rms of Diggory.

Once more the combatants approached each other, this time with a little
more feinting and dodging, which showed a certain amount of respect for
the weight of each other's fists. At length, urged on to further feats
of arms by impatient ejaculations of "Now, then, go into it!" and "Keep
the game alive!" from Fletcher and Andson, they closed again, and after
a sharp interchange of rather random pounding, Jack smote his opponent
on the nose, and received in return a heavy blow on the chest which very
nearly sent him to the ground.

After this there was another short breathing-space; a thin stream of
blood was trickling from Grundy's nasal organ, while Diggory and Mugford
noticed with aching hearts that their comrade was beginning to look
rather limp, and was getting short of breath.

What would have been the ultimate result of the contest had it been
resumed I am sure I cannot say, but I fear that, taking Grundy's
superior weight and height into consideration, the story of the fight
would have been recorded among the trials and not the triumphs of the
Triple Alliance. As it was, a sudden interruption brought the encounter
to a premature close.

"Hullo, you young beggars! what are you up to?"

The voice was that of Allingford, who, attracted by cries of "Go it!"--
"Give him another!"--"Bravo, Vance!" and other warlike shouts, had
hurried round to the rear of the pavilion to find out what was
happening.

"Hullo!" he continued, stepping forward and grasping Grundy by the
shoulder; "what's up? what's the joke?"

"It's only a bit of a fight," said Andson; "they had a row this
morning."

"What, d'you mean to say you're fighting that youngster? Why don't you
choose some one a bit smaller?" demanded the captain, rather bitterly.

"Well, it's his own doing," growled Grundy. "I offered to let him off,
but he wanted to have it out."

"Pshaw!" returned the other. "Look here, I've half a mind to give you
two a jolly good 'impot' to keep you out of mischief. Now stop it,
d'you hear, or I'll send both your names in to Denson."

Fletcher and Andson had already beaten a retreat, and Grundy was
preparing to follow, when Allingford called him back.

"Come," he said, in a kinder tone. "I don't know what your quarrel's
about, but finish it up like men, and shake hands."

The boys did as they were told, and though the salutation was not a very
hearty one, it helped to extinguish the smouldering sparks of a