ore him, and threw himself in foaming
passion upon the youth.

Lorand saw that here, among the bushes, he had no further use for his
gun, so he threw it away, and received his foe unarmed.

Now it was face to face!

As they clutched each other their eyes met.

"You devil!" muttered Kandur, gnashing his teeth; "you have stolen my
gold, and my girl. Now I shall repay you."

Lorand now knew that the robber was Czipra's father.

He had tried to murder his own daughter.

This idea excited such rage in Lorand's heart that he brought the robber
to his knees with one wrench.

But the other was soon on his feet again.

"Oho! You are strong too? You gentlemen live well: you have strength.
The ox is also strong, and yet the wolf pulls him down."

And with renewed passion he threw himself on Lorand.

But Lorand did not allow him to come close enough to grasp his wrist. He
was a practised wrestler, and was able to keep his opponent an arm's
length away.

"So you won't let me come near you? You won't let me kiss you, eh? Won't
let me bite out a little piece of your beautiful face?"

The wild creature stretched out his neck in his effort to get at Lorand.

The struggle was desperate. Lorand was aided by the freshness of his
youthful strength, his _sang froid_, and practised skill: the robber's
strength was redoubled by passion, his muscles were tough, and his
attacks impetuous, unexpected, and surprising like those of some savage
beast.

Neither uttered a sound. Lorand did not call for help, thinking his
cries might bring the robbers back: and Kandur was afraid the house
party might come out.

Or perhaps neither thought of any such thing: each was occupied with the
idea of overthrowing his opponent with his own hand.

Kandur merely muttered through his teeth, though his passion did not
deter his devilish humor. Lorand did not say a single word.

The place was ill-adapted for such a struggle.

Amid the hindering bushes they stumbled hither and thither; they could
not move freely, nor could they turn much, each one fearing that to turn
would be fatal.

"Come, come away," muttered Kandur, dragging Lorand away from the
bushes. "Come onto the grass."

Lorand agreed.

They passed out into the open.

There the robber madly threw himself upon Lorand again.

He tried no more to throw him, but to drag him after him, with all his
might.

Lorand did not understand what his foe wished.

Always further, further:--