Soon all were ready, and, at opposite sides of the ring, the white boy and the Indian crouched, their hands on their knees, watching each other like hawks.
Suddenly, as if moved by the same impulse, they rushed at each other and grappled.
Both obtained good holds, and a terrific struggle began.
Barney knew considerable about the science of wrestling, and he immediately discovered that the Indian was not a novice.
As soon as holds were secured Whirling Bear leaned heavily to the left and pinned Barney’s right arm close to the elbow, at once causing the Irish lad trouble.
Barney tried to straighten the Indian, but saw that Whirling Bear fancied he had an advantage and was determined to hold it.
Now the Irish lad knew that, for all that the redskin was bothering him by this trick, Whirling Bear could not be firm in such a position, and it would not be difficult to throw him if the trick came right.
Barney knew that a wrestler who leans to the left always lays himself open to the cross-buttock, and he immediately began to work to use that trip on his opponent.
In order to work the cross-buttock successfully it is necessary to have a hold that is loose at first and yet firm and then to move with the utmost rapidity. The least hitch or false move may prove fatal to the aggressor.
As the Indian and the Irish lad strained and squirmed and sought to trip each other, Barney worked his hold looser and looser, all the while watching for the opportunity he sought, although pretending to be working for something else.