it amid roars of execration
the time-keeper arose and cried "_Time!_"

"You had him, you little ass," said Delorme, as he squeezed a sponge
of water on Dam's head. "Why on earth didn't you go in and finish
him?"

"It didn't seem decent when he was doubled up," replied Dam.

"Did it seem decent his hitting you while you shook hands?" returned
the other, beginning to fan his principal with a towel.

"Anyhow he's yours if you go on like this. Keep your head and don't
worry about his. Stick to his body till you have a clear chance at the
point of his jaw."

"Seconds out of the ring. _Time!_" cried the time-keeper.

This round was less fortunate for the smaller boy. Harberth's second
had apparently given him some good advice, for he kept his mark
covered and used his left both to guard and to hit.

Also he had learned something from Dam, and, on one occasion as the
latter went at his face with a straight left, he dropped the top of
his head towards him and made a fierce hooking punch at Dam's body.
Luckily it was a little high, but it winded him for a moment, and had
his opponent rushed him then, Dam could have done nothing at all.

Just as "Time" was called, Harberth swung a great round-arm blow at
Dam which would have knocked him head over heels had not he let his
knees go just in time and ducked under it, hitting his foe once again
on the mark with all his strength.

"How d'you feel?" asked Delorme as Dam went to his stool.

"Happy," said he.

"Don't talk piffle," was the reply. "How do you feel? Wind all right?
Groggy at all?"

"Not a bit," said Dam. "I am enjoying it."

And so he was. Hitherto the Snake had had him bound and helpless. As
it pursued him in nightmares, his knees had turned to water, great
chains had bound his arms, devilish gags had throttled him, he could
not breathe, and he had not had a chance to escape nor to fight. He
could not even scream for help. He could only cling to a shelf. _Now_
he had a chance. His limbs were free, his eyes were open, he could
breathe, think, act, defend himself and _attack_.

"Seconds out of the ring. _Time!_" called the time-keeper and Delorme
ceased fanning with the towel, splashed a spongeful of water in Dam's
face and backed away with his stool.

Harberth seemed determined to make an end.

He rushed at his opponent whirling his arms, breathing stertorously,
and scowling savagely.

Guarding hurt Dam's arms, he had no time to hit, and in ducking he w