Читать книгу Pugilistica - Henry Downes Miles - Страница 6

Our own opinion of the fight may be gathered from the few brief notes we have bracketed in the report. The immense amount of assertion and rejoinder which filled the sporting papers for weeks was “flat, stale and unprofitable.” The stakeholder being served with legal notice to return the stakes, the referee (George Osbaldiston, Esq.) wrote thus to that gentleman:—

“To the Editor of ‘Bell’s Life in London.’

“Sir,—​An appeal having been made to me, as referee, by Mr. Spring, to reverse my decision in the late fight between Bendigo and Caunt, on grounds unworthy of my consideration, I request you will confirm that decision by paying over the stakes to Bendigo, who, in my opinion, is justly entitled to them. It was with the greatest reluctance, and at the particular request of my friends and the unanimous solicitations of the backers of the men, that I accepted the office; but I shall always consider it one of the greatest acts of folly I ever was guilty of in my life. In discharging my duty I endeavoured to do justice to the contending parties to the best of my abilities and judgment; and, arriving at the conclusion I did, and now confirm, I was actuated only by a complete conviction of the justness of my decision, and not by the intimidation of the roughs, as stated by Mr. Spring in his letter.” After some further remarks in reply to Spring, the referee goes on to say:—​“Had I been under the intimidation of the ‘roughs’ I had several opportunities of putting an end to the fight before the conclusion by foul acts on the part of Caunt. A noble lord, and several gentlemen who stood close by me during the whole fight, can corroborate this statement. I most positively deny that I stated to any one that a man going down without a blow, after he himself had treacherously delivered blows, was fair. In no one instance, in my judgment, did Bendigo break the laws of fair fighting. I must also deny, in the most positive manner, that I ever stated to any person that I did not see the last round. I saw every round distinctly and clearly, and when Caunt came up the last round he had evidently not recovered from the 92nd. After the men were in position Bendigo very soon commenced operations, and Caunt turned round directly and skulked away, with his back to Bendigo, and sat down on his nether end. He never knocked Bendigo down once in the fight, nor ever got him against the ropes in the last round. In my opinion Caunt got away as soon as he could from Bendigo, fell without a blow to avoid being hit out of time, and fairly lost the fight.

“I am, your obedient servant,

“THE OLD SQUIRE.

“Doncaster, Sept. 18th, 1845.”

In 1849 the Championship was certainly at a low ebb. Con Parker, a big brother of Tass, so it was publicly said, challenged the distinction, after beating Jem Bailey in a scrambling fight in February of that year, and received a forfeit from the Tipton Slasher in September. He was a great, hulking pretender, of 6ft. high, and about 13st., but his pretensions were quickly snuffed out by Tass Parker (weight 11st. 8lb.), who showed at Frimley Green, on November 26th, in 27 rounds, that Master Con had no points of a fighting man about him. Con went to America, and died soon after suddenly. As Tass declined to call himself Champion, there was literally no Champion at all. In this interregnum, at the beginning of 1850, the bold Bendigo called upon the editor of Bell’s Life, and declared that sooner than the title should be so knocked about he would once more do battle for the honour of the Ring. He then left £10 with the editor as an earnest that he was ready to meet any man in England, for £200 a side, half-way between home and home. At the same time it was stated that Bendy and Caunt had met, shaken hands, and buried the past in oblivion. Caunt had undertaken to stand a portion of Bendy’s battle-money, fight whom he might, and Bendy, to prove his sincerity, had presented Caunt with the belt with which he had been girded by Jem Ward after his defeat of the Deaf ’un. The Nottingham challenge was not long unanswered. Caunt and Bendigo, the new Orestes and Pylades, took, three weeks later—​namely, February 4th, 1850—​a joint benefit at the National Baths, Westminster Road.

Now, Johnny Broome had, ad interim, stated publicly that he had an unknown whom he was ready to back against Bendy for his own sum. Accordingly, after a friendly glove-bout with Harry Broome, Tom Paddock came forward, and announcing himself as Johnny’s “Unknown,” declared his readiness to post, and make a match with Bendy for £200 a side. Peter Crawley responded, and £30 was staked, the next meeting to take place at Peter’s house, the “Queen’s Head and French Horn,” Smithfield, on the next Tuesday. This merely produced a stormy meeting upon details, deposits, and a stakeholder, and a further adjournment to another night, to meet at Jem Burn’s. Here the matter was finally adjusted, and accordingly the men met on the 5th of June, 1850.

It was much to Bendigo’s credit that on this occasion he took unusual pains with his training, and came to the post in prime fettle, looking, as a friend said, “fresh as a four-year-old,” though verging on his fortieth year. When we saw him we felt some misgiving about the stability of his damaged knee; he walked unmistakably lame, and the whole left side was evidently lower than the right.

The articles provided that the fight should take place, as nearly as possible, half-way between London and Nottingham—​the stakeholder to name the place. The recollection of former events in which Bendy had been concerned led to some difficulty in making a selection, and after much consideration it was determined that Mildenhall Road Station, in the county of Suffolk, should be the fixture, that place being, by road, rather nearer to Nottingham than to London; but, as it turned out, the travelling by rail gave the advantage to the London party—​the Nottingham folks having to make three changes before they reached the ground, while the Londoners proceeded direct.

Due notice of the place was given to the parties interested on the Tuesday week before the mill, and they made such arrangements as best suited them. A special train was announced to start from Shoreditch Station at precisely eight o’clock on the morning of fighting. It was resolved only to have first and second class carriages, and that the fares should be £2 and £1 respectively for conveyance “there and back.” Third-class carriages were rejected to prevent the obtrusion of persons whose presence is invariably productive of disorder. Public notice was given of this arrangement, and on the morning in question, the weather being in every way desirable, the arrival, in rapid succession, of cabs, &c. in which an unusual number of Corinthians were perceptible, evinced the spirit that was abroad.

We must now turn to Bendigo. It would seem that during the previous week his Nottingham friends had come in great numbers to visit him at his training quarters, and being of the rough class, and not very particular when out for a spree, they contrived to create so much prejudice in the minds of the quiet and easy folk of the neighbourhood, that an application was made for a warrant to apprehend Bendigo on his way to the battle-field, and this warrant was placed in the hands of a constable for execution. Bendigo had previously shifted his quarters, and taken up his abode at the house of a staunch friend, whence, on Monday, he proceeded to a station eight miles from Nottingham, intending thence to depart for the scene of action. Here he was recognised by a “blue,” and an attempt was made to take him into custody. Bendy, however, being on the alert, broke from the grasp of the Philistines, and rushed through the house in which he was to a back yard, locking the door as he retreated. He then scrambled over some pig-sties, reached the open country, and by a circuitous route gained the main road, where a fly followed, picked him up, and conveyed him on his course. Police were mounted as quickly as possible, but too late to overtake the fugitive, who reached Newark, posted on to Stamford, where he slept, and on Tuesday evening reached in safety the Railway Tavern at Mildenhall, where he took up his quarters for the night, thus safely evading the trap which had been laid for his detention; and here he was found, surrounded by a good many friends, on the arrival of the metropolitan division.

An admirable inner and outer ring were formed on a spot about a quarter of a mile from the station, and few meetings had taken place in modern times at which there were so many persons of rank and consideration assembled. The total number of spectators was under 2,000, and the partisans of the men were pretty evenly balanced.

Soon after twelve o’clock, Paddock, who had been reposing under some shady trees, approached the scene of action, and, flinging his tile into the ring, was received with loud applause. It was nearly one o’clock before Bendy put in an appearance. He seemed in perfect good humour, but exhibited none of those antics by which his early career was distinguished. He was quiet and easy in his deportment, and submitted himself to the guidance of Jemmy the Black and Jack Hannan. Paddock was escorted into the arena by Solid Coates and Macdonald. There was a grim smile upon his countenance. He approached Bendy, and they shook hands with apparent cordiality. Bendy pulled a roll of bank notes from his pocket, as if intending to challenge his opponent to make a bet, but this Paddock declined. The toss for choice of corners was won by Bendy, and to the surprise of many he selected that in which he had to stare old Sol in the face; and perhaps his solar majesty never put forth a more glowing phiz, for in truth it was “phizzing” hot throughout the day, and the shades of umbrellas were sought for the protection of both men, who seated themselves on the ground in their respective corners, while the usual discussion arose concerning the selection of a referee. This knotty point led to a variety of difficulties. Several persons, noblemen and gentlemen, were suggested and rejected, and at last serious apprehensions were entertained that there would be no fight. Finally, the representative of Bell’s Life, who had twice refused the office, was induced, rather than spoil sport, to waive his own feelings on the subject, and to undertake a duly as unpleasant as it proved to be dangerous.

The men then commenced their toilettes. They fought in sparrow-bills instead of the objectionable spikes. On being completely peeled, their condition and physical pretensions were open for general criticism. Bendigo appeared extremely well in health, but thinner than usual, his weight not exceeding 11st. 9½lb., being 2lb. less than when he fought Caunt. His face also looked thinner, and, it could not be denied, betrayed the advance of time, and although not an old man, when compared with Paddock he certainly might be pronounced a veteran warrior. He was very quiet, and evidently foresaw that he had his work to do—​work which he resolved to perform for the last time with as much acuteness as his experience could suggest. Paddock looked as fresh and fit as his best friends could desire. His face presented a glow of florid health, and there was nothing superfluous about his frame. Immediately beneath his drawers was a strengthening plaister, which seemed to cover his loins. He stood much taller than Bendigo, over whom his length of reach appeared to give him a decided advantage. Regarding the general appearance of the two men, the current seemed strongly to run in favour of youth; but, notwithstanding this apparent discrepancy, two to one was offered on Bendigo. The customary overtures having been adjusted, time was called, and the men appeared at the scratch.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—​At twenty minutes to two the men were in position, Bendigo right foot foremost, with his arms close to his chest, and waiting for the attack. Paddock, on the contrary, had both arms stretched out before him, evidently, to our judgment, too much so to admit of heavy delivery. He made two or three steps forward, as if to commence the attack, but Bendy stepped back. Paddock exhibited great anxiety to get to work. Bendigo shifted his ground and got away. They played round each other in this way for a second or two, when Paddock came to a standstill, crossed his arms on his breast, and looked thoughtfully at the “old’un.” At last Paddock commenced his long-armed operations, and both flung out their feelers left and right, but without getting home. They fought wildly, and missed their blows. In the close Paddock was down, Bendy on him; but the trifling taps which reached their persons would not have ruffled the wing of a butterfly.

2.—​Paddock quick to the scratch, impatient to get to work; and slight taps were exchanged, Bendy on Paddock’s body, and Paddock returning the compliment with his right. It was a scrambling affair, and the round ended in Bendigo getting down.

3.—​Paddock again rushed to the charge with more impatience than judgment, popped in a slight slap with his right on Bendy’s nut, and was following up his tactics, when Bendy pirouetted round. Paddock pursued him with resolution, and as he was on the retreat let fly with his right, which, catching Bendy on the ribs, tumbled him down, amidst the cheers of the Redditch representatives. (First knock-down for Paddock.)

4.—​No sooner was “time” called than Paddock rushed to the scratch, his arms still too much in advance. Bendigo adopted the dodging system, retreating from his man, and got away. Paddock, however, would not be denied, hit out wildly left and right, Bendigo covering his head with both arms, and again turning round on the pirouetting principle. Paddock fought fast and wild, but without precision. Bendigo, equally abroad, hit out twice, but missed his destination, and in the close went down.

5.—​Paddock up and at it still, but without the judgment of a good tactician. He missed left and right, but rushed on with such vigour that Bendigo was again obliged to retreat with a twirling evolution, and in avoiding Paddock’s wild pursuit got down—​Paddock pointing at him with his finger with contempt.

6.—​Bendy came coolly to the scratch, looking as cunning as an old fox, and prepared for the attack. He had not long to wait, for Paddock, with his usual impetuosity, dashed to his work, Bendy getting away. Paddock followed him up till they reached the ropes, and a hasty rally followed, when Paddock popped in his left and right, the latter on Bendy’s ear. Bendy returned the compliment, hit out left and right, caught Paddock on the left eyebrow, and dropped. First blood was now claimed for Bendy, a slight tinge being perceptible on Paddock’s left eyebrow.

7.—​Paddock again as quick as lightning to the scratch, and after some wild but very ineffective exchanges, Bendy went down. As he lay Paddock held his foot above his body, as if intending to scrunch him; but luckily, whatever might have been his wishes, he had discretion enough to resist the momentary impulse.

8.—​Paddock no sooner up than at it; Bendy on the retreat, and twirling round to avoid his resolute pursuer. Paddock followed him till they closed at the ropes, over which Bendy fell, Paddock on him.

9.—​Paddock again too hastily to business, when, after some wild exchanges, they closed. Paddock grappled his man, and, as he held him in his left arm, chopped his nob with his right, till he slipped down on his nether end.

10.—​Paddock pursued his fast tactics, but so wild were the deliveries on both sides that no serious mischief was done; and in the close, in trying for the fall, they were both down, Bendy uppermost.

11.—​Paddock hit short with his left; Bendy got away. Paddock would not be denied, delivered his left and right, and closed, when after a severe struggle (Paddock chopping with his right) Bendigo was thrown over the ropes. On getting up blood was perceptible on the left brow of Bendigo; so far, therefore, the punishment was pretty much upon a par.

12.—​Paddock impatiently rushed to his man, hit wildly with his left, and closed at the ropes. A short struggle; both down, Bendy undermost.

13.—​Paddock, quick to work, gave the “old ’un” no time for reflection, dashed at him left and right, tumbled him over the ropes, and fell on him. The youth and vigour of Paddock up to this time seemed to have put all Bendy’s memorable tactics at defiance, and although nothing had been done to produce a sensation in the way of punishment on either side, the manner in which Bendy retreated from his opponent, which was so utterly unexpected, produced a strong feeling to his disfavour, and those who had so freely backed him in the first instance, turned round and laid against him; in fact, six to four was offered on Paddock.

14.—​The quickness of Paddock’s onslaughts obviously set Bendigo’s bellows in motion; he was, however, ready at the call of “time,” and met the coming charge with determination. Some heavy hits were exchanged, Paddock catching the lion’s share. In the close there was a desperate struggle for the fall, during which Bendigo, to resist the throw, caught Paddock round the face with his right, amidst a cry of “He’s gouging him.” It was asserted that he was endeavouring to force his fingers into his eye, but it was not so. His hand was against Paddock’s bleeding cheek. In the end Bendy was down, Paddock on him. Complaint was made to the referee of the alleged gouging, but the evidence was not sufficient to justify any interruption of the fight on that account.

15.—​Paddock was not to be restrained; he rushed across the ring, delivered his left twice, and Bendigo, in getting away, fell.

16.—​The fighting on the part of Paddock was still at railway speed, not a little exhausting to both men in the heat of the sun. Bendy fought on the get-away principle, and after some wild exchanges Paddock slipped down, Bendy falling over him.

17.—​A determined rally, in which heavy hits were exchanged; Bendy catching it on the nob and nose, from whence the blood trickled. They stood well to their work, Paddock never flinching, and in the end Bendy was down.

18.—​Paddock, as resolute as ever, rushed in left and right; his hands were, however, too far from his body, and his execution not effective. Bendigo waited his opportunity, and popped in his right on Paddock’s cheek, on which he made another incision. A scrambling rally followed, which ended in Bendy being down. The fighting was the reverse of scientific, and as wild as at a country fair.

19.—​Paddock, so impatient was he to be at work, rose from his second’s knee before time was called. Bendigo dodged from his corner, but in getting away slipped down without a blow. He was evidently playing the old soldier and reserving his strength, while Paddock was putting forth all his energies. The referee called on Paddock’s seconds to check his impetuosity, and to prevent his running over the scratch to meet his man.

20.—​Paddock, to time again, dropped on Bendy’s nob with his right twice in succession. Bendy down and threw up his hands; the fighting was too fast for his taste, and the young one would not be denied; still on Bendy’s frontispiece there were few marks of punishment, save on his left ear, which was considerably swollen from Paddock’s occasional pats.

21.—​Another ferocious onslaught by Paddock; wild hits were exchanged in Bendy’s corner, where he dropped.

22.—​Paddock, as usual, first to work, but Bendy succeeded in planting a left-handed stinger on Paddock’s cheek-bone, drawing more claret. A rally in the corner; both down, and Bendy undermost.

23.—​Bendigo waited for Paddock’s charge, and gave him a heavy counter-hit with his left. A rally followed, in which Bendy popped in his right three times in succession on Paddock’s ribs. Paddock was not idle, and, in the close at the ropes, continued hammering away with his right as Bendy fell on the ropes. A cry of “Foul,” but the referee decided “Fair.” Bendy had not reached the ground.

24.—​A scrambling close, in which both were down; not much mischief done.

25.—​Paddock to business, and after some trifling exchanges Bendy got down on the saving system.

26.—​No time lost; Paddock up and ready, when Bendy rattled in and delivered a terrible smasher on Paddock’s smeller, and fell. More claret from Paddock, and cries of “The old ’un’s not beaten yet.”

27.—​To business in earnest. Paddock got home slightly with his left. Bendy down in getting away, when Paddock followed him and delivered an upper-cut with his right; and as he was getting away, Bendy jumped up, retorted, and a desperate rally followed, in which heavy hits were exchanged. Bendy down and up again. Bendy ultimately down. Paddock had lost control over his temper, and was wild with excitement. The punishment to both was severe, although not so perceptible on Bendy, from the blows being delivered on the side of his head and ear.

28.—​Paddock got home with his left on Bendy’s optic, and Bendy fell.

29.—​Bendy no sooner at the scratch than dropped by a delivery from Paddock’s right on the side of the head.

30.—​Paddock, more impatient than ever, darted across the ring to his man, hit left and right with his customary wildness, and repeating the dose with his left; Bendy down. The fight had now lasted thirty-five minutes.

31.—​Wild fighting; Bendy down to avoid.

32.—​The fighting all one way. Paddock rattled in left and right as before, not giving Bendy time to arrive at the scratch, and almost before “time” was called delivering his one, two.

33.—​On Bendigo the marks of punishment were not prominent, and he was as cool and quiet as ever. Paddock delivered left and right, and Bendigo fell.

34.—​Paddock in left and right, as heretofore. Bendigo, retreating, fell back under the ropes. Paddock dropped on him with his knees. Another appeal of foul rejected, on the plea that Paddock’s fall was unavoidable.

35.—​Again did Bendy fall, after Paddock had delivered slightly left and right. This dropping system of Bendy’s created a strong feeling of disgust, but it was clear that he was out-fought, and could not resist the vigorous attacks of his antagonist. He was obviously “biding his time.”

36.—​A wild but rattling rally. The men fought and closed at the ropes, over which Bendy hung, Paddock peppering away at him from above. Another appeal of foul, which the referee again rejected, to the danger of his life. Several of the Nottingham division threatened him with their sticks, charging him with gross partiality, and asserting that the fight had been lost over and over again. The referee repeated his caution to Paddock’s friends to restrain his impetuosity and keep his temper.

37.—​A lively rally, in which some wild hits, left and right, were exchanged. Both were down. Another appeal was made, on the ground that Paddock had been using turpentine and resin on his hands, contrary to the 27th rule of the Ring, by which it is provided “that the use of resin be deemed foul.” A suspicion existed that Paddock had been provided with resin in a dissolved state before the fight commenced, and a protest was entered against its use. Paddock was brought to the referee for examination, and there could be no doubt that his hands had been smeared with resin, but whether put on before the fight commenced, or after, could not be proved. The referee pronounced that such practice was foul, but, in the absence of direct evidence ordered that his hands should be washed, and that the fight should proceed—​much to the renewed distaste or Bendigo’s friends, whose exclamations of partiality were vociferous.

38.—​The delay occasioned by this examination gave an opportunity for Bendigo to recover his second wind, and come fresher to the scratch, for on time being called he waited steadily for his man, and on his coming in met him with a tremendous hit with his right on the bridge of the nose, drawing his cork in a most decided manner; the blood came trickling from his proboscis in a purple stream, and, after a short rally, both were down. The last hit made a decided turn in “the affairs of man,” and more especially in the minds of Bendy’s patrons, who cheered lustily.

39.—​Bendigo again made himself up for mischief, and after stopping Paddock’s one, two, he delivered three loud sounding whacks on his ribs, which were heard all round the ring. A wild rally followed, and Bendy was down. The betting was now evens; Bendy was taken for choice.

40.—​Bendy came up like “a giant refreshed.” He clearly saw he had brought his man to his level. He met him as he came bouncing in, stopped, closed, grappled for the throw, and fell on him. Renewed shouts from the Nottinghamites.

41.—​Paddock came up, the claret still dripping from his nose. A wild rally, a close at the ropes, and Bendy down.

42.—​Paddock, on getting into his corner, dropped his head as if stung by hits recently received. Still he obeyed the call of “time” as game as a pebble. Bendy, who had also reposed in his corner, got up fresher on his pins, waited for him, again parried his left and right, and once more delivered three heavy body blows with his left, and fell laughing.

43.—​Bendy up at the usual summons, and steady. Paddock impetuously rushed to the attack, Bendy meeting him left and right as he came in. Paddock hit away left and right, forced him back on the ropes, and fell on him.

44.—​Again, after a short struggle at the ropes, did Paddock fall over Bendy.

45.—​A wild rally, in which there were some flying hits exchanged, but Paddock wanted steadiness—​he was too impatient—​and Bendy played the part of Master Reynard. In the close Paddock was down.

46.—​The heat of the weather began to tell on both, and each showed symptoms of fatigue. After a short pause there was a lively rally, in which Paddock received another visitation on the left cheek, and Bendy was down.

47.—​A slight rally, in which exchanges were made, Bendy getting home with his left and going down smiling.

48.—​Six and seven to four were now offered on Bendy, but no takers. The fight had lasted fifty-seven minutes. Paddock had lost none of his precipitate propensities; he rattled to his man, still fresh on his legs, but wild and passionate. Bendy retreated, Paddock after him, and Bendy, in avoiding, fell. Paddock struck him as he was down, and just brushed the top of his head with his right. Another cry of “Foul,” but the referee considered Paddock could not restrain the blow, and the appeal was once more rejected, and another urgent caution given to Paddock’s seconds to prevent his throwing a chance away.

49, and last.—​Bendy waited for his man, but did not wait long. Paddock was with him, and, after an exchange of blows, Bendy fell on the lower rope, which, from being loose, let him down on the ground, and in this position, with his hands up, Paddock deliberately hit his man with his right on the side of the head twice. The last and final appeal was then made, and the referee had now no other option than to pronounce “Foul,” being perfectly satisfied that the man was on the ground when the blow was given.

The decision, of course, produced a great uproar among the losers; and, on Bendigo coming up to have it confirmed, Paddock, who had completely lost his temper, and while he was not offering the slightest resistance, hit him down almost at the feet of the referee. Thus ended this most unsatisfactory battle, with little credit to Bendigo, although strictly in accordance with the 14th rule of the Ring—​“That a blow struck when a man is thrown or down shall be deemed foul.” There were those, of course, who repudiated the decision of the referee, and who, perhaps, without the same opportunity of seeing the real state of the men, considered that Bendy was not actually on the ground. There was not the slightest doubt, however, that he was seated on terra firma, with both his arms spread out, and his legs flat; and in this position Paddock, in the absence of that caution which the referee had so repeatedly recommended, foreseeing what would happen, committed the fatal mistake which ended in his chances being put out of court. It was thought by some that he struck foul for the express purpose of terminating his labours.

The confusion which followed was immense. The friends of Paddock were, of course, clamorous, and highly incensed at the disappointment of their hopes. There was, however, no help for it; the decision was strictly in accordance with rule, and although certainly mortifying could not have been otherwise if the laws were to be obeyed, added to which, Paddock had been over and over again cautioned against suffering his temper to get the better of his judgment. It is said that his seconds urged him to go in; this might be the case, but they should also have impresed upon him—​if he were capable of guidance—​what must be the sure result of intemperance, on which Bendigo and his coadjutors no doubt relied. However provoking it might be for Bendigo to get down to avoid mischief—​too much the practice of pugilists of modern times—​in Bendigo’s case might be justified by the superior strength and length of his antagonist. It does not follow that the breach of a clear rule is to be overlooked. Indeed, the reader can hardly fail to perceive that the referee was slow to decide against Paddock where he had any excuse for palliating his errors. These were considerations, however, which did not weigh with the angry party; they followed the referee out of the ring with volumes of abuse, and finally one of the gang (Long Charley Smith, of Birmingham) stealthily came behind him, and with a bludgeon dealt him a terrific blow on the back of the head, which for a moment paralysed him. Fortunately Tom Spring, who was behind, and heard the blow, turned round to prevent a repetition of the cowardly assault (narrowly escaping a similar compliment intended for himself by another ruffian), and the assassin fled, although his companions, also well known, remained to applaud the act with the consoling exclamation of “Sarved him right.” The effects of the concussion were serious, and subjected the sufferer to some inconvenience, probably to the triumph of those by whom it was abetted. Mr. Vincent Dowling was not one likely to seek redress for an act which no man, however sunk in degradation, in his moments of cool reflection can approve, and which certainly could receive no sympathy from the lovers of fair play.

Remarks.—​Of the character of the fight we cannot speak in terms of praise. Bendigo was clearly overmatched; it was old age opposed to youth, vigour, and determination. In the early rounds of the fight he found his mistake. He could not withstand the impetuous rushes of the young’un, whose tactics were to bear down all the shifty dodges of his opponent, and this he did with a vengeance, and with a precipitation altogether at variance with sound discretion, although, for a time, Bendigo’s knowledge of the art was set at naught by it. The rapidity of the rounds—​49 in 59 minutes—​will show that there was little time for reflection on either side. Bendy soon discovered that he had “caught a Tartar,” and not, as he imagined, “a yokel.” Physically he was incapable of resisting the avalanche of sinew and bone which poured upon him, and as the only resource he had recourse to the distasteful practice of getting down, when he found destruction inevitable. This all practitioners will pronounce perfectly consistent with rule; as no man can be expected, for the mere gratification of the spectators, to submit to punishment if he can avoid it by legal expedients. The editor of Bell’s Life is candid enough to admit that he had a prejudice against Bendigo. We may add that the reading of his report of Bendigo’s third fight with Caunt fully shows this. For his own sake, and that of his friends, it was Bendigo’s duty to make the most of his knowledge and strength, and to husband whatever powers he possessed. This he did to the best of his ability, and had the worst of the battle, as the betting would show, till Paddock, by his own headstrong career, began to exhibit the effects of his own folly; he was, in fact, reduced to the level of his crafty antagonist, who, the moment he saw his time, came out with his reserve, and the blows which he then administered were of stinging effect, quickly perceptible by the judges, who, foreseeing the storm approaching, turned round to get out of their difficulties, and, from being a non-favourite, Bendigo soon had the call at six to four. The effects of this change were obvious; Paddock became still more wild, and rushed to his work without temper or reflection, although repeatedly called to by the referee to be careful in avoiding that which was easily foreseen, viz., the delivery of a foul blow. More than once was he saved from the consequences of his precipitation by the indulgence of the referee; there were doubts of which he had the benefit, to the personal risk of the referee; and yet at last he fell into the trap which was laid for him, and left to the referee no other option than to pronounce judgment against him—​a judgment which was given with reluctance, but, as every impartial witness of the battle must acknowledge, with justice.

With regard to the state of the men, we may mention that Paddock reached London, per special train, the same night, little the worse for wear, with the exception of his swollen mazzard and damaged snout. The same night, however, it was discovered that he had seriously injured his right hand, which he had to submit to surgical inspection, and for some weeks he wore his arm in a sling, and his hand protected by a splint.

Bendigo remained at the “Railway Tavern” till the London trains had departed, and in due course commenced his return, with his friends, to Nottingham, where he arrived the same night by the express train. His success had been telegraphed, and an immense crowd assembled to hail his return—​a band of music being prepared to strike up “See the conquering hero comes.” He proceeded to his brother’s house, where, upon examination, his injuries appeared more serious than had been supposed. In a fortnight after the battle Bendigo came to town and received the battle-money at Jem Burn’s, when he declared in a formal manner his intention of finally retiring from the ring. Hereupon the Tipton Slasher, who was present, and who had recovered from his illness, again laid claim to the Championship, offering to meet any man in England for £200 to £300 a side, or to fight Tom Paddock and stake £350. This led to a match for £150 a side, but this ended in a draw. A second match was soon after arranged, which came off on the 17th December, 1850, at Woking, the details of which will be found in the history of the career of the Tipton Slasher.

This time Bendy kept his word, and thenceforward confined his eccentricities to occasional outbursts at Nottingham elections and other occasions of public holidays and festivities. In some of these escapades he afforded considerable amusement to the public, and employment to the pens of provincial reporters, by the mother wit of his defence, or the ludicrous aspect he imparted to the results of his fistic or gymnastic evolutions. After some solemn promises of amendment made to their worships, and a pledge to Father Mathew (he was never a sot), we heard of Bendy’s “conversion,” and of his appearance in the white choker (he always wore the straight hair) of a dissenting preacher. On the occasion of a visit to London, in which he was introduced to a congregation of the faithful at the Holborn Circus (turned for the nonce into a conventicle), a good story is told of “a keen encounter of the wits” between the ex-pugilist and a noble lord who met the preacher in a West-end thoroughfare. After a mutual stare of surprised recognition, his lordship inquired, glancing at Bendy’s parsonic “get-up,” what might be his “little game” now. As befitted his new vocation, the solemn reply was, “Truly, my lord, I am now fighting Satan—​and behold the victory shall be mine.” “I hope so, Bendy,” rejoined his lordship, “but pray fight Beelzebub more fairly than you did Ben Caunt, or I may change my side.”

A final word on the much-disputed nickname of Bendigo. Of course, as people generally invent some plausible meaning or derivation for a word they do not comprehend, we were told (first, I believe, by an Australian paper) that “Bendigo was the name given to an English prizefighter from his bending as he went in to fight. Hence called Bend-I-go.” Prodigious etymologist! We never saw any such bend in Bend-i-go, or any other pugilist, though we have heard of “a Grecian bend” in a lady.

William Thompson was, as we have already noted, one of three boys at a birth, and these, among people irreverently familiar with the use of Scripture names, were called (though not at the baptismal font), Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. A curious confirmation of this is now before us in our hero’s first challenge, in Bell’s Life, in 1835, wherein he styles himself “Abednego, of Nottingham.” Yet ever afterwards that journal prints the popular vernacular corruption of “Bendigo.” In this matter of Abednego do we not find—

The breath of chance, the bubbles of the present,

Fraught with no meaning to the duller sense,

Foreshow and shape our dark and unknown future?

The Abednego of Nottingham, who nearly half a century ago was “ready to meet any 12st. man,” is now, in 1880, “articled” to floor the “Prince of Darkness” himself, who—​we have Shakespeare’s word for it—​is every inch “a gentleman.”

Thus far had we penned our memoir of the eccentric pugilistic preacher, when an annonce in the London journals informed the public, that on Monday, the 23rd of August, William Thompson (alias Bendigo) had died at Beeston, near Nottingham, in the 69th year of his age. His death was the result of an accident, he having fallen downstairs at his own house, and fractured three of his ribs, a bony splinter perforating the lung. Poor Bendy, as we have already stated, was always fond of acrobatic tricks. A severe accident some years since while playing at quoits, a broken knee-cap, which permanently shortened his right leg, and, subsequently, a serious injury to his head, while in pursuit of “the contemplative man’s recreation,” bear witness that his talent for knocking a man about extended to his own person. In all probability, but for these untoward mischances, “the Bold Bendigo” might have added another to the many Champions of the P.R. who have exceeded the Psalmist’s limit of “three score years and ten.”

[2] Ponderous Parliamentary blue-books, election petitions, “Reports” of Committees of the House, bear abundant testimony to the frays and feuds of the “Nottingham Lambs,” from the sacking of Clumber and the burning of Nottingham Castle to the street and faction fights of this turbulent town.

[3] “Natura tenacissimi sumus eorum quæ pueri percipimus, ut sapor, quo nova vasa imbuuntur, durat,” says the old heathen tutor of Nero.

[4] If Burton, of Leicester, is meant, he was then 11 years old. His first fight was with a native of Swindon, in May, 1845.

[5] Burke’s performance of “The Venetian Statues” was highly popular in America and England.

[6] This is a gratuitous and unjust imputation on a most honourable sportsman. The writer on this eventful day sat on a small form, immediately by the side of the Squire, throughout the whole fight. Caunt was, unless a chance hit or fall had turned the tide, a beaten man thus far.—​Ed. “Pugilistica.”

[7] We saw this, but believe it was meant for the man who was hit.—​Ed. “Pugilistica.”

[8] There was great confusion, but the referee rose from his seat and went to Bendigo’s corner of his own accord, and without obstruction. The partisans of the men were equally violent.—​Ed. “Pugilistica.”

[9] As we made a full note of every round of the fight, the perusal of this in the following Sunday’s paper astounded us.—​Ed. “Pugilistica.”

[10] We firmly believe, from his position near the centre stake, on the grass, that the editor of Bell’s Life was unable to see clearly what passed, that he was compelled to trust to others for the actual incidents of these later rounds, and that he was designedly misled.—​Ed.