nd how much that
happy facility would be increased by a band carried by thongs of leather
round the arm as high as the elbow, and terribly strengthened about the
knuckles by a plate of iron, and sometimes a plummet of lead. Yet this,
which was meant to increase, perhaps rather diminished, the interest of
the fray; for it necessarily shortened its duration. A very few blows,
successfully and scientifically planted, might suffice to bring the
contest to a close; and the battle did not, therefore, often allow full
scope for the energy, fortitude, and dogged perseverance that we
technically style _pluck_, which not unusually wins the day against
superior science, and which heightens to so painful a delight the
interest in the battle and the sympathy for the brave.

"Guard thyself!" growled Tetraides, moving nearer and nearer to his foe,
who rather shifted round him than receded.

Lydon did not answer, save by a scornful glance of his quick, vigilant
eye. Tetraides struck--it was as the blow of a smith on a vise; Lydon
sank suddenly on one knee--the blow passed over his head. Not so
harmless was Lydon's retaliation; he quickly sprang to his feet, and
aimed his cestus full on the broad chest of his antagonist. Tetraides
reeled--the populace shouted.

"You are unlucky to-day," said Lepidus to Clodius: "you have lost one
bet; you will lose another."

"By the gods! my bronzes go to the auctioneer if that is the case. I
have no less than a hundred sestertia upon Tetraides. Ha, ha! see how he
rallies! That was a home stroke: he has cut open Lydon's shoulder.--A
Tetraides!--a Tetraides!"

"But Lydon is not disheartened. By Pollux! how well he keeps his temper!
See how dextrously he avoids those hammer-like hands!--dodging now here,
now there--circling round and round. Ah, poor Lydon! he has it again."

"Three to one still on Tetraides! What say you, Lepidus?"

"Well--nine sestertia to three--be it so! What! again Lydon. He
stops--he gasps for breath. By the gods, he is down! No--he is again on
his legs. Brave Lydon! Tetraides is encouraged--he laughs loud--he
rushes on him."

"Fool--success blinds him--he should be cautious. Lydon's eye is like a
lynx's!" said Clodius, between his teeth.

"Ha, Clodius! saw you that? Your man totters! Another blow--he falls--he
falls!"

"Earth revives him then. He is once more up; but the blood rolls down
his face."

"By the Thunderer! Lydon wins it. See how he presses on him! That blo