Between Snow and Fire — page 210: what you’re looking at

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

W AND FIRE, '"TWEEN SNO ran fight is to witness one—and now, accordingly, every head $ was bent forward with the most eager interest as the two combatants advanced towards each other in the open space. Lp There was no “ring” proper, nor were there any recognised 3 rules; no “time” either. Each man’s business was to kill or disable the other—as effectually as possible, and by any means in his power. Now-a smart Kafir, armed with two good kerries whose use he thoroughly understands, is about as tough a customer to tackle as is a professional pugilist to the average Briton who knows how to use his hands but indifferently. Of this” Carhayes was perfectly aware. Consequently his plan was - to meet his antagonist with extreme wariness ;in fact, to stand rather on the defensive, at any rate at first. He was a fair single stick player, which tended not a little to equalise the chances. As they drew near each other and reached striking dis- tance, they looked straight into each other’s eyes like a pair of skilful fencers. The savage, with one kerrie raised in the air, the other held horizontally before his breast, but both with anervous, supple grasp, ready to turn any way with light- ning rapidity—his glance upon that of his foe—his active, muscular frame poised lightly on one foot, then on another, | with feline readiness, would have furnished a perfect subject . for an instantaneous photograph representing strength and address combined. ‘The Englishman, his bearded lips com- pressed, his blue eyes sparkling and alert, shining with sup- pressed eagerness to Gome to close quarters with his crafty and formidable foe, was none the less a fine specimen of courage and undaunted resolution. Hlangani, a sneering laugh upon his thick lips, opened the ball by making a judicious feint. But his adversary never moved. He followed it up by another, then a series of them, f whirling his striking kerrie round the Englishman’s head in the most startling proximity, now on this side, now on that, a, holding his parrying one ready for any attack the other is, might make upon him. Still Carhayes stood strictly on the defensive. He knew the Kafir was trying to “draw him ”’— knew that his enemy’s quick eye was prepared for any op- portunity. He was not going to waste energy gratuitously. : Suddenly, and with lightning-like celerity, Hlangani made F a sweep at the lower part of his adversary’s leg. It would z have been the ruin of a less experienced combatant, | ; Eomilcbooks.com