The Argosy, August 1914 — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

T2 He noted also that the men were evenly matched as to height, weight and, as well as he could determine, reach. They had settled to their fight- ing with the earnestness of a set pur- pose. one of Butch Horlock’s. light-loves, doubtless — had become _ needlessly alarmed for the safety of her friend. Outside of the champion himself there was nobody who could stand up to the Butcher long, in the pink of condition as he was. The scene engrossed him so com- pletely that he forgot to give the girl tidings as to the progress of the fray. A repetition of her request fell on deaf ears. She recalled herself to his notice by dropping flat beside him, to look for herself. “Oh, can’t you do something?” she urged. “I’m so afraid he will get hurt.” “The Butcher? You should worry —hi, look at that!” he broke off sud- denly. The exclamation had been provoked by a lead to Horlock’s face which, landing on his eye, sent him staggering backward. His opponent, instead of trying to follow up the advantage, calmly awaited his recovery. This sight threw a different illumi- nation on Sam’s opinion. Quite un- mindful of the groan with which the gitl beside him saw the punishment ad- ministered, he summoned all his pro- fessional judgment to a study of Hor- lock’s antagonist. Too far away, as well as_ badly placed, to make out his features, he was struck by a familiarity of his style. Such a workmanlike manner of fight- ing, such finish in leading and defense, he had encountered only once during his long intimacy with the ring. Even yet, however, he could not acknowl- edge the possibility of what his sub- consciousness warned him. Another thing struck him. This was that Butch’s opponent was taking the affray far more easily than Horlock himself. He had seen a half dozen This girl, whoever she was—. THE ARGOSY. openings where the fighter whose per- sonality lingered at the back of his mind would have bored in and finished the job in quick order. That he re- frained from doing so helped to defer the moment of recognition. The pair fought with due regard to such provisions of the moral code as striking in breaks, but without any sus- pension for rests. Presently it came to Sam Levine that the unknown was - merely playing with Horlock—that he was his master at every point of the fight, competent to finishing him when- ever he liked. At the same instant, in- credulity evaporating, he muttered aloud: “The Navigator!” He became aware that the girl had crept close to him and had grasped his hand in the excitement of fear. She seemed fascinated by the sight. He was only half aware of her quick re- sponse : ~ Yes, its Jack Garrett. Navigator.” She ended with a little scream. Levine had seen it, too. Butch Horlock had tried to force matters, as if rendered desperate by the opposition he was encountering. It may be he counted on forcing Jack to give ground. If so, he calculated badly. Instead of giving back a single inch his antagonist advanced his foot and planted himself firmly. He had satis- fied his desires—to pay Horlock the debts he owed, and to demonstrate for his own satisfaction that he had not gone back. It would be several days before Horlock would have wiped out entirely the marks of this encounter. It was therefore useless to carry it farther. As Horlock rushed he took careful aim and drove with the full momentum of his strong shoulders. The blow caught his old rival on the point of the chin. His knees gave way beneath him and he sank in a limp heap on the sands. Sam Levine found himself counting -——one, two, three, four. He was re- called by a groan from the girl at his It’s the Sam COMMICLOO® S (C@