CHAPTER II: THE FIGHT ON THE MOOR


The lad threw himself into a position of defense as the two boys
rushed at him.

"Oi doan't want vor to hurt ee," he said again, "but if ee will
have it, why, it won't be moi vault;" and swinging his arm round,
he brought it down with such force upon the nose of Tompkins that
the latter was knocked down like a ninepin, and, once down, evinced
no intention of continuing the conflict.

In Ned, however, the lad found an opponent of a different stamp.
The latter saw at once that his opponent's far greater weight and
strength rendered it hopeless for him to trust to close fighting,
and he worked round and round him, every now and then rushing at
him and delivering a telling blow, and getting off again before
his heavy and comparatively unwieldy companion could reply.

Once or twice, indeed, the lad managed to strike him as he came in,
each time knocking him fairly off his feet; but in the fair spirit
which at that time animated English men and boys of all classes he
allowed Ned each time to regain his feet without interference.

"Thou bee'st a plucky one," he said, as Ned after his third fall
again faced him, "but thou bain't strong enough for oi."

Ned made no reply, but nerved himself for a fresh effort. The blows
he had received had been heavy, and the blood was streaming from