The hermit landed solidly on his feet a few yards from Urgante,
the flag bearer. With a berserker yell, he rushed. Taken by
surprise, the assailed one still had time to lift the heavy staff.
As quickly, the American lowered his head and dove. It may not
have been magnificent; it certainly was not war by the rules; but
it was eminently effective. To say that the leader went down would
be absurdly inadequate. He simply crumpled. Over and over he
rolled on the cobbles, while the smirched flag flew clear of his
grasp, and fell on the farther sidewalk.
"Wow!" yelled Cluff, leaping into the air. "Football! That cost
him a couple of ribs. Hey, Rube!"
And he rushed for the stairs, followed by Carroll, Sherwen, and,
only one jump behind, Mr. Thatcher Brewster, cursing in a manner
that did credit to his patriotism, but would have added no luster
to his record as an elder of the Pioneer Presbyterian Church, of
Utica, New York.
Meantime, the Unspeakable Perk, having rolled free of the fallen
enemy, staggered to his feet and caught up the flag. Stunned
surprise on the part of the crowd gave him an instant's time.
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