And the other man's blood roused, for his fist landed under the wolf-skin cap with force sufficient to drive its owner back against Corliss.

The insulted man followed up his attack swiftly.

The women slipped away, leaving a free field for the men, some of whom were for crowding in, and some for giving room and fair play.
The wolf-skin cap did not put up a fight or try to meet the wrath he had invoked, but, with his hands shielding his face, strove to retreat.
The crowd called upon him to stand up and fight.

He nerved himself to the attempt, but weakened as the man closed in on him, and dodged away.
"Let him alone.

He deserves it," the colonel called to Vance as he showed signs of interfering.