ongue!" said the referee.

Montgomery slipped to the left again and yet again, but the Master was
too quick and clever for him. He struck round and got him full on the
face as he tried once more to break away. Montgomery's knees weakened
under him, and he fell with a groan on the floor. This time he knew
that he was done. With bitter agony he realised, as he groped blindly
with his hands, that he could not possibly raise himself. Far away and
muffled he heard, amid the murmurs of the multitude, the fateful voice
of the timekeeper counting off the seconds.

"One--two--three--four--five--six--"

"Time!" said the referee.

Then the pent-up passion of the great assembly broke loose. Croxley
gave a deep groan of disappointment. The Wilsons were on their feet,
yelling with delight. There was still a chance for them. In four more
seconds their man would have been solemnly counted out. But now he had
a minute in which to recover. The referee looked round with relaxed
features and laughing eyes. He loved this rough game, this school for
humble heroes, and it was pleasant to him to intervene as a _Deus ex
machina_ at so dramatic a moment. His chair and his hat were both
tilted at an extreme angle; he and the timekeeper smiled at each other.
Ted Barton and the other second had rushed out and thrust an arm each
under Montgomery's knee, the other behind his loins, and so carried him
back to his stool. His head lolled upon his shoulder, but a douche of
cold water sent a shiver through him, and he started and looked round
him.

"He's a' right!" cried the people round. "He's a rare brave lad.
Good lad! Good lad!" Barton poured some brandy into his mouth.
The mists cleared a little, and he realised where he was and what he had
to do. But he was still very weak, and he hardly dared to hope that he
could survive another round.

"Seconds out of the ring!" cried the referee. "Time!"

The Croxley Master sprang eagerly off his stool.

"Keep clear of him! Go easy for a bit," said Barton, and Montgomery
walked out to meet his man once more.

He had had two lessons--the one when the Master got him into his corner,
the other when he had been lured into mixing it up with so powerful an
antagonist. Now he would be wary. Another blow would finish him; he
could afford to run no risks. The Master was determined to follow up
his advantage, and rushed at him, slogging furiously right and left.
But Montgomery was too youn