While it was yet so dark that he could scarcely see the clock, he routed Mark out of bed.
"Git up thar," he whispered, "git up an" git ready."
Mark "got," and the two dressed hurriedly and crept down the stairs, past the sentry--the sentry was a cadet, and kindly "looked the other way"--and then went out through the sally port to the parade ground. The plain was shrouded in mist and darkness, and the stars still shone, though there was a faint light in the east. The two stole past the camp--where also the sentries were blind--scaled the ramparts, and stood in the center of "old Fort Clinton."
The spot was deserted and silent, but scarcely had the two been there a moment before a head peered over the wall nearest to the camp.
"They"re here," whispered a cadet, and sprang over. A dozen others followed him, and in a very few minutes more there were at least thirty of them, excited and eager, waiting for "Billy" to put in an appearance.
It was not long before Billy came, and behind him his faithful chum, Jasper, with a bucket of water, and sponges and towels enough for a dozen. About the same time Stanard"s long shanks appeared over the breastworks, and Indian tumbled over a moment later. Things were about ready then.
"Let"s lose no time," said Jasper, always impatient. "Captain Fischer will act as referee and timekeeper, if it"s agreeable."
No one could have suited Mark more, and he said so. Likewise, he stated, through his second, Mr. Powers, that he preferred to fight by rounds, which evidently pleased Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams was by this time stripped to the waist, his suspenders tied about him. And it was evidently as Fischer had said. There was no finer man in his cla.s.s, and he was trained to perfection. His skin was white and glistening, his shoulders broad and ma.s.sive, and the muscles on his arms stood out with every motion. His legs were probably as muscular, too, thought Mark, for Williams held the record for the mile. The yearlings" hearts beat higher as they gazed at their champion"s determined face.
Mark was a little slower in stepping up; when he did so the watching crowd sized him up carefully, and then there was doubt.
"Oh, gee, but this is going to be a fight!" was the verdict of every one of them.
"Marquis of Queensberry rules," said Fischer, in a low tone. "Both know them?"
Mark nodded.
"Shake hands!"
Mark put out his, by way of answer, and Williams gripped it right heartily.
"Ready?"
And then the simple word "Go."
Let us gaze about a moment at the scene. The ring is surrounded by earthworks, now gra.s.s-grown and trodden down, unkept since the Revolutionary days, when West Point was a Gibraltar. Old cannon, caissons and wagon wheels are scattered about inside, together with ramparts and wire chevaux-de-friezes which the cadets are practiced in constructing. In the southwest corner is a small, clear, smooth-trodden s.p.a.ce, where the two brawny, white-skinned warriors stand. The cadets are forming a ring about them, for every one is too excited to sit down and keep quiet. The "outlooks," posted for safety, are neglecting their duty recklessly for the same reason, and looking in altogether. Every eye is on the two.
Over in Mark"s corner sits Texas, gripping his hands in excitement, wriggling nervously and muttering to himself. Stanard is beside him with "Dana"s Geology" as a cushion. The Parson is a picture of calm and scholarly dignity, in direct contrast with our friend Texas, who is on the verge of one of his wild "fits." "Indian" is the fourth and only other plebe present, and Indian is horrified, as usual, and mutters "Bless my soul" at intervals.
On the opposite side of the circle of cadets are Jasper and another second, both breathlessly watching every move. Nearby stands Cadet Captain Fischer, calm and cool, critically watching the play.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE AFFAIR AT THE FORT.
The two began cautiously, like a pair of skillful generals sending out a skirmish line to test the enemy"s strength and resource. This was no such battle as Texas", a wild rush, a few mighty blows, and then victory. Williams was wary as a cat, sparring lightly, and taking no risks, and the other saw the plan and its wisdom.
"Playing easy," muttered the referee, noting the half minute on his watch. "Know their business, it seems."
"Wow!" growled Texas. "What"s the good o" this yere baby business? Say, Parson, ain"t they never goin" to hit? Whoop!"
This last exclamation was caused by the real beginning of the battle.
Williams saw an unguarded face, and quick as thought his heavy arm shot out; the crowd gasped, and Mark saw it. A sudden motion of his head to one side was enough to send the blow past him harmlessly, and a moment later the yearling"s forward plunge was checked by an echoing crack upon his ribs. Then for the rest of the round the excited cadets were treated to an exhibition of sparring such as they had never seen in their lives. Feinting, dodging and parrying, the springing pair seemed everywhere at once, and their fists in a thousand places. The crowd was thrilled; even the imperturbable Fischer was moved to exclamation, and Texas in half a minute had seen more skill than his whole experience had shown him in his life.
"Look a thar! Look a thar! He"s got him--no--gad! Whoop!"
Texas did as much dancing as the fighters themselves, and more talking than the whole crowd. Captain Fischer had to stop watching him long enough to tell him that the camp, with its sleeping "tacs," was only a few yards away. And then, as Powers subsided, the cadet glanced at his watch, called "Time!" and the two fighters went to their corners, panting.
"What did ye stop for?" inquired Texas, while the Parson set diligently to work at bathing several red spots on his friend"s body. "What kind o"
fightin" is this yere? Ain"t give up, have you? Say, Mark, now go in nex" time an" do him. What"s the use o" layin" off?"
"A very superior exhibition of--lend me that court-plaster, please--pugilistic ability," commented the Parson, bustling about like an old hen.
And then a moment later the referee gave the word and they were at it again.
This round there was no delay; both went at it savagely, though warily and skillfully as ever. Blow after blow was planted that seemed fairly to shake the air, driven by all the power that human muscle could give.
"Won"t last long at this rate," said the referee, sagely shaking his head. "Give "em another round--gee!"
Fischer"s "gee" was echoed by the yearlings with what would have, but for the nearness of the camp, been a yell of triumph and joy. Williams had seen a chance, and had been a second too quick for Mark; he had landed a crushing blow upon the latter"s head, one which made him stagger. Quick to see his chance, the yearling had sprung in, driving his half-dazed opponent backward, landing blow after blow. Texas gasped in horror. The yearlings danced--and then----
"Time!" said the imperturbable Fischer.
Texas sprang forward and led his bewildered friend to a seat; Texas was about ready to cry.
"Old man!" he muttered, "don"t let him beat you. Oh! It"ll be the death of me. I"ll go jump into the river!"
"Steady! Steady!" said the Parson; "we"ll be all right in a moment."
Mark said nothing, but as his reeling brain cleared he gritted his teeth.
"Time," said the referee.
And Williams sprang forward to finish the work, encouraged by the enthusiastic approval of his half-wild cla.s.smates. He aimed another blow with all his might; Mark dodged; the other tried again, and again the plebe leaped to one side; this repeated again and again was the story of the next minute, and the yearlings clinched their hands in disappointment and rage.
"He"s flunking!" cried one of them--Bull Harris--"He"s afraid!"
"He"s fighting just as he ought," retorted Captain Fischer, "and doing it prettily, too. Good!"
And then once more the crowd settled into an anxious silence to watch.
The story of that minute was the story of ten. Mark had seen that in brute force his adversary was his equal, and that skill, coolness and endurance were to win. He made up his mind on his course, and pursued it, regardless of the jeers of the yearlings and their advice to Billy to "go in and finish him off." Billy went, but he could not reach Mark, and occasionally his ardor would be checked by an unexpected blow which made his cla.s.smates groan.
"It"s a test of endurance now," observed Fischer, "and Billy ought to win. But the plebe holds well--bully shot, by Jove! Mallory"s evidently kept in training. Time!"
That was for the seventh round.
"He"s getting madder now," whispered Mark to Stanard, as he sat down to rest. "He wants to finish. If those fellows keep at him much more he"ll sail in for a finish--and then, well, I"m pretty fresh yet."