y," said the Doctor, with grim seriousness, "and a very correct
thing too; that is," he continued hastily, as if he had some slight idea
of the suggestiveness of his remark, "I mean, that Severn behaved very
well in refusing to fight. But he turned upon Slegge, of course, after
such an incitement as that."

"No, sir, he didn't; he only stood there looking very red and with his
lips quivering, and looking quite wild and reproachful at Singh."

"Oh!" said the Doctor. "Then Singh has been in it too?"

"Yes, sir; Singh came at him like a lion, and said he was a coward and a
cur, and that they'd never be friends again. But Severn did not speak a
word, and before we knew what was going to happen next, Slegge took hold
of Singh's ear and asked him what it had to do with him, and he called
him a nigger and an impudent foreign brat; and almost before we knew
where we were, Singh hit Slegge quick as lightning, one-two right in the
face, and then stepped back and began to take off his jacket; but before
he could pull it off, Slegge got at him; and the boys hissed, sir, for
while Singh's hands were all in a tangle like in the sleeves, Slegge hit
him three or four times in the face; but it only made him fierce, and
getting rid of his jacket, he went at big Slegge."

"Ah!" ejaculated the Doctor. "Go on, Mr Burney."

"Slegge made a dash at him, sir; but Singh was too quick, and stepped on
one side; and when Slegge turned upon him again Severn sprang in between
them, snatched off his jacket, and crammed it into Singh's hands. And
then all the boys began to hooray."

"What for?" said the Doctor.

"Because Severn said, sir, out loud, `Not such a coward as you think,
Singhy. I must fight now.'"

"Bad--very bad," said the Doctor; "cowardly too--two boys to one."

"Oh no, sir; Singh didn't do any more. He only laughed, threw down the
jacket, and began slapping Severn on the back; and he seconded him, sir,
quite fair and square all through, just as if he knew all about
fighting, though he is a nig--Indian, sir. And there was a tremendous
fight, till, after being a good deal knocked about, Severn was getting
it all his own way, and finished off Slegge just as you came up, sir.
And that's the whole truth.--Isn't it, boys?"

There was a chorus of the word "Yes," and the Doctor drew a deep breath
as it came to an end. Then he uttered the interjection "Hah!" looked
very searchingly at Slegge, scanning the injuries he had receiv