let me get up, Glyn. I am quite quiet now," said the boy.

"No games?"

"No; honour bright. It's all over now, and I don't want to fight."

The next minute the two lads were walking away as if nothing had
happened.

CHAPTER TWEN