Mezzoni the Brigand — page 58: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

. 5 = - ~ wate i AS * pa eee 4s ul - Z “As > ae ens > 4 . ~: J * “fia ee Ter ve . ‘ C¢ ‘ 00 MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. was a smaller man altogether, but yet firm and ex- ceedingly well-built, showing excellent muscle, and where the body had not been exposed to the action of the elements, a fair and white skin. It would have seemed that the man called Vecchio must win by mere force of superior weight and strength. As we have said, he approached care- lessly and struck out at the sailor as though he would crush him with a single blow. But the Ital- ian found his fist warded off without exertion, and he received in return a blow upon his nose—which was a very prominent one—that covered his whole front with blood. This was the first ‘‘round,’’ as they called the encounter, and both men retired fo1 a moment to opposite sides of the ring, while Vec- chio’s comrades wiped the blood from his face and chest. ‘Hirst blood for the Levanter,’’ cried several. Vecchio did not like this exclamation, and at the word came up to meet his antagonist with consider- able anger visible in his countenance. This time he rushed at the sailor as though he had been a bull, in- tending to transfix his adversary with his horns, at the same time striking at hisface. The stranger stepped lightly on one side and gave the big Italian a blow on the side of the head that turned him half round, and then threw him flat upon the ground. “First knock down for the Levanter!’’ they ex- claimed. | | Again the men retired to opposite corners for a moment, while Vecchio began to open his eyes in amazement to see one so much smaller than himself, and who could not possibly be so strong as he was, yet absolutely getting the better of him. His com- rades, who were equally surprised, commenced to ‘ECOomMICHDOOKS: co