your chap."

I heard Mercer grind his teeth, and I felt giddy with excitement as he
whispered to me,--

"Don't be afraid of him, he's a coward. Take off your things, and you
try hard if you can't lick him."

"Must I fight?" I said.

"Now then, you sir, off with that jacket," cried Burr major, "or he'll
give you the coward's blow."

This roused me, and I stripped for the battle, feeling very nervous and
uncomfortable, while Mercer drew a long breath, mastered the pain he was
in, and, after throwing my jacket and waistcoat in the bin with his own,
began to whisper his instructions to me.

"Now then, off you go," said Burr major. "Be smart, Dicksee, the bell
will go directly."

Dicksee made a savage run at me as I put up my arms, there were a few
blows, all of which came to my share, and there was a roar of laughter
as the round ended in a struggle, and I went down, with Dicksee on me,
and my head giving a stunning rap on the boards.

"Don't let him wrestle with you," whispered Mercer excitedly, as he
helped me up, and I sat upon his knee, feeling very dizzy and half blind
with rage.

"There," shouted Burr major, "finish the beggar this time, Dicky!"

I have some recollection of our encountering again, and feeling blow
after blow on my face, on my ear, chest, and shoulders; and our going
down once more in another wrestling match.

"Never mind," whispered Mercer; "you're doing splendidly."

"Am I?" I gasped.

"Yes; only keep him off more, and hit straight out like he does."

"Now then," cried Burr major again, "I want to go and wash my hands.
Come along, new boy, and lay your nose against old Dicksy's left, and
your left eye against his right, and then he'll smooth your cheeks over
and lay you on the boards, and by that time I think you'll be about
cooked."

"Don't let him lick you," whispered Mercer imploringly. "Do give it him
this time. Hit him on the nose always, he don't like that."

"There!" roared Burr major, as, giddy and confused, I was swinging my
arms about, hitting nothing half the time, and never getting one blow
home with any force to signify, and at last, after a few minutes of
burning rage and confusion, during which I had received quite a shower
of blows, I found myself, giddy and panting, seated upon the floor,
listening to Burr major's voice.

"That's enough, Dicky; that'll do the beggars no end of good, and make
'em behave themselves when they meet gentlemen. Come on, boys.