Page:Cruise of the Dry Dock.djvu/189

 in the roasting sunshine. Both were bruised, Smith's body, Greer's head and shoulders. Caradoc's mouth felt slimy and he spit at nothing.

The fighting went in spurts, Greer rushing Land Smith dancing away and stabbing. The two gangs of rubbers bawled encouragement to their men.

“Land on 'is nose there, Smith!” shouted Mulcher. “Don't let 'im to ye! Play away, play away, me boy! Now huppercut 'im! Huppercut 'im, I say!”

On the other side, Galton was shrieking hoarsely, “Bore in, Greer! Bore in, me lad!” and Hogan, “G'wan and mash the spalpeen's ribs! Br-reak his long nick! Cr-rush him! Why don't ye hit him on th' head and lay him out?”

“Time's up!” announced Madden.

During the following rounds, Caradoc stuck to the long range English method of fighting, but over and over Farnol broke through his guard and his short-arm jabs spread a sick numb feeling over Caradoc's sides and chest.

The Briton deliberately worked for Greer's