'Two anna, over an' above,' he said, holding up the coins, 'and I don't want no change. So which of you noble earls,' here he turned to his following of lads, 'is goin' to fight for the balance? You understand? Lurro abhi, jut put, an' be burra burra pailwân for two pice a 'ed (fight now immediately and be great heroes).'
The vile admixture of tongues seemed quite comprehensible to those acquainted with Jân-Ali-shân's methods, for two urchins stepped forward at once, and the rest joined with the other loungers to form a ring.
John Ellison, loafer, leant back against the wall at his ease.
'Now then, nap,'[[6]] he began, 'back to back fair and square. None o' yer nigger blarney,[[7]] you young devil! Fight seeda,[[8]] or it ain't worth fightin' at all. And I won't 'ave no buttin' in the stummick. You're pailwâns m'henda nahin (heroes, not fighting rams). Sumjha?'
The boys professed to understand, and, having divested themselves of their last rag, stood like slim bronze statues in the sunlight.
'Are you ready?' asked Jân-Ali-shân with superb gravity. 'Then chul (go), an' may the Lord 'ave mercy on your souls.'
They were locked in each other's grip in a second in true Western fashion.
'Shab-bash!' said the holder of the stakes with an approving nod 'That's wrestlin'. None o' yer slappin's an' buttin's and boo-in's. Shab-bash! boys. Shab-bash!'
The crowd grinned widely at the praise, and, as the combatants struggled and swayed, discussed their family history and took sides, after the manner of crowds all over the world. Quite a breath of anxiety ran through it as a fall came, but came sideways. There was no dust on the back yet!--there would not be!--yes! there would.
Aha! aha! there was, surely!