It was parried, and the next moment the two closed in a deadly struggle.
It was a terrible sight for the widow to witness these two herculean men exerting their great strength to the utmost in a hand-to-hand conflict in that small hut, like two tigers in a cage.
Henry, although nearly six feet in height, and proportionally broad and powerful, was much inferior to his gigantic antagonist; but to the superior size and physical force of the latter he opposed the lithe activity and the fervid energy of youth, so that to an unpractised eye it might have seemed doubtful at first which of the two men had the best chance.
Straining his powers to the utmost, Henry attempted to lift his opponent off the ground and throw him.

In this he was nearly successful.

Gascoyne staggered, but recovered himself instantly.

They did not move much from the center of the room, nor was there much noise created during the conflict.

It seemed too close--too full of concentrated energy, of heavy, prolonged straining--for much violent motion.