nted him. All
were wrapped in breathless attention as the two put up their hands, and
every note of a thrush singing in a tree hard by could be distinctly
heard.

The two boys were just about the same height and age, but Crawley had a
slightly longer reach in the arms, and was decidedly more "fit" and
muscular. But, on the other hand, it was evident directly they put
their hands up, that Saurin was the greatest adept at the business. The
carriage of his head and body, and the way he worked his arm and foot
together, showed this. He moved round his adversary, advancing,
retiring, feinting, watching for an opening. Crawley stood firm, with
his eyes fixed on those of his antagonist, merely turning sufficiently
to face him. At length Saurin, judging his distance, sent out his left
hand sharply, and caught Crawley on the right cheekbone. Crawley hit
back in return, but beat the air; Saurin was away. Again Saurin came
weaving in, and again he put a hit in without a return. The same thing
happened a third, a fourth, and a fifth time, and then Crawley, stung by
the blows, went at the other wildly, hitting right and left, but, over-
reaching himself, lost his balance and rolled over. The lookers on were
astonished; they had expected Saurin to be beaten from the first, and
though Crawley was so popular, murmurs of applause were heard, such is
the effect of success. Buller knelt on his left knee so that Crawley
might sit on his right. In the same manner Saurin sat on Edwards' knee.
Saurin's face had not been touched, while that of Crawley was flushed
and bleeding.

"You will not be able to touch his face just yet," said Buller. "Fight
at his body and try to hit him in the wind. And never mind what I said
yesterday about closing with him, we must risk his cross-buttock, and
your superior strength may serve you."

"Time! time!" cried the boys, and the antagonists jumped up from their
seconds' knees, and met again. Saurin had lost all his nervousness now;
his superiority was evident, and he felt nothing but triumph and
gratified malice. He did not stop to spar now, but directly he was
within reach hit out with confidence. Crawley took the blow without
flinching or attempting to parry it, and sent his right fist with all
his strength into Saurin's ribs, just as Buller had directed him.
Saurin recovered himself, and the round went on, Crawley being further
mauled about the face, neck, and head, but getting a hit in