t? Come on, then. Hi, there! hold the links higher, and let us
see their thick heads. Give it to 'em hard."

Emboldened by old successes, two wings of the gang whipped out their
sticks and took a step or two forward, to stand firm on either side of
the deformed man, who was a step in front. The next minute the fray had
commenced, Nic leading off with a tremendous cut from his left at Humpy
Dee's head.

For the young man's blood was up; he was the captain of the little
party, and he knew that everything depended upon him. If he fought well
they would stand by him to a man, as they had shown before. If, on the
other hand, he seemed timid and careful, they would show a disposition
to act on the defensive. That would not do now, as Nic well knew. His
object was to make a brave charge and stagger the enemy, so that they
might become the easier victims to panic when they found that they were
attacked by a strong party in the rear.

_Crack_! went Nic's stout stick, as he struck with all his might; and
_crick_, _crick_, _crack_, _crash_! went a score or more, mingled with
shouts of defiance.

But Nic's cudgel did not give forth its sharp sound from contact with
the leader's head, for he had to do with a clever cudgel-player as well
as one who had often proved his power as a tricky wrestler in contests
with the best men of the neighbouring farthest west county. Nic's blow
was cleverly caught on as stout a cudgel, and the next moment his left
arm fell numb to his side.

He struck savagely now, making up for want of skill by the rain of blows
he dealt at his adversary, and thus saved himself from being beaten down
into the water at once.

But it was all in vain.

On the other hand, though his men did better, being more equally matched
they did not cause the panic Nic had hoped for, and the enemy kept their
ground; while the torches spluttered, blazed, and smoked, and to the
spectators the amphitheatre during those few brief moments looked wild
and strange as some feverish dream.

But, as before said, Nic's brave efforts were all in vain. His muscles
were too soft and green, and he was, in addition to being young, no
adept in the handling of a stick. He fought bravely, but he had not the
strength to keep it up against this short, iron-muscled, skilful foe.
He was aware of it only too soon, for his guard was beaten down, and he
saw stars and flashes of light as he received a sharp blow from his
adversary's stick