Lime was saving himself for a supreme effort.

The Nagle party, encouraged by the sound of the blows which Steve struck, began to yell and to show that they were ready to take a hand in the contest.
"Go it, Steve, we'll back yeh! Give it to 'im.

We're with yeh! We'll tend to the rest." They began to pull off their coats.
Rice also threw off his coat.

"Never mind these cowards, Lime.

Hold on! Fair play!" he yelled, as he saw young Nagle about to strike Lime from behind.
His cry startled Lime, and with a sudden leap he dealt Steve a terrible blow full in the face, and as he went reeling back made another leaping lunge and struck him to the ground--a motion that seemed impossible to one of his bulk.