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 ''It was Spring, wild Spring! When I felt the sudden sting '' Of a clout all unexpected, I was just a maddened thing—  ''Just a savage male thing ragin'; battle all my wits engagin'.  Instant I was up an' at him, an' I punched him round the ring.  I forgot the scents an' season; I lost count of time an' place; '' ''An' my only aim an' object was to batter Murray's face. ''

Pike is dancin' wild with joy; Dusty Dick howls, "At him, boy!" I am at him, fast an' hard. Then, as Murray drops his guard, I get in one, strong an' straight, Full of enmity an' weight. Down he goes; the fellows shout. "One!" starts Pike, then … "Ten—an' out!"

''It was Spring, gay Spring. Still were swallows on the wing.  An', on a sudden, once again I heard the thrushes sing.  There was gold upon the wattle, an' my recent wish to throttle '' ''Murray, as he lay there groanin', was a far-forgotten thing.  In the soft blue sky were sailin' little clouds as fine as fluff.  "Wantin' more?" I asked him gently; but Ben Murray said, '' ''"Enough." ''

"Well done, Jim," says old Bob Blair. "'Tis the brave deserves the fair."