He threw up his hat into the air, and began
walking rapidly to and fro, clenched his fists, stiffened his sinews,
and at every turn in his walk said:
"You'll find me as good a man as ever you met in your life."
This man's action promised real sport, and true Britons as we all
were we were delighted to see him. Nosey stood on the verandah for a
minute or two, watching the motions of the swagman; he did not seem
to recollect all at once what the code of honour required, until Bill
the Butcher remarked, "He wants you, Nosey," then Nosey went.
The two men met in the middle of the road, and put up their hands.
They appeared well-matched in size and weight. The swagman said:
"You'll find me as good a man as ever you met in your life."
Nosey began the battle by striking out with his right and left, but
his blows did not seem to reach home, or to have much effect.
The swagman dodged and parried, and soon put in a swinging blow on
the left temple. Nosey fell to the ground, and the stranger resumed
his walk as before, uttering his war cry:
"You'll find me as good a man as ever you met in your life."
There were no seconds, but the rules of chivalry were strictly
observed; the stranger was a true gentleman, and did not use his
boots.
In the second round Nosey showed more caution, but the result was the
same, and it was brought about by another hard blow on the temple.
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