"And I was afraid he would bash you all up," said Flora.
Mark scrambled to his feet, turned, stood unsteadily for a few seconds, staring at Jim with a dazed look in his eyes, then advanced, with swinging fists and wavering gait.
"You've had enough," said Jim.
"T'hell ye say!" cried Mark, thickly. "Enough be damned! Look out for yerself! I'm a-comin'!"
"Easy, Mister! Please hit him easy this time!" exclaimed Flora.
Again Jim nodded and smiled, but his eye was on the groggy but unvanquished Cock of the River.
"Wha's that?" cried Mark. "Easy, d'ye say? Hit yer durndest an' be damned to you! I ain't bested yet!"
With that he charged. Jim side-stepped. Again Mark charged and again Jim avoided him lightly. Mark leaped again, and this time Jim stood his ground, and Mark ran his poor face violently against a fending left fist that felt like a bagful of stones. Ducat staggered dizzily backward. His face streamed with blood.
"You are beaten," said Jim.
For reply, Mark lowered his head and butted like a ram. Jim swung low to the jaw as he stepped aside.