of his body
behind it."

"Here, let's change sides," cried Mercer. "I want to try that."

"Right," said Lomax, and the proceedings were reversed, with the effect
that, after I had struck at my adversary, I realised that I had thrown
my head forward just as he had thrust out his rigid left arm, backed by
the whole weight of his body, and I in my turn went down sitting, almost
as much astounded as Mercer had been.

"Oh," he cried excitedly, "that's grand! I wish I had known that when
old Eely was giving it to me t'other day. Why, I feel as if I could go
and lick him now."

"I daresay you do," cried Lomax laughing. "Now, let's have that over
again. I want you both to see that a swing round blow, or even a
straight out blow, is nothing to one like that, for you see you've got
the weight of the body and the speed at which you are both moving to
give it force. Why, in a charge, when the men were at full gallop with
swords or lances extended, we had--But never mind about that," he added
quickly. "Now do you see what I mean?"

"Yes," we cried, and we went through the attack and defence over and
over again, till the blows grew so vigorous that I began to feel as if I
should like to hit harder.

"That will do," said Lomax suddenly. "You are both getting warm, and
it's half-past six."

"Nonsense!" I cried.

"It is, my lad; there goes the bell. Now then, let me untie those
gloves. That's your first lesson. What do you think of it?"

"Think of it?" cried Mercer. "I think old Eely Burr had better mind
what he's up to, or he'll find he has made a mistake."

"Hah!" said Lomax, "don't you get too puffed up, my lad. You wait, for
you don't know anything at all yet. That's just the thin end of the
wedge, but still I think you've learned something. That's it," he
continued, drawing off the gloves. "By and by you'll have to fight
against me, and I shall show you a few things that will startle you.
But are you satisfied?"

"Why, it's glorious!" I cried.

"What? to learn to fight with your fists?" said the old sergeant grimly.

"No, but to feel that you need not let everybody bully you."

"Why, you're getting as swollen up as Master Mercer here," said Lomax,
laughing. "There; when is it to be--to-morrow morning?"

"Yes, every morning," said Mercer, and the door was unbolted, and we
went out, feeling quite hot enough, with the sun shining brightly on the
newly dew-washed leaves.

"You'll spoil everythin