By way of answer, Henry Burns relinquished his hold and allowed his antagonist to regain his feet. Again Benny Ellison, wild with anger, made a rush for Henry Burns, aiming a blow at him as he came on. Dodging it, and without deigning to attempt to return it, Henry Burns closed with him once more, and they reeled together to and fro for a moment.
If Benny Ellison had but known it, he had met with one whom Tom Harris and Bob White, who prided themselves on their athletics, and even stalwart Jack Harvey, had often found to be their match in wrestling. Slight in build, but with well-knit muscles, Henry Burns was surprisingly strong. And, above all, he never lost his head.
The contest this time was a moment more prolonged; but again Benny Ellison felt his feet going from under him, and again he went down—but this time harder—to the ground. He lay for a moment, with the breath knocked out of him.
"Want another?" inquired Henry Burns, calmly. He had not even offered to strike a blow.
Benny Ellison, picking himself up slowly from the dust, hesitated a moment; then backed away.
"I'll have it out with you again some time," he muttered. "I'll get square with you for this."
Henry Burns's eyes twinkled.
"Why not now?" he asked.
Benny Ellison made no reply, but went on up the road.
Bess Thornton's face, radiant with delight as Henry Burns turned to her, suddenly clouded.