ant, and
attacked his adversary with redoubled vigour, at the very moment when he
thought himself sure of the victory. A second time did Mash, after a
short but severe contest, close with his undaunted enemy, and, by dint
of superior strength, roughly hurled him to the ground.

The little troop of spectators, who had mistaken Harry's patient
fortitude for cowardice, began now to entertain the sincerest respect
for his courage, and gathered round the combatants in silence. A second
time did Harry rise and attack his stronger adversary with the cool
intrepidity of a veteran combatant. The battle now began to grow more
dreadful and more violent. Mash had superior strength and dexterity, and
greater habitude of fighting; his blows were aimed with equal skill and
force, and each appeared sufficient to crush an enemy so much inferior
in size, in strength, in years; but Harry possessed a body hardened to
support pain and hardship; a greater degree of activity; a cool,
unyielding courage, which nothing could disturb or daunt. Four times had
he been now thrown down by the irresistible strength of his foe; four
times had he risen stronger from his fall, covered with dirt and blood,
and panting with fatigue, but still unconquered. At length, from the
duration of the combat, and his own violent exertions, the strength of
Mash began to fail; enraged and disappointed at the obstinate resistance
he had met with, he began to lose all command of his temper, and strike
at random; his breath grew short, his efforts were more laborious, and
his knees seemed scarcely able to sustain his weight; but actuated by
rage and shame, he rushed with all his might upon Harry, as if
determined to crush him with one last effort. Harry prudently stepped
back, and contented himself with parrying the blows that were aimed at
him, till, seeing that his antagonist was almost exhausted by his own
impetuosity, he darted at him with all his force, and by one successful
blow levelled him with the ground.

An involuntary shout of triumph now burst from the little assembly of
spectators; for such is the temper of human beings, that they are more
inclined to consider superiority of force than justice; and the very
same boys, who just before were loading Harry with taunts and outrages,
were now ready to congratulate him upon his victory. He, however, when
he found his antagonist no longer capable of resistance, kindly assisted
him to rise, and told him "he was ver