The rough's blows were answered with no less vigour by the man of commerce.
"Hook it!" shouted Gammon to the tottering Polperro.

"Get out of it!" The clock was still striking; the crowd kept up its brutal blare, aided by shrill instruments of noise.

Only a few people heard Polperro's shout defying the enemy.
"Let him come on! Let him come on like a man! Take that, you ruffian, and that!" Gammon, knowing the conflict grossly unequal, did not scruple to fight his own way.

Polperro, wildly thrashing about him with both fists, excited wrath in every direction.

There was a general scrimmage; shouts of rage mingled with wild laughter; the throng crushed this way and that.