Here were about a dozen men in shirt sleeves, lounging and lolling about, some smoking, some pipe-claying their belts and polishing their arms, others drinking and at cards even thus early. It was not difficult to pick out my man. He was stood with legs outstretched before the fire. I made straight to him, and by the look he gave I knew he guessed my errand. I strode straight to him and without a word I smote him with the back of my hand across the face. The angry blood rushed to his cheeks, and he clenched his fist. The other soldiers jumped to their feet. "Fair play" cried 'Siah. "Man to man and fair play." "A fight, a fight." "A ring, a ring." "Into the yard with you my bully boys" said one who seemed to have authority, and into the yard we went, the whole company behind us, in great good humour at anything that promised sport. "Two cans to one on Long Tom," I heard. "I lay even on the bumpkin," said another, and I was grateful even for that bit of backing. "Keep thi' temper an' bide your chance," whispered 'Siah, anxious to the last. And then we faced each other, Long Tom and I. He was stripped to the shirt and I stripped too. He was as big a man as I with more flesh and more skill. But all the loose living had told on him and he soon began to blow. He hammered at me lustily and I took it smiling. If he brayed my face to a pulp I meant to get one in at him. My chance came at last. I put all my force and all my weight into one blow full at his mouth. He guarded and made as tho' to counter. But his guard went back on himself, and my fist went plumb on his month. He went down like a felled ox and rolled on the ground kicking his heels and spitting out blood and his teeth. Then 'Siah raised a great shout and even some of the soldiers seemed not sorry to see the mighty fallen. And 'Siah led me off, feeling dazed and weak as a woman, and with a strong bent to blubber like a baby, now it was all over, for I am not used to fighting, and would any day rather give a point or two than fratch.