Mezzoni the Brigand — page 59: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

MEZZONI THE BRIGAND, o1 banter him on the prospect of getting whipped, and the big Italian fairly foamed at the mouth with anger and indignation. He determined to force the fighting, and conquer by his strength brought col- lectively to bear. He therefore commenced, as they again came together, to pour a shower of blows at his antagonist with great rapidity. Lhe fight looked very much in earnest now. To the amazement of all, and more especially of the big fighter himself, these blows were parried with perfect ease by the stranger, who did it witha coolness impossible to describe, his antagonist being by far the most exhausted by this system of attack. The Italian, now half uncovering his face by drop- ping for an instant his left arm, received at the mo- ment he did so a blow on the mouth, which knocked in two of his front teeth and cut a long gash in his upper lip. This closed the round, and the two men again re- | tired for a few moments. ‘‘Hurrah for the Levanter!’’ was the cry. There was a little malicious satisfaction in these cries on the part of the gang, for there was hardly a man among them over whom Vecchio had not in some way domineered, his great strength prevent- ing retaliation on their part. To see him, therefore, find his match, and even more in one smaller than himself, was a source of secret satisfaction to the majority. The big Italian now lost his temper entirely, as well as all discretion. He came to the center of the ring this time full of rage, and the stranger saw that he must look out for himself. The Italian rained blows at him so hard and fast that it re- quired all of his agility to defend himself. Eomicbooks (Efe)