ush at Quincy as though he would fall
on him and crush him. Quincy easily eluded him, and when Wood made his
second rush at him he parried a right-hander, and before Wood could
recover, he struck him a square blow full on his right eye. They faced
each other again.
"Now, Mr. Wood," said Quincy, "I see you have a watch in your vest
pocket. Is it an open-faced watch?"
"S'posin' you find out," said Wood, glaring at Quincy with his left eye,
his right one being closed up.
"Well, then," remarked Quincy, "you will be obliged to have it repaired,
for I am going to hit you just where that watch is and it may injure
it."
Wood was more wary this time and Quincy was more scientific. He gave
Wood a left-hander in the region of the heart which staggered him.
They faced each other for the third time.
"I regret the necessity this time, but I will be obliged to strike you
full in the face and in my excitement may hit your nose."
It required all of Quincy's dexterity to avoid the wild rushes and
savage thrusts made by Wood. But Quincy understood every one of the
boxer's secrets and was as light and agile on his feet as a cat. It was
three minutes at least before Quincy got the desired opening, and then
he landed a blow on Wood's nose that sent him flat upon his back.
"That's enough," cried the crowd, and several friends led Wood to a seat
on the platform.
Quincy turned to Strout. "Now, Mr. Strout, I am at your service."
"No, sir," said Strout, "I am willing to fight a gentleman, but I don't
fight with no professional prize fighter like you." Turning to the
crowd: "I know all about this fellow. He is no lawyer at all, he is a
regular prize fighter, and down in Boston he is known by the name of
Billy Shanks."
[Illustration: "AND THEN HE LANDED A BLOW ON WOOD'S NOSE"]
Quincy smiled. Turning to the crowd he said, "The statement just made by
Mr. Strout is like his statement to Mr. Wood. The first was a lie, the
second is a lie, and the man who uttered them is a liar. Good morning,
gentlemen."
Quincy went to Hiram, who helped him on with his coats. They walked
along together. After they turned the corner and got out of sight of the
grocery store, Hiram said:
"Geewhilikins! What a smasher you gave him. I thought you said you
didn't know nothin' about fightin'."
"I don't know much," responded Quincy. "There are a dozen men in Boston
who could do to me just exactly what I did to Bob Wood."
CHAPTER IX.
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