But Ivan, having the advantage for really the first time, gave his man no time to recover.  He leaped forward and for a third time seized his opponent in a close embrace.  This time Nicolas had been unable to draw a deep breath before the great arms closed about him and he weakened suddenly.

In fact, he weakened so suddenly, that Ivan, believing victory his, released his hold; and this overconfidence almost proved the Cossack’s undoing.  Nicolas, realizing that he could not again free himself from Ivan’s embrace, had decided upon a bold stroke, and by apparently giving up the struggle had placed himself in Ivan’s power absolutely.

Then, when Ivan released his hold, Nicolas dropped suddenly to his knees and seized Ivan by the legs and pulled sharply.  Caught completely off his guard, Ivan toppled over backwards.  Nicolas jumped upon the prostrate form and again his fingers sought Ivan’s throat.

But Ivan was too quick for him and the fingers failed to find their mark.  Ivan doubled up his knees suddenly and thus prevented Nicolas from obtaining his hold; then, straightening out his legs, he hurled Nicolas from him.  Instantly the Cossack was on his feet and after his opponent.

Nicolas also sprang to his feet and as the two men came together again they threw wrestling tactics to the winds and brought their fists into play.  It was plainly apparent that neither had ever been schooled in the art of self-defense and there was nothing skillful about the fight that followed.

The attempts of each to ward off the blows of the other were ludicrous and of little avail.  Almost every blow started went home and it became apparent to the spectators that in this kind of fighting the man who could withstand the most punishment and land the hardest blows must be the victor.

Several hard jolts had found their way to Ivan’s face, but he did not show any symptoms of being unable to continue the battle.  His face was a sight, but so was the face of Nicolas, for the matter of that.  Both men swung hard and often, and nine out of every ten times each landed.

Also both were panting heavily now and it was perfectly plain that the fight must come to an end soon.  And it did, but more suddenly than could have been expected.

Nicolas, swinging wildly for Ivan’s chin, had left an opening as large as a house.  The merest novice must have taken advantage of it.  To Hal and Chester, both skillful boxers, it was the best opening that had been presented during the entire fight, and Hal cried out: 

“Quick, Ivan!”

But his words were not needed.  Ivan had seen the opening and had acted promptly.

“Smack!” his right fist landed heavily between Nicolas’ eyes.

“Smack!” it was his left landing on the point of Nicolas’ jaw.

“Crash!” It sounded like the breaking of bones.  There was a brief silence, followed by another crash.  The first was Ivan’s right over Nicolas’ mouth and the second was the sound caused as Nicolas tumbled to the ground, unconscious.