第 117 节
作者:
恐龙王 更新:2021-02-21 15:32 字数:9321
caught hold of the handkerchief which the fellow wore round his
neck; with a grasp nearly as powerful us that with which he pressed
my throat。
'Do you call that fair play?' said she。
'Hands off; Belle;' said the other woman; 'do you call it fair play
to interfere? hands off; or I'll be down upon you myself。'
But Belle paid no heed to the injunction; and tugged so hard at the
handkerchief that the Flaming Tinman was nearly throttled; suddenly
relinquishing his hold of me; he started on his feet; and aimed a
blow at my fair preserver; who avoided it; but said coolly:…
'Finish t'other business first; and then I'm your woman whenever
you like; but finish it fairly … no foul play when I'm by … I'll be
the boy's second; and Moll can pick up you when he happens to knock
you down。'
The battle during the next ten minutes raged with considerable
fury; but it so happened that during this time I was never able to
knock the Flaming Tinman down; but on the contrary received six
knock…down blows myself。 'I can never stand this;' said I; as I
sat on the knee of Belle; 'I am afraid I must give in; the Flaming
Tinman hits very hard;' and I spat out a mouthful of blood。
'Sure enough you'll never beat the Flaming Tinman in the way you
fight … it's of no use flipping at the Flaming Tinman with your
left hand; why don't you use your right?'
'Because I'm not handy with it;' said I; and then getting up; I
once more confronted the Flaming Tinman; and struck him six blows
for his one; but they were all left…handed blows; and the blow
which the Flaming Tinman gave me knocked me off my legs。
'Now; will you use Long Melford?' said Belle; picking me up。
'I don't know what you mean by Long Melford;' said I; gasping for
breath。
'Why; this long right of yours;' said Belle; feeling my right arm;
'if you do; I shouldn't wonder if you yet stand a chance。' And now
the Flaming Tinman was once more ready; much more ready than
myself。 I; however; rose from my second's knee as well as my
weakness would permit me。 On he came; striking left and right;
appearing almost as fresh as to wind and spirit as when he first
commenced the combat; though his eyes were considerably swelled;
and his nether lip was cut in two; on he came; striking left and
right; and I did not like his blows at all; or even the wind of
them; which was anything but agreeable; and I gave way before him。
At last he aimed a blow which; had it taken full effect; would
doubtless have ended the battle; but owing to his slipping; the
fist only grazed my left shoulder; and came with terrific force
against a tree; close to which I had been driven; before the Tinman
could recover himself; I collected all my strength; and struck him
beneath the ear; and then fell to the ground completely exhausted;
and it so happened that the blow which I struck the Tinker beneath
the ear was a right…handed blow。
'Hurrah for Long Melford!' I heard Belle exclaim; 'there is nothing
like Long Melford for shortness; all the world over。' At these
words I turned round my head as I lay; and perceived the Flaming
Tinman stretched upon the ground apparently senseless。 'He is
dead;' said the vulgar woman; as she vainly endeavoured to raise
him up; 'he is dead; the best man in all the north country; killed
in this fashion; by a boy!' Alarmed at these words; I made shift
to get on my feet; and; with the assistance of the woman; placed my
fallen adversary in a sitting posture。 I put my hand to his heart;
and felt a slight pulsation … 'He's not dead;' said I; 'only
stunned; if he were let blood; he would recover presently。' I
produced a penknife which I had in my pocket; and; baring the arm
of the Tinman; was about to make the necessary incision; when the
woman gave me a violent blow; and; pushing me aside; exclaimed;
'I'll tear the eyes out of your head if you offer to touch him。 Do
you want to complete your work; and murder him outright; now he's
asleep? you have had enough of his blood already。' 'You are mad;'
said I; 'I only seek to do him service。 Well; if you won't let him
be blooded; fetch some water and fling it in his face; you know
where the pit is。'
'A pretty manoeuvre!' said the woman; 'leave my husband in the
hands of you and that limmer; who has never been true to us … I
should find him strangled or his throat cut when I came back。' 'Do
you go;' said I to the tall girl; 'take the can and fetch some
water from the pit。' 'You had better go yourself;' said the girl;
wiping a tear as she looked on the yet senseless form of the
Tinker; 'you had better go yourself; if you think water will do him
good。' I had by this time somewhat recovered my exhausted powers;
and; taking the can; I bent my steps as fast as I could to the pit;
arriving there; I lay down on the brink; took a long draught; and
then plunged my head into the water; after which I filled the can;
and bent my way back to the dingle。 Before I could reach the path
which led down into its depths; I had to pass some way along its
side; I had arrived at a part immediately over the scene of the
last encounter; where the bank; overgrown with trees; sloped
precipitously down。 Here I heard a loud sound of voices in the
dingle; I stopped; and laying hold of a tree; leaned over the bank
and listened。 The two women appeared to be in hot dispute in the
dingle。 'It was all owing to you; you limmer;' said the vulgar
woman to the other; 'had you not interfered; the old man would soon
have settled the boy。'
'I'm for fair play and Long Melford;' said the other。 'If your old
man; as you call him; could have settled the boy fairly; he might
for all I should have cared; but no foul work for me; and as for
sticking the boy with our gulleys when he comes back; as you
proposed; I am not so fond of your old man or you that I should
oblige you in it; to my soul's destruction。' 'Hold your tongue; or
I'll … ' I listened no farther; but hastened as fast as I could to
the dingle。 My adversary had just begun to show signs of
animation; the vulgar woman was still supporting him; and
occasionally cast glances of anger at the tall girl; who was
walking slowly up and down。 I lost no time in dashing the greater
part of the water into the Tinman's face; whereupon he sneezed;
moved his hands; and presently looked round him。 At first his
looks were dull and heavy; and without any intelligence at all; he
soon; however; began to recollect himself; and to be conscious of
his situation; he cast a scowling glance at me; then one of the
deepest malignity at the tall girl; who was still walking about
without taking much notice of what was going forward。 At last he
looked at his right hand; which had evidently suffered from the
blow against the tree; and a half…stifled curse escaped his lips。
The vulgar woman now said something to him in a low tone; whereupon
he looked at her for a moment; and then got upon his legs。 Again
the vulgar woman said something to him; her looks were furious; and
she appeared to be urging him on to attempt something。 I observed
that she had a clasped knife in her hand。 The fellow remained
standing for some time as if hesitating what to do; at last he
looked at his hand; and; shaking his head; said something to the
woman which I did not understand。 The tall girl; however; appeared
to overhear him; and; probably repeating his words; said; 'No; it
won't do; you are right there; and now hear what I have to say; …
let bygones be bygones; and let us all shake hands; and camp here;
as the young man was saying just now。' The man looked at her; and
then; without any reply; went to his horse; which was lying down
among the trees; and kicking it up; led it to the cart; to which he
forthwith began to harness it。 The other cart and horse had
remained standing motionless during the whole affair which I have
been recounting; at the bottom of the pass。 The woman now took the
horse by the head; and leading it with the cart into the open part
of the dingle; turned both round; and then led them back; till the
horse and cart had mounted a little way up the ascent; she then
stood still and appeared to be expecting the man。 During this
proceeding Belle had stood looking on without saying anything; at
last; perceiving that the man had harnessed his horse to the other
cart; and that both he and the woman were about to take their
departure; she said; 'You are not going; are you?' Receiving no
answer; she continued: 'I tell you what; both of you; Black John;
and you Moll; his mort; this is not treating me over civilly; …
however; I am ready to put up with it; and to go with you if you
like; for I bear no malice。 I'm sorry for what has happened; but
you have only yourselves to thank for it。 Now; shall I go with