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The little man found means of putting the big one into chancery--that is
to say, Helmsgail suddenly took under his left arm, which was bent like
a steel crescent, the huge head of Phelem-ghe-Madone, and held it there
under his armpits, the neck bent and twisted, whilst Helmsgail's right
fist fell again and again like a hammer on a nail, only from below and
striking upwards, thus smashing his opponent's face at his ease. When
Phelem, released at length, lifted his head, he had no longer a face.
That which had been a nose, eyes, and a mouth now looked only like a
black sponge, soaked in blood. He spat, and on the ground lay four of
his teeth.
Then he fell. Kilter received him on his knee.
Helmsgail was hardly touched: he had some insignificant bruises and a
scratch on his collar bone.
No one was cold now. They laid sixteen and a quarter to one on
Helmsgail.
Harry Carleton cried out,--
"It is all over with Phelem-ghe-Madone. I will lay my peerage of
Bella-aqua, and my title of Lord Bellew, against the Archbishop of
Canterbury's old wig, on Helmsgail."
"
Give me your muzzle," said Kilter to Phelem-ghe-Madone. And stuffing
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