from his tracks, Slavin met him with a straight left-hander and laid him
flat.

'Hooray,' yelled Blaney, 'Ireland for ever!' and, seizing the iron
poker, swung it around his head, crying, 'Back, or, by the holy Moses,
I'll kill the first man that interferes wid the game.'

'Give it to him!' Keefe said savagely.

Sandy rose slowly, gazing round stupidly.

'He don't know what hit him,' laughed Keefe.

This roused the Highlander, and saying, 'I'll settle you afterwards,
Mister Keefe,' he rushed in again at Slavin. Again Slavin met him again
with his left, staggered him, and, before he fell, took a step forward
and delivered a terrific right-hand blow on his jaw. Poor Sandy went
down in a heap amid the yells of Blaney, Keefe, and some others of the
gang. I was in despair when in came Baptiste and Graeme.

One look at Sandy, and Baptiste tore off his coat and cap, slammed them
on the floor, danced on them, and with a long-drawn 'sap-r-r-r-rie,'
rushed at Slavin. But Graeme caught him by the back of the neck, saying,
'Hold on, little man,' and turning to Slavin, pointed to Sandy, who was
reviving under Nelson's care, and said, 'What's this for?'

'Ask him,' said Slavin insolently. 'He knows.'

'What is it, Nelson?'