Now Jack stood off at long range and peppered his opponent beautifully, much to the delight of the large crowd of officers and men that had gathered about, and was increasing at every moment, as word of the encounter was passed along.
In vain did the Russian try to ward off the sledge-hammer blows. Jack was not to be denied; and there was no pity in the lad’s heart, for he remembered his own lashings and the lashings of others, men, women and children. He had determined to pay Surgoff in full.
Again Surgoff rushed into a clinch. Jack felt the man’s hands close about his throat, and the Russian had a powerful grip. But both of Jack’s hands were free, and he loosened the other’s hold by driving a straight right to the stomach. For a third time the Russian general rolled on the ground.
Jack smiled grimly as he waited for the man to regain his feet.
“Now,” he said, when Surgoff again faced him, “we’ll count off twenty good blows and then call it square.”
“Smack!”
His right fist caught his opponent upon the sore nose.
“Smack! Smack!”
Right and left crashed against Surgoff’s jaws.
“Smack!”