The possession of the fortress was now in fact divided between them; and
a mutual consciousness of their relative equality determined the two
parties, as if by common consent, quietly to behold the result of the
affair between the leaders. They had once recovered their feet, but were
both of them again down, Munro being uppermost. Every artifice known to
the lusty wrestlers of this region was put in exercise, and the struggle
was variously contested. At one time the ascendency was clearly with the
one, at another moment it was transferred to his opponent; victory, like
some shy arbiter, seeming unwilling to fix the palm, from an equal
regard for both the claimants. Munro still had the advantage; but a
momentary pause of action, and a sudden evolution of his antagonist, now
materially altered their position, and Dexter, with the sinuous agility
of the snake, winding himself completely around his opponent, now
whirled him suddenly over and brought himself upon him. Extricating his
arms with admirable skill, he was enabled to regain his knee, which was
now closely pressed upon the bosom of the prostrate man, who struggled,
but in vain, to free himself from the position.
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