Mullin heeded this adjuration and attempted to press his opponent. The tramp, however, was astonishingly catlike on his feet, and Tapper could not get in a telling blow.
At length the hobo broke through the other fellow’s guard and gave him a severe jolt on the chin.
“That’s it! that’s it!” cried Billings, in satisfaction. “You reached him that time!”
This blow angered Mullin, who opened up furiously. Twice he touched the stranger, but the blows were too light to be effective. Then he received a thump in the ribs that brought a groan from his lips.
Faster and fiercer grew the contest. The spectators shouted their delight.
Suddenly the tramp landed on Tapper’s mouth and split his lip, starting the blood.
Bingo McCord whistled his surprise.
“It’s an even match,” he declared. “Tapper will have to scratch gravel.”
Mullin was intensely annoyed by his failure to get in an effective blow. This annoyance led him to give several openings, and finally he received a jolt that sent him to the floor.
Billings actually danced in delight.