Part 2 (1/2)
Dandy obeyed, and in a few moments he was the counterpart, so far as dress was concerned, of his master.
”Now stand up to it like a man, for I'm going to give you a hard one to-day,” added Archy, as he flourished with the gloves before his companion.
There was a faint smile upon his countenance as he uttered these words, and Dandy saw signs of unusual energy in his eyes. He evidently intended to do some ”big thing,” and the sport was therefore more distasteful than ever to the body-servant, whose hands were, in a measure, fettered by his position.
Dandy placed himself in the proper att.i.tude, and went through all the forms incident to the science. At first Master Archy was cool and self-possessed, and his ”plungers” and ”left-handers” were adroitly parried by the other, who, if his master intended to win a decided triumph on the present occasion, was determined to make him earn his laurels. But Dandy did little more than avoid the blows; he gave none, and received none.
”Come, stand up to it!” shouted Archy, who soon began to be disgusted with these tame proceedings. ”Why don't you exert yourself?”
”I do, sir; I have done my best to ward off your blows,” replied Dandy.
”I will give you something more to do, then,” added Archy, and sprang to his game with redoubled vigor.
As a matter of prudence, Dandy permitted himself to be hit once on the side of the head. This encouragement was not lost upon Archy, and he increased his efforts, but he could not hit his rival again for some time. After a few moments his ”wind” gave out, and operations were suspended. When he had recovered breath enough to speak, he proceeded to declare that Dandy had no spirit, and did not try to make the game exciting.
”I have done my best, sir,” replied Dandy.
”No, you haven't. You haven't hit me yet, and you haven't tried to do so.”
”Yes, sir, I have.”
”Don't contradict me. Now we will try again.”
They commenced once more, and immediately Dandy, in order to gratify his master, gave him a pretty smart blow upon the end of his nose. He hoped this would satisfy the grumbler, and bring the sport to a happy termination. As usual, the blow excited the pugnacity of Master Archy; and setting the rules of the art at defiance, he rushed upon his companion with all the impetuosity of his nature.
Dandy simply stood steady, and warded off the blows of his infuriate master; but in spite of his exertions he was. .h.i.t several times in the breast and face, and even ”below the belt,” for he did not deem it prudent to give another blow. Archy reared and plunged like an angry steed, till he had exhausted himself; but his temper had not yet spent itself. He sat down upon the ground, and rested himself for a moment, then, throwing away the gloves, proposed to finish the contest with the naked fists.
”I would rather not, Master Archy,” replied Dandy, appalled at the idea.
”Throw away your gloves, and come on!” said Archy, brandis.h.i.+ng his fists.
”I hope you will excuse me, Master Archy. I don't want to be pounded to a jelly.”
This was certainly complimentary, but there was still a burning sensation lingering about the nose of the young planter, where that member had been flattened by his fellow-pugilist.
”No whining; come on!” repeated Archy; and certain malicious thoughts which rankled in his heart were manifest in his eyes.
”If you please, Master Archy, I will keep my gloves on, and you may play without any.”
”Do you think I will do that?” sneered Archy. ”I am willing to take as good as I send. Off with your gloves!”
”But only consider, sir, if any thing should happen. If I should hit you by accident----”
”Hit, then!” cried Archy, angrily, as he sprang forward, and planted a heavy blow upon the cheek of the body-servant before the latter had time to place himself in the att.i.tude of defence, though he had thrown away his gloves in obedience to the mandate of his master.
For a few moments, Dandy defended himself from the impetuous a.s.sault of the young gentleman, who displayed a vigor and energy which he had never before exhibited. The consequences of any ”accident” to his master were sufficiently apparent and he maintained his coolness until an unlucky blow on the nose caused that member to bleed, and at the same time produced a sharp and stinging pain.
Dandy had been politic and discreet up to this time, but the sharp pain roused a feeling of resentment in his nature. He had borne all he could, and no longer acting upon the defensive alone, he a.s.sumed the aggressive. Both parties were angry now, and for a moment, each did his best, which shortly brought the combat to a disastrous conclusion.
Dandy's arm, which had before been prudentially soft and nerveless, suddenly hardened into solid muscle, and one of his heavy blows came full and square upon the region of Archy's left eye. The young lord of the manor reeled as though a tornado had struck him, and fell heavily upon the ground.