Seen thus, they looked most unevenly matched, Harberth looking still
bigger for undressing and Dam even smaller. But, as the knowing Coxe
Major observed, what there was of Dam was in the right place--and was
muscle. Certainly he was finely made.

"Seconds out of the ring. _Time!_" called the time-keeper and Dam
sprang to his feet and ran at Harberth who swung a mighty round-arm
blow at his face as Dam ducked and smote him hard and true just below
the breast-bone and fairly on the "mark ".

The bully's grunt of anguish was drowned in howls of "Shake hands!"
"They haven't shaken hands!"

"Stop! Stop the fight," shouted Cokeson, and as they backed from each
other he inquired with anger and reproach in his voice:--

"Is this a friendly boxing-contest or a vulgar fight?" adding, "Get to
your corners and when _Time_ is called, shake hands and then begin."

Turning to the audience he continued in a lordly and injured manner:
"And there is only _one_ Referee, gentlemen, please. Keep silence or I
shall stop the fight--I mean--the friendly boxing contest."

As Dam sat down Delorme whispered:--

"Splendid! _In_fighting is your tip. Duck and go for the body every
time. He knows nothing of boxing I should say. Tire him--and remember
that if he gets you with a swing like that you're out."

"Seconds out of the ring. _Time!_" called the time-keeper and Dam