Withal, the paleface youths were eager for the contest. This was especially true of Victor, who, as he expressed it, was aching for a set-to with the broad, strongly built youth, toward whom he had taken an intense dislike from the first.
The arrangements were made by the chief Black Elk3 and Mul-tal-la, the two warriors4 standing6 as immobile as if hundreds of miles removed from the spot, though it is not to be supposed they were not interested. Their leader and the Blackfoot talked again for two or three minutes, while George and Victor stood side by side, awaiting the test. The rifle of one was still held by a Shoshone, while Victor clung to his own weapon.
“I don’t give it up till I have to,” grimly remarked the lad. “One of them has yours, and Mul-tal-la shall take charge of mine; he’ll act fair, but I don’t believe any of the others will. George, if you don’t throw that copper-colored scamp you’re no brother of mine, and you’ll have to settle with me.”
“I’ll do my best—I promise you that. Don’t forget that you have a tough job before you.”
Mul-tal-la addressed the brothers:
“My brother George will wrestle7 with Antelope8 first; then my brother Victor will see whether Young Elk is stronger than he.”
“How many falls are we to have?” asked George.
“Only one. If he lays you on your back you must give up your gun to the Antelope. You will not have another chance, but will have to go without a rifle till you can get one somewhere else.”
“In all the wrestling matches I ever saw it was the best two out of three falls. The fellow may play some trick on me.”
“You mustn’t let him,” said Victor, impatiently; “you know as many tricks as he. Remember I’ve got my eye on you, and if he beats you, you’ll have to take a turn with me.”
“Save your strength for yourself,” replied George. “Well, I’m ready,” he added, addressing his dusky friend.
The spectators formed a sort of ring, and the youths advanced to the middle, each warily10 watching the other and on the alert for the first advantage.
The wrestling bouts12 of the early days were not conducted as in these times. The rule was for the contestants13 to take their places with their sides touching14, and each with his arm around the waist or neck of the other. The same style still prevails in many places remote from towns. When thus interlocked the contestants began the struggle, twisting, bending, straining and tugging15 with might and main and with all the skill the two could bring to their aid. The spectacle of wrestlers standing face to face and using their toes to feint and tap each other, most of the motions being simultaneous, like two fighting chickens, while watching a chance to catch the other unawares, was formerly17 unknown in this country.
It will be noted18 that in the old style, provided both were right or left-handed, one of the wrestlers had a manifest advantage, since his stronger side was turned toward the weaker side of the other. Among boys this advantage was often decided19 by lot, or by the first shout of his claim by one of the contestants. The handicap served also to even matters when there was a marked superiority of strength or skill on the part of one youth.
George Shelton was right-handed, like most boys, and he determined20 not to yield that point to the other. It speedily developed, however, that the Antelope was left-handed, for he voluntarily placed his left arm over the shoulders of George—something he would not have done had his right side been the stronger.
Instead of placing his arm under that of his foe21, George Shelton slipped it on top, though not much was gained thereby22. He made up his mind that if there was to be any strangling done he would do his share. Thus they stood, with every nerve braced23 and every sense alert, waiting for the first test.
The grip of the Antelope, who, it will be remembered, was taller than George, suddenly tightened24 and he bore our young friend backward. But the latter kept his feet and braced for the struggle to fling the other forward on his face, which was made the next instant. Then the seesawing25 went on for several seconds and with the same alternating abruptness26 as before, when the young Indian put forth27 his utmost power to lift the other off his feet. Had he succeeded, he would have had no trouble in flinging him forward on his back or face, for a person can do little when kicking in the air with his feet clear of the earth.
George defeated his enemy by also lifting. With both straining in the same manner neither could succeed, and the weight of both remained on the ground. Then the Antelope ceased his effort, with the intention of trying some “lock” of which the white boy knew nothing.
The Anglo-Saxon Every Time.
But this was the opportunity for which George Shelton was waiting. In the instant of the cessation by his antagonist28, the watchful29 lad suddenly put forth every ounce of strength and lifted the young Indian clear. He strove desperately30 to regain31 his footing, but his shabby moccasins vainly trod the air, and before he could recover his grip George hurled32 him violently forward on his side. He struck the ground with a shock that made it tremble. George lay across his body, from which the breath was driven.
Never was fairer fall seen. The young Shoshone was defeated so decisively that, had there been an official umpire or referee33, no appeal could have been made to him.
“Good! Good!” exclaimed the delighted Victor, dancing with delight and clapping his hands. “I’ll own you for my brother, George. I couldn’t have done better.”
Mul-tal-la grinned, for he could not conceal34 his pleasure. The spectators, including Young Elk, looked savage35, and the brow of Black Elk was like a thundercloud. No one spoke36, but all must have thought volumes.
Having thrown his rival, George Shelton lay across him for a few moments, then leaped up, sprang back several paces, and turning to Mul-tal-la, said:
“Tell him, if he wants it, I’ll give him another chance.”
“No; my brother has won his gun.”
At the same moment Black Elk reached to the warrior5 holding the rifle, and, taking it from him, strode to where George Shelton was standing and handed it back without a word. Thus far the chief was certainly disposed to act fairly.
“Thank you for giving me what is mine,” said the exultant37 youth, bowing so low and smiling so broadly that the chief must have understood he was receiving thanks, even though none of the words was intelligible38.
“Now, Victor,” added George, turning to his brother as he stepped beside him, “I’ll say to you what you said to me—that is, that if you don’t get the best of that grinning imp9, who is eager to pummel you, you’re no brother of mine.”
While the discomfited39 wrestler16 slouched back beside his father, who acted as if he was ashamed of him, the other son fairly bounded into the arena40. He stood grinning, with fists doubled, and manifestly impatient for the sport to begin. To hurry his foe he twisted his face into an insulting grimace41.
No one knew Victor’s quick temper better than his brother. It was that which caused him his only misgiving42.
“Victor,” said he, with much earnestness, “if you don’t keep cool and have all your wits about you, you’ll get whipped. He’s stronger than his brother, and you have a harder job before you than I did. Remember—KEEP COOL!”
Now, Victor himself was fully43 aware of his infirmity, but, like many thus afflicted44, he often yielded to it. At the very opening of the bout11 he came within a hair of falling a victim to his own impetuous temper. Neither he nor the Shoshone displayed any of the scientific points which are seen to-day when two professionals face each other in the ring, for they had not had any instruction. You would have said the pose of both was wrong, for, instead of holding the right hand across and in front of the chest for purposes of parrying, while the “leading” was done with the left, they stood with fists thrust out and side by side, but both balanced themselves well on their feet, and were on the watch for an opening.
Victor looked straight into the dusky face and felt a thrill of anger when the Shoshone indulged in another tantalizing45 grimace. Young Elk made several quick feints, and then, with surprising quickness, smote46 the cheek of Victor with the flat of his hand, and leaped back and grinned at him.
The blow set Victor’s blood aflame, and, forgetting caution, he rushed upon the other, only, however, to receive a second blow which almost carried him off his feet. It was directly on the mouth and started the blood. But it undid47 the mischief48 of the slap given a moment before. Our young friend suddenly realized that he had no slight task before him, and he heeded49 the words of his brother, who again called to him to keep cool. He mastered his temper and did a clever thing by pretending to be scared. When Young Elk carefully advanced he retreated, and hurriedly glanced over his shoulder, as if looking for a place of refuge.
The Indian was deceived and grew confident. He came forward and drew back his right fist ready to strike, while Victor continued cautiously to give ground. Finally he braced and awaited the attack. The closed hand of the Shoshone shot forward, but the blow was eluded50 by an instant recoil51 of the head for an inch or two. Victor felt the wind of the blow on his nose, so close came the fist of his foe.
Then with astonishing quickness he concentrated his strength in his good right arm and landed straight and true upon the cheek of the other, who was sent backward and reeled to one knee, but was up again in a flash.
It became clear that Young Elk was afflicted with as quick a temper as vexed52 the white youth, for he made a blind, headlong rush, as if to carry everything before him. As he dashed on, his arms sawed the air like a windmill. Victor, never more cool and self-possessed, parried for a moment or two until another opening offered, when he drove his fist again into the flaming countenance53 with a force that sent his antagonist flat upon his back. He had scored a clean knockdown.
But the Shoshone was not yet vanquished54. He bounded to his feet as if made of rubber, and with more coolness than before advanced again upon his antagonist. Each was now in a mental state to do full justice to his own prowess. Several minutes were spent in “sparring for an opening,” but Victor Shelton quickly proved he was superior in skill. He dodged55 and parried several blows, and, when he landed again, it was the most effective stroke yet done. He delivered his fist accurately56 upon the jaw57 of the grinning youth, who again went down.
Victor sprang forward and stood over him, waiting for the Shoshone to rise that he might give him the finishing blow. Young Elk lay as if “taking the count.” He was dazed for the moment by the terrific blows he had received, and all the fight was knocked out of him. He looked up at the young gladiator, then rose, and, instead of facing him, turned and ran at full speed down the ridge.
The amazed Victor took two or three steps in pursuit, but immediately saw that he was not the equal of the other in fleetness, and drew back. The exasperated58 chief shouted to his son to return, but he was too panic-stricken to obey, and continued running.
Victor was thrown into wild rage by his disappointment. He was not yet through with his foe—though it would seem that he ought to have been—and he wheeled around, panting, and looking for some one upon whom to vent59 his wrath60.
“What are you gaping61 at?”
The question was addressed to the Antelope, standing bewildered and mystified by the whirlwind rush of events. Before he could answer, if he had been disposed to do so, Victor drove his fist into the partly painted face and toppled the owner over on his back. He was heard to grunt62 as he struck the ground, and, hastily clambering to his feet, he too turned and fled after his still running brother as if death were at his heels.
“I’ll fight you, if you want it,” called Victor, striding in front of the chief, who probably did not understand his meaning. “Fetch on all the Shoshones in the country, and I’ll tumble them on top of one another.”
But George Shelton and Mul-tal-la saw the moment had come to interfere63. The latter hastily stepped up to the lad and laid a restraining hand on his shoulder. George did the same.
“Come, Victor,” he said, “you have done enough; you have won your gun, and now don’t spoil everything by your foolishness.”
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1
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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elk
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| n.麋鹿 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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6
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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7
wrestle
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| vi.摔跤，角力；搏斗；全力对付 | |
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8
antelope
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| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
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imp
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| n.顽童 | |
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warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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11
bout
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| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
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12
bouts
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| n.拳击（或摔跤）比赛( bout的名词复数 )；一段（工作）；（尤指坏事的）一通；（疾病的）发作 | |
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contestants
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| n.竞争者，参赛者( contestant的名词复数 ) | |
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14
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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15
tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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16
wrestler
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| n.摔角选手，扭 | |
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17
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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18
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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19
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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20
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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21
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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22
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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23
braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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24
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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25
seesawing
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| v.使上下（来回）摇动( seesaw的现在分词 )；玩跷跷板，上下（来回）摇动 | |
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26
abruptness
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| n. 突然，唐突 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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31
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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32
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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33
referee
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| n.裁判员．仲裁人，代表人，鉴定人 | |
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34
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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35
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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36
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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37
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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38
intelligible
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| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
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39
discomfited
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| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
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40
arena
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| n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台 | |
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41
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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42
misgiving
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕 | |
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43
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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44
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
tantalizing
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| adj.逗人的；惹弄人的；撩人的；煽情的v.逗弄，引诱，折磨( tantalize的现在分词 ) | |
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46
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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47
Undid
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| v. 解开, 复原 | |
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48
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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49
heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
eluded
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| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的过去式和过去分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
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51
recoil
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| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
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52
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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53
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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54
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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55
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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56
accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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57
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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58
exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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59
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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60
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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61
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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62
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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63
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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