A martial spirit awoke at the Warren House and Mr. Bowden frankly revelled in this business, the more so because he believed that his son must win easily. The twins took to sparring from that hour, and Napoleon and Wellington fought their battles over again. Elias sent to Plymouth for a pair of boxing gloves, and Joshua for the good of the cause, albeit not fond of hard knocks, stood up to David for half an hour each day. It was arranged that young Bowden should train at home for a fortnight and then go to Plymouth and put himself in the hands of a professional at that town for some final polish. The brother and sister had a private talk of special significance soon after the making of the match. David met Rhoda returning from Sheepstor, and her face was grave. "I’ve just heard more about that business than you told us, David," she said. "’Tis as much for what he done to me as anything, that you be going to fight him." "No matter the reason. A licking will do him good--if I can give him one." "Look here," she said--impulsively for her--"I must be in this fight. You’re everything to me, David--everything. I can’t keep away and I won’t keep away. You know the sort of pluck I’ve got. Well, I must be in that Ring--me and father--" David gasped. "Would you?" "I tell you I must. Something calls out to me to do it. You can’t fight without me there, and I don’t believe you can win without me. I swear I feel it so. Wouldn’t you rather have me in your corner than any man if it comes to that?" "Yes," he admitted, "I would; but you can’t do what’s got to do." "I can do all," she replied. "I talked to Mr. Shillabeer to-day, when I’d made up my mind, and I axed him what the bottle-holder have to do; and he told me. I can do it all--every bit of it." "You shall then!" said David. She flushed with pleasure. "You won’t regret it. I may help you to win a bit. A woman that can keep her head, like I can, is useful anywhere." "’Twill be you and faither--and I suppose that Crocker will have the ’Dumpling’ and this queer, old, white-headed London man on his side." "I’m gay and proud as you can trust me in such a thing," she said, her breast heaving. "Yes--and now I think on it--you and me being what we are each to t’other--I will have it so. I couldn’t fight all I know if you wasn’t there, Rhoda. But I warn you, ’tis ugly work. You mustn’t mind seeing my head knocked into a lump of black and blue flesh." "That’s nought so long as you win. ’Twill come right again." "But I may not win. You never know how the luck will fall." "You must win," she answered. "’Tisn’t in nature that such an evil man as him can beat you." "I shan’t stop so long as I can see, or so long as I can stand," he said. "I think I shall win myself, but it don’t do to brag." Then Rhoda told him something that disturbed him not a little.