asing, drew his breath in relief.

"'E won't 'urt 'im," he said in a whisper, as if to reassure himself.

"Course 'e won't!" replied a companion, expelling a cloud of tobacco
smoke between his lips. "'S only a bit o' skylarkin'.... Gawd!" he
added in awed tones. "That one 'ud kill a donkey if 'e started
'ittin'."

The two boxers had slipped into their habitual poses and were quietly
moving round each other. The graceful activity of the amateur was
somewhat characteristic of his school, while the ex-professional
contented himself with almost imperceptible movements of his feet,
watching with a nonchalant yet wary caution for the coming attack.
With the suddenness of a flash the Lieutenant led with his left and was
back out of harm's way again.

True and quick was the blow, but the veteran's defence was even
quicker. Without raising either glove he appeared to have swayed
backwards from the hips. His adversary's glove should have landed full
in his face; but so perfectly was his defence timed that it just
reached him and no more. The battered face, with its amiable,
reassuring smile and slowly moving jaws, had not winked an eyelid.

Then for three short rounds there followed a completely enthralling
display. On one side was perfectly trained orthodox, amateur boxing.
On the other every clean trick and subterfuge of irreproachable
ring-craft. Timing, footwork, feints, guarding and ducking; each
subtlety of the art of defence was demonstrated in turn.

In the last few seconds of the final round, however, a little out of
breath with his defensive display, the older man changed his tactics.
With lowered head and ferocious face he advanced, a whirling bulk of
might and action, upon the amateur. Tap--tap--tap! Left--right, over
and under, through the guard and round the guard of the outfought
youngster the unclenched gloves totted up a score of points. There was
a careful restraint behind each blow, yet, when the gong sounded and
they smilingly shook hands amid tumults of enthusiasm, a thin red
stream was trickling from the right eyebrow of the amateur champion....

As they left the ring two boyish forms slipped through the ropes and
made their way to their respective corners. They both wore the
orthodox white singlet and blue shorts, and round each waist was
twisted the distinguishing coloured sash, one red and the other green.
They sat down with their gloved hands resting on their thin knees and
gravely s