"Ye dir-rty blackguard!" Buff! The Irish soldier's fist caught Mock squarely on the jaw, sending him squarely to earth, though not knocking him out.

After a moment Mock was on his feet again, quivering with rage.

He flew at Riley, who was a smaller man, hammering him hard.

Other soldier-prisoners interfered on behalf of Riley, whereupon Private Wilhelm, a heavily built fellow, rushed to Mock's aid.
"A German and a German sympathizer!" With that yell a dozen or so of time prisoners set upon the pair.
Some lively and perhaps nearly deadly punishment would have been handed out, had not several men of the guard rushed in, thrusting with their rifle butts and breaking up the unequal fight.
But Mock was reported for his utterance, and Wilhelm for his sympathies.

Both were brought up before Captain Greg Holmes, and Dick was sent for to join in questioning the men, which was done behind closed doors.