nd no one could have traced upon his face the least emotion or sign of
dismay.

But with all the ruffian's physical force, he looked far from confident,
and I have no doubt that if he had possessed a sufficient excuse, he
would have quitted the ring, and acknowledged the defeat without a
struggle.

The Irishman and myself were Fred's seconds, and the miner who helped
Tom hold the boy was obliged to relinquish his prize, and assist his
friend, no one else volunteering.

For a few minutes after the men were placed, each stood upon the
defensive, and waited for hostilities. It was no part of Fred's plan to
begin the battle, as he wanted to discover whether Tom possessed
science, as well as vast strength; and he was not in this respect kept
long in suspense, for the miner advanced towards him, swinging his long
arms and huge fists in the most ridiculous manner, and which caused the
Irishman to shout,--

"Make way for the windmill, there."

A roar of laughter greeted the Irishman's sally, which caused Tom some
confusion, and before he could recover from his bewilderment, Fred had
sprang within his reach, and dealt him a blow that sent him reeling to
the extremity of the ring, where he fell heavily upon the ground.

"The windmill goes stern fust, and no mistake. Holy St. Patrick! but
isn't he groggy?"

The slang term groggy was well understood by those present, and when Tom
gained his feet, he was saluted with another roar of laughter, that made
him foam with rage.

He rushed towards Fred like a mad bull, and had he caught him in his
arms, Fred would have fared none too well, for a time. But my friend
darted one side, and as his adversary rushed past, he delivered another
blow in the vicinity of the man's right ear, that stopped his headlong
career, and he dropped to mother earth once more, baffled, bewildered,
and discouraged.

"Hullo! Fighting here?" shouted a voice, and half-a-dozen policemen
rushed into the ring, and pounced upon Fred and Tom before a third blow
could be struck.

The assembled miners did not dare to interfere, for fear their licenses
would be forfeited by the government commissioner. Therefore no
murmuring was heard.

"Prize fighting, hey?" cried the sergeant of the force. "Away with them
to the prison."

"Had you not better investigate first, Mr. Sergeant," I said, touching
his arm.

He looked me full in the face, and I recognized the man as one whom we
had met the day before, upon our