45.――Grant went into mill, but napped it on the left

ear and nose with severity. Good exchanges followed,

and Sayers again slipped down.

46.――Grant still first to fight, but was cleverly

stopped by Sayers, who was getting more active. They

quickly got to in-fighting, when after a few exchanges

they rolled over, and Grant excited the admiration of

all by the careful manner in which he avoided falling

on his man with his feet or knees.

47, 48.――Grant took the lead in both these rounds, but

was stopped in each instance, and received deliveries

from Sayers’s right on his left ear. He nevertheless

succeeded in each round in planting on Sayers’s left

ear with his dangerous right; but the blows had not

that vigour we have seen him exhibit on former

occasions. Both were down in these rounds.

49.――Some rattling exchanges took place in this round;

Grant getting it on the throat and ribs, and Sayers on

the chest and mouth and eventually slipping down.

50.――Sayers made play on the ribs with his left

heavily, Grant returning on the nose with his left;

Grant then stopped two attempts on the part of Sayers,

made his left and right on the nose and left cheek, and

Sayers slipped down.

51.――Grant again popped in a spank on Tom’s nut,

receiving in return on the smeller heavily, and losing

more claret. Good exchanges followed, when Grant rushed

in and bored his man over the ropes.

52.――Sayers attempted to make the running, but was

stopped by Grant, who went in to mill, and planted both

hands, one on the nose and the other on the left side

of the head heavily. Another on the nose succeeded,

which opened the claret jug again. Sayers only planted

his left once on the nose and slipped down. This round

was decidedly in favour of Grant.

53.――Sayers made his left on the ribs, and tried to

plant the same hand on the nose, but was well stopped.

He received one from Grant’s right on the side of his

head; this brought on a rally, in which he caught it on

the eyebrow heavily, and slipped down.

54.――Grant, thinking the game was now his own, again

rushed in, but Sayers was with him and in the exchanges

which followed he visited Grant’s left ear with great

severity, catching it slightly on the side of the head,

and then getting down cunning.

55.――Grant again first, but stopped; he however, made

good his right on the ribs directly afterwards, and

then his left on the right eye of Sayers, who sent home

his right on the neck, and his left on the left ear.

Grant bored in again, received one on the left ear,

which bled freely, and Sayers slipped down.

56.――A close, and Sayers got down.

57.――No mischief done. Some slight exchanges, and

Sayers slipped down.

58.――Sayers caught Grant as he came in on the nose and

throat, and then on the mazzard heavily, drawing more

of the ruby. Grant then closed, struggled, and both

fell heavily to the ground――Sayers uppermost.

59.――Grant, who seemed weak and exhausted, was twice

stopped; but in a third attempt caught Sayers on the

left ear with his right, and the latter slipped down.

60.――Grant led off, reached Sayers’ left eye, received

one on his damaged listener, and slipped down.

61.――Grant appeared determined to finish the matter off

hand, rushed in left and right on Sayers’ cheek and

nose. Sayers put in both hands on the left eye and

nose; a rally, close, and short struggle, both again

coming to the ground heavily――Grant under.

62.――Sayers tried to lead off, but was short; Grant

just contrived to reach his nose, but the blow had no

steam in it, and Sayers in getting back slipped down.

63.――Both slow to the call of time, and both evidently

exhausted. Grant was first up, but he looked much

flushed; his face was much swollen, his nose anything

but Roman in its appearance, and his left ear

presenting an unpleasant spectacle. He rushed in, but

Sayers, whose good-natured mug still bore the ghost of

a smile, although nearly on the wrong side of his

mouth, stopped him cleverly and got away; Grant

followed him up, got home with his right on the side of

his head, receiving, in return, on the left ear. A

close, and long struggle for the fall, which Grant got,

throwing his man and falling on him.

64 and last.――Grant came up looking very groggy. The

falls in the few last rounds had evidently shaken him.

He appeared to be suffering from cramp, but still was

determined. He led off, getting slightly home on

Sayers’ left cheek bone. Tom retaliated on the left

ear. A few sharp exchanges were succeeded by another

struggle for the fall, and ultimately both came very

heavily to the ground――Grant being undermost――Tom

falling across his stomach. Both were immediately

picked up and carried to their corners, and on time

being called, Jemmy Welsh, on the part of Grant, threw

up the sponge in token of defeat. On our inquiring as

to the cause of this rather unexpected termination of

the affair, we were informed that Grant was severely

suffering from cramp, and had moreover injured some

part of his intestines in such a manner that it was

feared he was ruptured, and he was in such pain that he

could not stand upright. Sayers went up to his fallen

but not disgraced adversary and shook him kindly by the

hand, and was proclaimed the victor amidst the shouts

of his friends. Grant was conveyed on a railway truck

to a small public-house in the neighbourhood, where

every attention was shown to him, but he continued in

great pain for some time afterwards. The poor fellow

was not actually ruptured; but he had received a severe

internal strain, which caused him considerable

uneasiness for some time. Grant met with an accident

some time before at Manchester, which always rendered

him weak in the muscles of the stomach, and he

considered that being not fully up to the mark, he was

more than usually susceptible of injury. The fight

lasted exactly _two hours and a half_.

REMARKS.――The great length to which our account of this

“model mill” has extended imposes upon us the necessity

of being brief in our remarks. Tom Sayers by this

victory established for himself a reputation as a man

of science, courage, and endurance, for which few were

disposed to give him credit. The manner in which he

stopped the determined attacks of his adversary, and

the judgment with which he extricated himself from

difficulty, and continually refused to struggle for the

fall with a man stronger than himself, proved that his

headpiece was screwed on the right way, and that

although, compared with his opponent, a novice in the

Prize Ring, he was perfectly acquainted with the theory

of his art, and only wanted the occasion to arise to

put that theory into practice. He proved himself a very

hard hitter, and managed to get on to his opponent so

frequently that even Grant’s iron mug displayed such

bumps and contusions as the gallant hero has seldom

exhibited in his former engagements. Sayers is a

good-tempered, well-behaved young fellow, and bears a

high character for honour and integrity. He is by this

victory nearly at the top of the tree, and we trust

that by his future conduct he will show that prosperity

has not, in his case, as it has in many we could name

in his profession, had the effect of destroying his

good principles. Grant, although not destined on this

occasion to wear the crown of victory, was not

disgraced by his fall. He manfully disputed every inch

of ground with his clever opponent, and showed that his

qualifications as a sparrer were quite equal to those

of Sayers. His stopping and wrestling were universally

admired, while the manliness and care with which he

avoided falling upon his adversary in such a way as to

cause any dispute, obtained for him the repeated

plaudits of the surrounding throng. The fight, as we

have before observed, was conducted throughout in a way

to leave nothing to be desired.

Tom now remained idle until January of the following year, 1853, when

a game, resolute fellow, named Jack Martin, who had disposed of

several countrymen, and grown into high favour with Ben Caunt, was

brought forward by “Big Ben” to uphold the honour of the “Coach and

Horses.” Tom’s standing challenge was accordingly accepted for £50 a

side, and Wednesday, January 26, 1853, named as the day of battle. A

foggy trip per steamer landed the voyagers in Long Reach, and, the

preparations being made, the men stood up and shook hands; Alec Keene

and a friend, for Sayers, and Tom Paddock and Jerry Noon as seconds

for Martin, joining in the friendly ceremony.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.――On toeing the scratch it was clear to all

that Sayers was a bigger man than his adversary; and,

if possible, in better condition. His eye had resumed

its brightness, and there was a hardness in his general

appearance which made him look all over a perfect

gladiator. Martin, who was shorter in the reach than

his opponent, showed great muscularity of arm and

thighs, but elsewhere he was not nearly so well

furnished. He was pale, but there was a good-humoured

smile on his mug, which showed that the word fear was

unknown in his vocabulary. Little time was lost in

sparring――Sayers led off, catching Martin slightly with

his left on the nose. Martin immediately rushed to

in-fighting, when some heavy hits were exchanged, each

catching it on the left eye, and each showing claret at

the same moment from cuts on the brow. After a few

random shots both were down together. “First blood” was

claimed by each party, but was decided by the referee

to be a drawn event.

2.――Both bleeding from the left eye, Sayers appearing

to have the worst of it. He was undaunted, smiled, led

off with his left, catching Martin on the right cheek.

Martin again went in, and commenced pegging away with

both hands. Sayers was with him, hitting with most

precision, and the round ended in both again falling

together.

3.――Sayers commenced the ball, caught Martin a spank on

the right cheek, received slightly on the body, and

then catching Martin full with his left on the nose,

sent him to grass, a clean “knock-down blow,” and thus

won the second event.

4.――Martin came up bleeding from the nose, but with a

smile of confidence. Sayers led off, but Martin jumped

cleverly back. He then stepped in, caught Sayers on the

damaged optic, drawing more of the ruby. Heavy

exchanges followed; Martin delivered his right heavily

on the ribs, Sayers returning with effect on the nose.

A close at the rope followed, and both were quickly

down.

5.――Martin attempted to take the lead, but was neatly

stopped; he then swung round his right at the body, and

immediately closed for the fall. Sayers, instead of

struggling, fibbed away at Martin’s head until Martin

forced him down.

6.――Sayers led off on the nose with his left; Martin

countered on the side of the head. A tremendous rally

followed, the hits on both sides succeeding each other

with great quickness. Each caught it on the side of the

head, but the blows of Sayers, from his superior reach,

told with most force. In the end both were down.

7.――Martin led off, was well stopped, and received a

nasty one on the nose; he then closed, but Sayers

refused to struggle with him, and got down, Martin

following suit.

8.――Sayers commenced by planting his left on Martin’s

nose with effect, and immediately repeating the dose.

Martin returned on the left eye heavily, enlarging the

old cut; and Sayers, in stepping away, slipped down.

9.――Martin showed a bump on each side of his nose from

the heavy blows in the last round. He tried to take the

lead, but was well stopped. Ditto repeated. After which

he bored in, Sayers catching him heavily on the left

cheek. Martin succeeded in reaching Sayers’ damaged

brow; good exchanges followed, Sayers getting, however,

on Martin’s right eye, and Martin on the ribs with his

right. Another tremendous rally followed, each getting

heavy pepper, Martin, however, having the worst of it,

and receiving on the mouth and left eye with great

severity. At last they got close together, and, after a

short struggle, Sayers eased himself down, and Martin

fell on him.

10.――Martin, on coming up, showed marks of the efficacy

of Sayers’ handiwork in the last round. His right eye,

which was previously “all serene,” was now completely

closed, and his right cheek much swollen, while Sayers

appeared little the worse for wear. Sayers led off, but

was short; Martin then made an attempt, but failed in

like manner. Counter-hits followed; Sayers again

reached the right ogle of his adversary, who took all

in good-humour, and still smiled with one side of his

face. He now dashed in, and more exchanges took place,

Martin succeeded in inflicting a cut over Sayers’ right

eye, which had been hitherto unscathed. At length,

after some sharp in-fighting in favour of Sayers,

Martin slipped down on one knee. Sayers, who might have

hit him, laughed and walked away, amidst cries of

“Bravo” from both sides.

11.――Sayers led off with his left, reaching the side of

Martin’s nose. A rattling rally followed, at the end of

which Sayers threw his man, and fell heavily on him.

12.――Martin came up bleeding at all points, but still

the same good-humoured fellow as ever. Sayers led off

short, ditto Martin; Sayers in on the ribs with his

left. Counter-hits, Sayers on the nose, and Martin on

the cheek, drawing more of the ruby fluid. A close

followed, and some more heavy infighting, after which,

Martin contrived to swing Sayers over.

13.――Sayers on coming up was bleeding rapidly from a

severe cut on his left hand, evidently inflicted

against Martin’s teeth. The men quickly got to it,

counter-hits were exchanged, Martin on the ribs, and

Sayers on the right cheek, followed up by two spanks,

left and right, on the nose and mouth. More heavy

pounding in favour of Sayers, who hit at points, while

Martin hit round, and principally at the body. At

length they closed, and both were down, side by side,

each looking at his adversary and smiling.

14.――Martin led off with his left, but was out of

distance. Sayers, with great quickness, let go his

left, and reached his opponent’s mouth. Martin merely

grinned at the visitation, bored in, but only to

receive another severe prop on the right eye and a

spank on the nasal organ. Still he was determined, and

again went at his man, who, in getting away, slipped

down.

15.――Martin’s phisog in anything but picturesque

condition, his right cheek much swollen and bleeding,

and his mouth completely out of kissing condition.

After a few passes, slight counter-hits were exchanged,

Martin getting home on the body, and Sayers on the left

cheek. Martin, not to be stalled off, rushed in and

delivered a heavy round hit on the ribs with his right;

Sayers was with him, and visited his damaged smeller

with severity. This led to another good rattling rally,

in which Sayers inflicted more heavy punishment on poor

Martin’s nose and right eye, while Martin only

succeeded in delivering some sounding punches on his

ribs. They broke away, again got at it ding-dong, and

finally, in the close both were down. Martin apparently

as strong on his legs as his opponent.

16.――Good counter-hits with the left, each catching the

other on the mazzard. Sayers now stopped one or two

attempts on the part of his adversary very neatly, and

returned heavily on the nozzle. An attempt to repeat

the dose was unsuccessful, Martin quickly jumping back.

Martin came again, and swung round his left on the

ribs, but napped it again on the nose for his

imprudence. More mutual punching in favour of Sayers

followed, but still Martin’s deliveries were

occasionally severe. A close, in which both fibbed away

hammer-and-tongs. Sayers reaching Martin’s remaining

optic, but not with sufficient force to put up the

shutter, and Martin drew more claret from his

opponent’s left ogle. A break away, and at it again,

until Martin slipped down on one knee; Sayers again

walking away smiling. This round, which was one of the

best fighting rounds we have seen for many a day,

elicited universal applause.

17.――Martin came up piping, and rather slow, but still

smiling, as well as his damaged phiz would allow. He

endeavoured to lead off, but was easily stopped. In a

second attempt he reached Tom’s left cheek, but Sayers

countered him on the left eye heavily, his superior

reach giving him the advantage. Martin, not to be

cowed, popped in a heavy right-hander on the ribs;

received again on his left eye, and, in retreating,

slipped down.

18.――Sayers let fly his left, but was short; both

appeared fatigued from the quickness with which they

had worked, and sparred a few seconds for wind. Sayers

at length again led off, and caught Martin on the left

eye, Martin returning on the same suit with

considerable quickness. Both were now short in their

deliveries. Martin at length bored in and reached Tom’s

ribs with his right. Sayers returned on the right

cheek, and both slipped down.

19.――Sayers again out of distance. He soon crept

closer, however, sent out his left, was neatly stopped,

and cleverly got away from Martin’s return. Martin

followed him up, caught him on the left cheek, and then

on the body, receiving a nasty one in return on the

left eye. In the close which followed he succeeded in

throwing Sayers heavily, amidst the cheers of his

friends, who did not think he had so much strength in

him.

20.――Sayers led off, caught Martin on the mouth, was

unsuccessful in a second attempt, and then caught a

heavy right-hander on the ribs. Martin sent out his

left and was stopped, Sayers returning with effect on

the right eye, and then on the left, from which he drew

more claret. Martin, whose head was much swollen, again

planted a rib bender, closed, and after a short

struggle both were down.

21.――Martin took the lead, but Sayers jumped away

laughing; Martin returned the grin, and again sent out

his left, which was easily stopped. Sayers once more

reached his adversary’s blind side, and Martin slipped

down weak.

22.――Any odds on Sayers, who was as fresh as possible.

Martin made an effort to turn the tables, but was

stopped several times; he at length reached Tom’s ribs,

and the latter stepping back, steadied himself, waited

for Martin’s rush, and then sent out his left with

terrific force, caught poor Martin on the right jaw,

and the latter tumbled over on his face apparently out

of time. It was thought all over, and the poor fellow

was carried to his corner, but when time was called, to

the surprise of all he came up for round

23, and last.――He was evidently all abroad, and

staggered about the ring. Sayers went up to him,

delivered his left on the right cheek, and following

this with a right-hander on the nose, down went Martin

for the last time, and Sayers was proclaimed the winner

after fighting 55 _minutes_. Sayers, although severely

handled about the mug, was still fresh on his pins;

both his eyes were fully open, and it was evident that,

had it been necessary, he was good for many more

rounds. Martin, on being conveyed to his corner, was

laid upon the ground, and every effort made to restore

consciousness, but it was fully five minutes before he

could be made to understand what had happened. As soon

as possible he was conveyed on board the steamboat, and

made as comfortable as could be expected under the

circumstances.

REMARKS.――A few more such battles as that we have just

recorded would go far to restore the fallen fortunes of

the Prize Ring. It was, in truth, as we have styled it

above, a mill of the old school. More punishment was

inflicted in 55 minutes than we have seen in two hours

in any encounter during the last few years. There was

not a single appeal to the referee, nor was there a

single action on the part of either man throughout the

fight at which the greatest stickler for fair play

could take exception. Both had evidently made up their

minds to a fair and manly struggle for victory, and

their friends ably supported them in their laudable

resolution, by rigidly abstaining from any

interference. In fact, the only thing at which we felt

inclined to cavil was the manner in which Jerry Noon

seconded the losing man. A good second always remains

quiet until the round is over, then picks his man up,

carries him to his corner, and cleans him as tenderly

as possible. Roughness, or interference during the

round, only tends to confuse a man’s ideas and lead him

into jeopardy. As to the merits of the men, there

cannot be two opinions. Martin was clearly overmatched.

He was opposed to a taller, longer and stronger man,

one, moreover, possessing greater knowledge of the art

of self-defence than himself. That he (Martin) is a

game, resolute fellow no one will deny. A greater

glutton we have seldom seen. He is, also, an

exceedingly fair fighter, scorning to take the least

advantage, and is possessed of that greatest of all

requisites to a boxer――unwavering good-temper. The

terms of praise in which he was mentioned by all

clearly showed that his conduct was appreciated as it

deserved to be. Of Tom Sayers, and his manly,

good-tempered style of fighting, we have before spoken

in the highest terms, and it is only necessary for us

to state that his conduct was as upright and his

tactics were as fair as ever. He, on several occasions,

refrained from punishing his adversary when he was down

on one knee only――a position in which he was perfectly

entitled to strike him, and one in which he might have

administered pepper with effect. He used his left hand

with greater precision than in his battle with Grant,

and his deliveries appeared altogether heavier than in

that encounter. As we have before observed, the ring

was exceedingly well kept throughout, and all had an

uninterrupted view of the encounter from its

commencement to its conclusion. As soon as possible

after the event was decided, the crowd that had

assembled took its departure――some returning by the

boat, while others, who did not fancy a return trip up

the river in the dark against an ebb-tide, struck

across the marshes to Dartford, and thus reached town

at seven o’clock by the North Kent Railway. Among the

latter was our eccentric friend, Bendigo, who quite put

out the pipe of the milling orator and poet, Charley

Mallett, as, while waiting at the station, he composed

and sung a long extempore poem, descriptive of the

day’s sport, and laudatory of the heroes and of

himself, which elicited uncontrollable laughter and

applause from his Corinthian auditors, and sent all

back to the Metropolis in perfect good humour, caused

as much by the ready wit and “hanky-panky” performances

of that eccentric individual, as by the extraordinary

treat they had enjoyed on the field of battle.

The year 1853 was not to expire without witnessing the first and last

defeat of the gallant Tom.

Nathaniel Langham, for many years known as “mine host” of the “Mitre,”

in St. Martin’s Lane, Leicester Square, whose biography illustrates a

former portion of this volume, was, as the reader is already aware, of

that unlucky weight, 11st., which is so difficult to match when

accompanied by first-class pugilistic capabilities. Too heavy for the

light men, whose average lies between 9st. and 9st. 10lbs., and too

light for real “big-uns,” provided they possess skill and pluck, men

of this size can find fair competitors only among men of their own

weight and inches. Nat’s earlier combats, therefore, as we have

already seen, were with heavy men; and his only defeat had been by

Harry Orme, his superior by more than half a stone, under

circumstances fully detailed at page 244 of this volume. Two years had

elapsed since Nat’s defeat, and public talk had prophesied in fistic

circles of “the coming man” in the person of the conqueror of Jack

Grant. “Ould Nat,” who seemed for the moment laid on the shelf,

pricked up his ears when he heard that Tom, whose motto was

“Excelsior,” was ready to make a match with the “Champion of the

Middle-weights.” Nat picked up the gauntlet, and all was soon

arranged. At Lakenheath, Suffolk, on the 18th October, 1853, they met,

with the result already recorded.

Defeated, but not disgraced, Tom lost no time in challenging Langham

to a second trial; but the latter, for good and sufficient reasons,

which we have fully set forth in our memoir of that boxer (_ante_ p.

251), declined the invitation.

Sayers was, therefore, on the look-out for a new competitor, and

although Tom “proposed” to several of the provincial “ten stunners”

and upwards, none listened to his suit.

One evening, after some “chaff,” George Sims, a long-limbed professor

of the art, immensely fancied by some of the “locals,” threw down the

gauntlet to Tom, professing regret that £25 was all he could raise for

the experiment, and that Tom could easily post £50. Finding that the

professor was serious and “meant business,” Sayers, who declared

himself “blue mouldy for want of a bating,” accepted the chance, as he

said, “to keep his hand in.”

The day fixed was the 2nd of February, 1854, and on a miserably foggy

morning the principals and their friends took steamer to Long Reach,

below Gravesend, and soon were face to face, near the river wall.

Sayers, who weighed 10st 6lbs., looked remarkably well. Sims, who

stood over him, was 5 feet 10 inches, and said to be under 11st. We

doubt if he were so light, despite his leanness. Sims was waited upon

by Jemmy Welsh and Harry Orme, so that he had talent behind him;

Sayers had Jemmy Massey and Bob Fuller as counsel. 7 to 4 and 2 to 1

on Sayers.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.――Sims was so much taller than Sayers that he

seemed quite a lath before him, and, as soon as he held

up his hands, displayed such awkwardness that it was

evidently “sovereigns to sassingers” on Sayers, and Dan

Dismore immediately offered 4 to 1 on him, which was

taken by Jem Burn on the off chance. Sims, after a

little unartistic squaring, lunged out awkwardly, and

caught Tom on the chest with his left. Tom, who was

evidently waiting to find out what his adversary could

do, returned smartly on the mouth, and in getting back

fell on his corybungus.

2.――Tom grinned, dodged his man, and, on the latter

wildly sending out his left, countered him on the

nozzle heavily. Sims immediately closed, and Tom,

seizing him round the neck, pegged away with his right

at the ribs and left eye until both fell.

3.――Sims led off, evidently without any settled plan;

he caught Tom slightly on the mouth, and the latter

again countered him heavily on the nose, deciding the

first event in his favour by producing an excellent

supply of the best crimson dye. Sims did not like this,

and again closed, when Tom fibbed him heavily on the

proboscis, drawing more of the ruby, and then on the

left eye, and both again fell.

4th and last.――Sims on coming up looked much flushed;

his left ogle winked again as if it saw so many bright

stars as to be perfectly dazzled. He attempted to lead

off, but was countered with the greatest ease by Tom on

the left eye and mouth. He retreated as if bothered,

and then went in again, when Tom let go both hands, the

left on the smeller, and the right with terrific effect

over the left brow, inflicting a deep cut, and drawing

a copious supply of the best double-distilled. Sims was

evidently stunned by the hit; for, as Sayers caught

hold of him, he fell back and rolled over him. It was

at once perceptible that it was all over; poor Sims lay

perfectly insensible and motionless. His seconds did

their best to stop the leak in his _os frontis_, but

for some time without effect; and, as for rendering him

capable of hearing the call of “Time,” that was quite

out of the question, and Tom Sayers, to his own

astonishment and the disappointment of those who had

expected a rattling mill, was declared the conqueror,

after a skirmish of exactly five minutes. Sayers was so

bewildered that he could not make it out; he evidently

did not know he had made so decided a hit, and

displayed considerable anxiety to ascertain the fate of

his less fortunate opponent. A medical gentleman was

present, who soon did the needful for the poor fellow,

and in about five minutes more he was himself again,

and was able to walk about. He was quite dumbfounded as

to the result, and expressed a strong wish to be thrown

into the river; but, after some persuasion from his

friends, became more calm, and thought it better “to

live to fight another day.”

REMARKS.――A few words are all that are called for in

the shape of remarks on this mill. Sims was from the

first overmatched. He is a civil, well-behaved,

courageous fellow, ridiculously over estimated by his

friends. Tom Sayers and his tactics are too well known

to require comment. He did all that was required of

him, and left the ring without a scratch. We never saw

him in better fettle; and if he ever had a day on which

he was better than he ever had been before, that day

was Tuesday. An easier job never fell to man’s lot; and

the best wish that his friends can express is, that he

may never have a worse.

This brief episode left Sayers literally without a chance of

continuing the main story of his battles, of which this could be

hardly reckoned more than “_un affaire_,” as French _militaires_ would

call it. Tom looked round and round, he sparred, and challenged, and

travelled, but he was not fancied as a customer by either Londoners or

provincials. He was too good a horse, and handicapping him was not so

easy. There was much “talkee, talkee” about a match between himself

and Tom Paddock, then claiming the Championship, and a proposal for

Paddock to stake £200 to Tom Sayers’s £100, Paddock weighing 12st.

8lbs. to Tom’s 10st. 1lbs., or thereabouts. It came to nothing,

however; and Tom, in despair, announced his intention of going to

Australia.

Harry Poulson, of Nottingham, whose three tremendous battles with

Paddock, in the first of which he was victorious, though defeated in

the second and third encounters, had raised his fame deservedly, was

now talked of, and Tom was induced to match himself against him. Here,

again, Sayers was giving away “lumps of weight;” for Poulson, though

an inch shorter than Sayers (namely, 5ft 7½in.) was a perfect Hercules

in the torso, weighing 12st. 7lbs. in hard condition. He had thrashed,

in provincial battles, all comers, and was known as one of the

coolest, most determined, and game fellows that ever pulled off a

shirt. True, he had come into the London Ring rather late in life,

having been born in 1817, but his endurance and strength were

considered an overmatch for Sayers. So, too, thought Jem Burn, a

staunch friend of Poulson, and he proposed to stake £50 on his behalf.

Sayers accepted it, and Bendigo, who was Poulson’s friend and adviser,

snapped at what he declared to be “a gift” for his townsman Harry.

Many of Tom’s friends were displeased with the match, which they

considered presumptuous on his part, and declared that he was

completely overmatched, as it was known Poulson could not fight under

12st., and Sayers to be well ought to be more than a stone under that

amount. At first he had some difficulty in finding supporters, but

that was happily got over by the influence of one of the staunchest

Corinthian fanciers of modern times. After he was matched, Sayers

remained longer in town than was prudent, and, as a natural

consequence, was too much hurried in his preparations. He was not

quite a month at country quarters, and on arriving in London looked

fleshy, and had evidently done insufficient work. Had he been about

five pounds lighter he would have been all the better. He was,

nevertheless, extremely sanguine of success, and assured his backers

that he would fully justify the confidence they had placed in him. We

saw Tom at Nat Langham’s, the “Cambrian,” on the Monday evening. He

was surrounded by an extensive circle of the upper-crust supporters of

the P.R. His weight was about 10st. 12lbs. or 13lbs.

Poulson, after his last defeat by Paddock, had remained at Nottingham,

where he followed his laborious occupation as a navvy until informed

of the proposed match, in which, as already stated, he was taken in

hand by Jem Burn. That facetious worthy, determined that no pains

should be spared, summoned Bendigo to his assistance, and under the

able tutelage of that eccentric but painstaking ex-champion did Harry

get himself into very first-rate trim. Every muscle in his powerful

frame was beautifully developed, and there did not seem to be an ounce

of superfluous meat in any place. As the men were not tied to weight,

no scaling took place at the last moment on which dependence could be

placed. He was certainly not less than 12st., and might have been a

pound or so more. His height 5ft. 7½in., and in figure and general

appearance, although shorter and thicker set, marvellously like “the

renowned” Bendigo. On the Monday before the battle Poulson took up his

quarters under the hospitable roof of “My Nevvy,” at the “Rising Sun,”

where he was greeted by an admiring circle, including many patricians.

He retired to his “flea pasture” at an early hour; but the eccentric

Bendy kept the company at the “Rising Sun” in a perpetual grin until

the approach of the small hours reminded him that he, too, had work to

do early in the morning, upon which he retired to roost, as did the

host himself, who, although suffering from gout, had made up his mind

to be present. The betting, at both Jem’s and Nat’s, varied between 6

and 7 to 4 on Poulson――odds which the superior strength, weight, and

condition of the countryman fully justified. The betting was tolerably

brisk, but there were more layers of odds than takers.

By six o’clock in the morning all the Fancy were astir, and great was

the difficulty in getting cabs. A hard frost had set in, and most of

the vehicles were detained at home to get the horses “roughed.”

Several, owing to this unforeseen occurrence, were unable to catch the

train at eight o’clock; and, had it not been for the opportune arrival

of the drag of an old friend, Sayers would, in all probability, have

been left behind. As it was, he cut it so fine that he only arrived as

the station-doors were closed. The journey down was performed by

eleven o’clock, and within half an hour the ring was ready at

Appledore. The men lost no time in entering its precincts, Poulson

attended by Bob Fuller and Bendigo, and Sayers receiving the friendly

assistance of Nat Langham and Jemmy Massey. Umpires and a referee were

soon appointed, and at six minutes to twelve the men toed the scratch.

The betting now was tolerably brisk at 7 to 4 on Poulson――odds which,

at one period of the fight, advanced to 3 to 1, which was laid by Tom

Paddock, whose confidence in his old opponent’s tried game and

resolution tempted him to overstep the bounds of prudence in his

investments.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.――The disparity in weight was very perceptible,

as was also the superior condition of Poulson. Sayers,

however, had the advantage in height and length.

Poulson threw himself into the old-fashioned attitude,

with both hands held somewhat high, and planted firmly

on both pins. Sayers, on the contrary, assumed an

elegant position, resting most upon his left foot, his

right arm across the mark, and the left well down. He

fiddled a little, until Poulson went in and let go his

left and right. The former was stopped; but with the

latter he got home on Tom’s nut. A sharp rally

instantly took place, which brought them to close

quarters, in which Sayers fibbed his man very cleverly,

catching him heavily on the conk, and in the end both

were down, Poulson under.

2.――Both were flushed from the rapid in-fighting in the

last round, which had evidently been severe. Poulson

tried to lead off, but was too slow for his active

opponent. He persevered, and at last got home with his

right over Tom’s left ear. This led to more heavy

exchanges and a close, in which Poulson caught Sayers

round the neck. Sayers hit up, but without doing any

damage, and in the end was down, Poulson on him.

3.――Sayers came up smiling but cautious. He fiddled his

man until he got within distance, when he lunged out

his left on the right brow, but too high for mischief.

Poulson returned heavily on the ribs with his right,

when Tom retreated. Poulson followed him again, let go

his left and right, was beautifully countered, but

again too high and on the side of the nut, and Poulson

slipped down.

4.――Sayers feinted and let go his left on the nose, but

not heavily. Poulson was wild and missed his return,

whereupon Sayers put in his left very neatly on the

right cheek. Poulson now went in ding-dong, but his

blows wanted precision. He got close, when Sayers

caught him on the right peeper and the right lug, from

each of which there was a tinge of blood. Tom then

closed and threw his man very neatly, falling on him.

(“First blood” for Sayers.)

5.――Sayers again feinted to draw his man, who came in,

and Sayers sent his left over his shoulder. Poulson

then closed, threw, and fell on him.

6.――Tom, after one or two feints and dodges, again let

fly his left, but was well stopped. Poulson, however,

missed his return with the right at the body. He now

rushed in determined, and some tremendous punching,

left and right, ensued, in which Sayers hit straighter

and oftener, but Poulson heavier with his right, which

paid some heavy visits to Tom’s nut.

7.――Sayers again feinted and succeeded in drawing his

man, who let go both hands, but out of distance. Sayers

with quickness returned on the forehead, but was too

high. Heavy counter-hits followed to a close, in which

the fibbing was severe, Sayers receiving on the left

side of his head and returning on the mouth.

8.――Both, much flushed on the dial, came up laughing.

Poulson lunged out his right, catching Tom heavily on

the ribs and then on the cheek, Tom instantly closed,

and, after a sharp struggle, in which it was thought

Poulson had the best of it, Sayers cleverly back-heeled

him, throwing him heavily and falling on him.

9.――Poulson tried again to deliver his right on the

ribs, but Sayers was well away. Harry rushed after him,

slinging out both hands, when Tom ducked and escaped.

Poulson persevered, and at last caught him with his

right on the ribs, when some more severe in-fighting in

favour of Poulson took place. In the end both were

down.

10.――On coming up Tom’s nose showed that Harry had been

there in the last round; his ribs, also, were

unmistakably bruised. He feinted to draw his adversary,

and let go his left, which was stopped, and Poulson

returned on the ribs. Sayers, with great quickness,

countered him as he delivered this blow, and sent him

to grass by a sharp left-hander on the right temple.

(“First knock-down blow” for Sayers.)

11.――Poulson came up slow, as if posed by the blow in

the last round. Sayers dodged with his left, and popped

it over Harry’s right peeper, getting quickly away from

the return. Poulson followed him up, but missed his

right; he persevered until they got to close quarters,

when Sayers again knocked him down by a heavy

right-hander on the jaw. (Loud cheers for Sayers, the

Poulsonites looking blue.)

12.――Tom came up smiling and all alive, dodged, and put

in his left very straight on Harry’s nasal promontory.

Poulson instantly rushed in, but napped it on the right

side of his nut and slipped down.

13.――Poulson, who had been called on to fight with his

left, waited for Sayers, and, on the latter coming

near, caught him heavily with that hand on the

proboscis, staggering him. Tom soon came again, and

retaliated by a heavy delivery on the mouth with his

left. After some mutual sparring, Harry was short with

his left, and Tom countered him with the right on the

left peeper, and then with the left bang on the

olfactory organ. Some sharp exchanges ensued, in which

Poulson drew the ruby from Tom’s snout, and Tom slipped

down.

14.――Both got quickly to work. No stopping; and, after

one or two harmless cracks, Sayers got down.

15.――Poulson again attempted to fight with his left;

but Sayers was too quick for him, and nailed him on the

right cheek. Harry tried it again, but was stopped; and

Sayers then let drive with his left on the

smelling-bottle very heavily; he retreated, feinted,

and, by putting the double on, succeeded in delivering

another smack on the same organ. Some very heavy

exchanges followed, in which Sayers got home on the

right eye and Harry on the sneezer; Sayers slipped

down.

16.――Tom came up filtering the juice from his beak.

Poulson tried to plant his favourite right, but was

stopped. He then tried his left, but was out of

distance. After several more wild efforts, Sayers

caught him with his left heavily on the right cheek,

and retreated. Poulson followed him to the corner and

let go his left and right, when Sayers countered him on

the cheek. Poulson retaliated on the mouth very

heavily, and Tom slipped down.

17.――Tom was now bleeding from the mouth and nose. He

was as steady as ever, and planted his left on the side

of the head. This led to some sharp in-fighting,

without material damage, and in the end Sayers slipped

down, tired.

18.――Poulson bored in, let go his left, which was

stopped, and Sayers was out of distance with his

return. The same thing was repeated on both sides; but,

on their getting closer, some good counter-hits were

exchanged, Poulson getting it on the jaw and Tom on the

damaged nose. Tom retreated, followed by Harry, who let

go both hands, but was prettily popped on the nozzle.

Some more sharp exchanges followed, Tom getting it

heavily on the left eye, and in the end Tom was down.

19.――Tom’s left peeper showed signs of closing.

Poulson, seeing this, bored in, but was propped on the

forehead and cheek. He persevered, when Tom succeeded

in planting a very straight nose-ender, which removed

the bark from Harry’s proboscis. The force of his own

blow staggered Tom, who slipped down.

20.――The gnomon of Harry’s dial was by no means set

straight by these visitations. He tried his dangerous

right at the body, but missed. Sayers nailed him again

on the snout, and got down.

21.――Tom again put in his favourite double on Harry’s

_os frontis_ and nose, and, on receiving Poulson’s

right on the ribs, fell.

22.――Harry, in his usual style, lunged out his right at

the body, but was short; Tom returning on the right

peeper, and getting cleverly away. Poulson followed him

up, and, after innocuous exchanges, Sayers went down.

23.――Poulson again led off, but was propped neatly on

the forehead and nose. This led to sharp

counter-hitting in favour of Poulson, and Sayers was

again down.

24.――Tom tried his double and got home his left on the

frontal bone, to the detriment of his knuckles, and

again too high to be effective. Poulson pegged away at

the ribs and the side of his head very heavily, the

latter blow knocking Tom off his pins.

25.――Tom seemed much fatigued; he nevertheless led off,

but without effect. Poulson tried to return, when Tom

met him on the nose with his left, and then on the

forehead. Poulson once more reached Tom’s nose with his

right, and Tom was down.

26.――Harry tried his left, and succeeded in reaching

Tom’s right peeper, but not heavily. Tom returned on

the forehead, and then delivered his left on the snout.

He retreated to draw his man, and as he came caught him

a tremendous spank on the potato-trap with his right,

but in retreating caught his foot against the stake and

fell.

27.――Harry’s mouth much swollen from the hit in the

last round. He rushed in, when Tom caught him on the

nasal organ heavily with his left, and got away.

Poulson now tried his left, but was short; and Sayers

caught him once more on the lips, renewing the supply

of carmine. Poulson rushed after him, and Tom in

getting away again caught against the stake and fell

heavily.

28.――Tom smiling, dodged and popped in his left on the

mouth, and then on the nose with great quickness,

drawing more gravy. Poulson rushed after him, but

missed his right; some slogging punches followed on

both sides to a close, in which both fell, Sayers

under.

29.――They immediately closed, and after some sharp

fibbing, in which Sayers was the quicker and

straighter, both were again down. One hour had now

elapsed.

30.――Tom led off, and again reached Harry’s nose. It

was a long shot, and not heavy. Poulson missed his

return, whereupon Sayers planted his left twice in

succession on the nose, and, after receiving a little

one on the chest, slipped down.

31.――Poulson led off with his left, but was stopped,

and Sayers was short in his return. Harry then missed

his right on the ribs, and napped a hot one on the

kisser from Tom’s left. This visitation Tom repeated,

and then got on Harry’s nose. Harry rushed at him, and

Tom slipped down, the ground being in a dreadful state.

32.――Sayers feinted and again got well on the mug and

nose with his left, and Harry was short with his

return. Tom drew him, and as he came got home on the

right eye. Harry now reached his left cheek heavily,

and Tom got down.

33.――Tom planted his left slightly on the dexter ogle,

and then in the mazzard, getting cleverly away from the

return. Poulson followed him up and delivered another

terrific smack with his right on the nose, drawing a

fresh supply of the sap. A close followed, in which Tom

slipped down, bleeding from his proboscis.

34.――Poulson tried both mauleys, but was short. He then

rushed in again, missed, and Tom, in getting back,

fell. He was evidently weak, and it was now that

Paddock laid 3 to 1, thinking, no doubt, that Poulson,

who from his fine condition showed scarcely a mark,

would tire him out.

35.――Poulson went to work, missed his left, but caught

Tom with his right on the larboard cheek, which was

much swollen, and in the close which followed Tom was

down.

36.――Tom led off with his left on the nose, but not

heavily. Harry returned on the nose and the side of his

head, and Tom slipped down.

37.――Harry let go, and planted his right on the nose.

Exchanges followed in favour of Poulson, and Sayers got

down.

38.――Tom collected himself, waited for his man, and

nailed him twice in succession on the right eye. Slight

exchanges followed, and they fell opposite to one

another on their knees, the ground being more slippery

than ever, and their spikes almost useless.

39.――Tom dodged, put in his left and right on Harry’s

optics; the latter then went to work, and some heavy

exchanges ensued in favour of Poulson who nailed Tom

with effect on the left eye, and Tom fell. His left eye

was nearly closed.

40.――Tom still took the lead, caught Harry on the

snuffbox heavily, and in retreating slipped down.

41.――Tom busy with the left on the right eye, and then

on the mouth. Poulson returned heavily on the left

goggle, and then bored Tom down through the ropes, his

left daylight being quite extinguished.

42.――Sayers tried his left on the mouth, but was

stopped, and Poulson dashed in, nailed him with the

right on the mouth, closed, and fibbed him until Tom

was down.

43.――Tom, although evidently tired, came up smiling,

feinted, and let go his left on the right cheek.

Poulson dashed in, when Tom met him heavily over the

left eyebrow. Poulson still followed him as he

retreated, and Tom nailed him on the nose. In the end

Tom got down in his corner.

44.――Tom “put his double on,” but it wanted steam.

Poulson then bored in, closed at the ropes, and, after

a short struggle, both were down.

45.――On getting close, some heavy counter-hitting took

place, Tom getting on to the right peeper, and Poulson

on the mouth, renewing the supply of crimson. Tom

retreated, came again and caught his man on the temple,

and then on the mouth. Poulson returned on the latter

organ and ribs with his right.

46.――The left side of Tom’s nut was much swollen, and

his nose all shapes but the right. He came up

undaunted, let go his left well on the right ogle,

which at last began to show signs of a shut-up. Tom

retreated, followed by Poulson, and as the latter let

go his right, Tom countered him bang on the right eye.

Poulson returned slightly on the nose.

47.――Sayers once more tried his double with effect, and

got on the right eye. Poulson rushed after him, when

Tom slipped down in rather a questionable manner, but

there was no appeal.

48.――Tom crept in and popped his left on the nose. A

close followed, in which Tom got down on the saving

suit.

49.――Poulson tried to take the lead, but was too slow

for the nimble Tom, who got quickly away. Harry

persevered, and got well on the ribs twice in

succession very heavily.

50.――Tom evidently felt the effects of the visitations

to the ribs, for his left arm certainly did not come up

with the same freedom as before. Poulson went in,

delivered another rib-bender, and Tom got down.

51.――Harry tried to improve his advantage; but Sayers

propped him beautifully on the nose, received another

little one on the ribs, and dropped.

52.――Poulson once more swung out his right; but Tom got

away, and, as Harry followed, planted his left on the

smeller. Poulson then bored him down, and falling

himself, carefully avoided dropping on Sayers by

placing a knee on each side of him. This manly

forbearance on the part of Poulson elicited loud

applause on all sides, the more particularly as it was

not the first time during the fight.

53.――Poulson again let go his left and right, but Tom

was away, planting his left on the jaw as Harry came

after him. Poulson succeeded in delivering his right

slightly on the cheek, and Sayers got down.

54.――Poulson led off left and right, but was stopped,

and he, in turn, stopped Tom’s attempted deliveries.

Tom then made his left on the throat and mouth by one

of his clever doubles, and, after napping a little one

on the proboscis, dropped.

55.――Poulson popped his right on Tom’s damaged peeper,

and then on the jaw very heavily. Heavy exchanges

followed, each getting it on the side of the cranium,

and in the end Sayers was down.

56.――Tom feinted, put his double on the mouth and

throat, and, as Poulson followed him up, he took

advantage of a slight hit to go down.

57.――Poulson dashed his right on the left cheek, and

Tom was again down, evidently requiring rest.

58.――Harry got well on to Tom’s conk with his right,

and then with his left, and Tom dropped.

59.――Harry again led off, but the blow was of no

effect; he followed it by another on the nose, and a

third on the side of the head, and Tom went to earth.

60.――Harry made his left and right, but they were very

slight, and Tom got down.

61.――Sayers was now recovering his wind, and, waiting

for his man, countered him very straight on the right

eyebrow as he came in, inflicting a cut, and drawing

the carmine. Exchanges in favour of Sayers followed,

who again caught his man over the right peeper, and, in

the end, Tom got down, the Poulson party asking why he

did not stand up, and claiming a foul, which was not

allowed, there being no ground for it.

62.――Tom led off, but missed, and napped a heavy smack

on the whistler from Poulson’s left. On getting close,

a tremendous counter-hit with the right was exchanged,

Sayers getting it on the jaw, and Poulson on the right

eye, each knocking his adversary down.

63.――Both slow to time, the counter in the last round

having been a shaker for each. Poulson was bleeding

from the right ogle, and Tom from the mouth. Tom again

got on to Harry’s right eye, and, on getting a little

one on the mouth, once more fell.

64.――Tom, again very weak and tired, waited for his

man, caught him slightly on the left cheek, and slipped

down. Another claim that he went down without a blow

disallowed, the ground being very bad; the referee,

however, cautioned him to be careful.

65.――Tom tried his left, which was easily stopped, and

Poulson nailed him on the mouth. A close and fibbing

followed, when Tom, having all the worst of this game,

got down.

66.――Poulson led off with his right, which was stopped,

and Sayers missed his return; Poulson then caught him a

little one with his right on the side of his nut, and

Tom, glad of the excuse, got down.

67.――Harry tried his left, and succeeded in reaching

Tom’s right cheek. Heavy counter-hits followed, Poulson

on the nose, and Tom on the left cheek; and Tom, in

turning, after getting another crack on the side of his

occiput, dropped.

68.――Poulson dashed out his left, but Sayers got

cleverly away. He tried it again with the same result,

and on making a third essay, Tom countered him well off

on the right ogle. He then made his left twice on the

left eye, and, as Poulson rushed at him, got down. Two

hours had now passed, and the punishment was pretty

equally divided. Poulson’s right eye, like Tom’s left,

was completely closed, and each of their noses was much

out of shape. The right side of Tom’s face was

unscathed, but his ribs bore heavy marks of punishment.

Poulson had a mouse under his left eye, but was much

stronger on his legs than Sayers, and it was still

thought he must wear him out. Many also imagined that,

as Tom was getting slower, Poulson would knock him out

of time with his dangerous right.

69.――Tom tried to lead off with his left, but was

stopped twice in succession, and Poulson nailed him on

the snorer. Tom returned the compliment by a tidy smack

with his right on the mouth, drawing more of the

cochineal; slight exchanges followed, and Sayers got

down.

70.――Tom’s left was again stopped, and Harry was short

in his return. Tom then feinted and popped his double

on the nose and right cheek, which he cut slightly.

71.――Poulson let go his left, but did not get home. On

Sayers attempting to return, Harry popped him on the

nose, and Tom got down.

72.――Poulson’s left was stopped easily; he then tried a

one, two, and reached Tom’s mouth with his right; the

left, however, did not reach its destination (the

unscathed side of Tom’s phisog). In the end Tom got

down.

73.――Sayers stopped Poulson’s one, two, and then got

home on the right eye. Poulson returned on the chin.

Some rapid exchanges followed, Tom making both hands on

the mouth and left cheek, and Poulson getting in on

Tom’s nose. Poulson closed, when Tom caught him heavily

on the mouth, and Poulson got down.

74.――Tom put in a well-delivered left-hander on the

damaged peeper. Slight exchanges followed, and Tom got

down.

75.――Tom getting more lively every round, and Poulson’s

head at last beginning to swell. Tom let go his left on

the throat; good counter-hits followed, Poulson on the

mouth, and Tom on the side of the head. Poulson then

dashed in with his right on the ribs, leaving marks of

his knuckles. Tom retaliated on the right eye, and a

determined rally followed, in which each got pepper;

but Sayers was straighter in his deliveries. In the end

he was down. The Poulson party began now to look

serious; their man was gradually going blind of both

eyes, and Sayers appeared to be no weaker than he was

an hour ago, added to which he had still a good eye.

76.――Both came up piping from the effects of the last

round. Poulson tried his left twice, but Sayers got

away, and, as Harry came after him, met him well on the

mouth, and then on the right eye, and in the end both

fell side by side.

77.――Sayers came up smiling as well as his distorted

mug would allow; he dodged, and then got well over

Poulson’s guard on to his left eye. Harry instantly

returned on the chin, when Tom once more popped his

left on the mouth heavily, and got away. He played

round his man and at last sent home another left-hander

on the left eye――a cross hit. Poulson just reached his

jaw with his right, and Tom got down.

78.――Tom made play with his left on the right ogle, and

avoided the return. Poulson persevered, and at last Tom

got down in his corner.

79.――Poulson dashed in his right on the nose, but not

very heavily; Sayers returned on the right gazer, and

napped a heavy right-hander on the cheek, from the

effect of which he went down weak.

80.――Tom steadied himself, crept close, and popped his

left on the left eye. Poulson rushed at him, and heavy

counter-hits were exchanged on the jaw, both coming to

the ground side by side.

81.――Tom missed two attempts to deliver, and received

another heavy thwack on the bread-basket. Heavy

exchanges ensued in favour of Poulson, who was always

best at close quarters, and Sayers got down.

82.――Tom came up a little stronger, and let go his

left, but not heavily, on the right cheek. Poulson

tried a return, but Tom, who gradually retreated,

propped him as he came in, on the right eye and nose.

Poulson, determined if possible, to make a decided turn

in his favour, persevered, and some rattling ding-dong

fighting took place, each getting it heavily on the

dial, and in the end both were down.

83.――Both looked the worse for the last round, but

Poulson’s left eye was fast following suit with his

right, and it was evident to all that if Sayers kept

away it was a mere question of time. Sayers feinted,

put in his double very neatly on the mouth, and then

got a hot one on the left cheek. Good exchanges at

close quarters followed, in which Poulson’s visitations

to Tom’s snout were anything but agreeable, while Tom

was busy on the right eye. This was another ding-dong

round, and astonished every one after the men had

fought so long. In the end Sayers got down, and Poulson

fell on his knees at his side.

84.――Tom’s double was once more successful, and he got

well on Harry’s smeller. Poulson once more reached the

left side of the nut, just by the ear, and Tom fell.

85.――Poulson led off with his left, getting well on

Tom’s nose. Good counter-hits followed, Tom getting it

on the mouth, and Harry on the left eye. Poulson now

dashed in, but got one on the right eye; he, however,

nailed Tom on the right ear, drawing claret. Another

desperate rally followed, in which Jack was as good as

his master, and in the end Sayers got down. Two hours

and thirty minutes had now elapsed.

86.――Poulson dashed in, but Sayers stepped nimbly back,

propping him as he came on the left eye. Harry at last

made his right on the left ear, and Tom got down.

87.――Poulson again rushed in, but Sayers, after

propping him over the right eye, dropped. Another claim

of foul not allowed.

88.――Tom tried his left, but was short; Poulson then

rattled in, caught him on the left side of his

knowledge-box, and Tom dropped.

89.――Poulson, after being short with his one, two, made

his right on the ribs, and Tom fell.

90.――Poulson again hit out of distance; he persevered,

and eventually nailed Tom slightly on the nozzle, and

that hero wisely got down, by way of a rest, finding

that Harry was still dangerous at close quarters.

91.――Tom stopped Harry with great neatness, and then

planted his left on the throat; heavy exchanges

followed in favour of Poulson, who again reached Tom’s

left ear very severely, drawing more of the Burgundy,

and Tom fell very weak.

92.――Tom, who staggered up, received a heavy one from

Harry’s right on the brow, and got down.

93.――Neither very ready at the call of “Time,” but Tom

slowest; he nevertheless came up steady, and, as

Poulson rushed in, planted his left very heavily, first

on the right eye and then on the nose, and got away,

followed by Poulson, who forced the fighting. Heavy

exchanges followed, Harry on the ribs and Tom on the

forehead, and Tom down.

94.――Poulson for the first time got on to Tom’s right

eye, but not heavily; he then popped his right on the

ear, and also on the ribs very heavily, staggering Tom,

who evidently winced under the latter visitation. Tom,

however shook himself together, and some sharp

exchanges took place, which ended in Sayers dropping to

avoid a fall.

95.――Poulson’s right neatly stopped. He tried again

with a rush, but Tom cleverly ducked and got away.

Poulson followed him up, and napped a sharp reminder

over the right brow; Poulson returned on the chest, and

Tom got down.

96.――After some harmless exchanges, Sayers got down,

amidst the groans of the Nottingham party.

97.――Poulson was again neatly stopped, and Tom returned

heavily on the mouth, turning on the main once more.

Poulson made his right on the ribs, and then on the

left cheek, and, after one or two harmless passes, Tom

got down.

98.――Sayers put in his double on the throat, and

Poulson rushed to a close, and, after a brief struggle,

Sayers fell; Poulson again, and in the most manly way,

avoiding failing on him.

99.――Tom, evidently the best man, dodged, and put in

his left on the side of Poulson’s head; Harry wide of

the mark with his return. Tom came again, dodged him,

and whack went his left on the smelling-bottle. Slight

exchanges followed, and then Poulson, as Sayers was

retreating, caught him a heavy right-hander on the jaw

which knocked him down.

100.――The Poulsonians anxious for the call of “Time;”

but to their surprise Tom came up quite steady. He

dodged his man, popped in his double on the nose and

left peeper without a return, and then on the throat,

and in getting back fell.

101.――Poulson, nearly blind, dashed in with

determination, and heavy counter-hits were exchanged,

Tom getting well on the mouth and Harry on the nose,

and Sayers slipped down. Three hours had now elapsed.

102.――Sayers drew a fresh supply of the ruby from

Harry’s right cheek, and, in retreating, fell. Another

claim of foul.

103.――Poulson went in and made his right on the side of

Tom’s head. Tom retreated, advanced, making his usual

feint, but, on seeing Poulson coming at him, he tried

to get back, and, his legs slipping apart, he could not

get himself into a defensive position, and fell.

Another claim of foul was here made; but the referee,

who had not seen the round, owing to the interposition

of the bodies of the seconds and backers of Poulson,

pronounced “fair;” and in his decision we decidedly

concur, as, in our opinion, the fall on the part of

Sayers was entirely unpremeditated and accidental. It

was for some time before order was restored; and the

delay was of the greatest advantage to Sayers, while it

had an opposite effect on Poulson, whose left eye was

now all but closed.

104.――Tom came up gaily, dodged his man, who came

towards him, and then nailed him heavily on the

proboscis and left peeper. A close followed, and Sayers

got down.

105.――Slight exchanges, in which no damage was done,

and Sayers slipped down.

106.――Poulson dashed in to make a last effort, and

heavy counter-hits were exchanged. Sayers caught him on

the left eye, and received a heavy rib-bender and then

a crack on the left ear, whereupon he dropped.

107.――Sayers, bleeding from the left ear, came up

slowly and feinted in his usual style; caught Harry on

the right eye, and then on the mark. Poulson popped his

right heavily on the ribs, and another give-and-take

rally followed, at the end of which Sayers, who was

still weak on his legs, got down.

108.――Poulson’s face was now much swollen and there was

scarcely a glimmer from his left peeper. He was,

however, still strong as ever on his pins. He rushed

in, knowing he had no time to spare, and caught Tom

heavily with his right on the left ear. Exchanges

followed, Sayers being straightest. Poulson bored in,

and got home heavily with his right on the ribs, when

Tom delivered his left heavily on the jaw, and knocked

him down.

109, and last.――The last blow had evidently been a

settler for the gallant Poulson: he came up slowly and

all abroad. The game fellow tried once more to effect a

lodgement, but missed, his head came forward and Tom

delivered the _coup de grâce_ by a heavy right-hander

on the jaw, which again knocked the veteran off his

legs, and, on being taken up, he was found to be deaf

to the call of “Time.” He recovered in a few minutes,

and shed bitter tears of disappointment at the

unsatisfactory and unexpected termination of his

labours. Sayers walked to a public house adjoining the

field of battle, and of course was vociferously

congratulated by his friends and admirers upon his

triumphant success. Poulson was also conveyed to the

public-house, and, after taking some refreshment,

became himself. He was quite blind, and his mug

otherwise much battered, but beyond this had sustained

no serious injuries. Sayers complained a good deal of

the punishment about his body, and the repeated

visitations to the side of his head, but of course the

fact of his being the winner went far to allay the

physical suffering he endured. Both were enabled to

return to town in the same train with their friends,

and arrived at their respective houses about half-past

nine o’clock. The fight lasted three hours and eight

minutes.

REMARKS.――Owing to the minute details which we have

given of all the material incidents in this really

extraordinary battle, we may spare our readers the

trouble of reading many observations upon the

respective merits of the men, of which the account of

the different rounds will have enabled them to form as

correct an opinion as ourselves. Tom Sayers, by his

quickness on his legs, his steadiness and excellent

judgment, not only astonished his adversary and his

backers, but completely took his own friends by

surprise. He had evidently much improved, in every

possible way, since his defeat by Nat Langham. Great

fault was found with him for his too constant resort to

the dropping system; but for this he had every excuse.

He scarcely ever went down without having had a

bustling round, and once only during the battle did we

observe anything at which an impartial man would cavil.

This was at a period in the middle of the fight when he

was extremely weak, and at the time no appeal was made

by the friends of Poulson. It must be taken into

consideration that Tom was anything but himself, and

the ground was far from favourable for keeping on his

legs and getting out of the reach of his weighty and

powerful adversary. It has been urged that the ground

was as much against Poulson as Sayers; but this was

hardly so. Poulson is a steady ding-dong fighter, of

the squarest build, does not depend much on his

defensive tactics, and makes little use of his legs;

while Tom had to be continually jumping back, and, when

opposed to such superior weight, would of course find

proportionate difficulty in keeping on his pins.

Indeed, many times when he fell he came to the ground

with such a “thud” as must have shaken a good deal of

his strength out of him. We are aware that since the

match had been made many things had occurred to harass

Tom’s mind, and that he had pecuniary difficulties to

contend with which, we trust, will not exist in future

matches; and this, again, must be taken into

consideration. He does not want for friends, and, we

doubt not, with steadiness and good conduct, will find

himself on the high road to prosperity. Of Harry

Poulson’s gallantry and manliness we cannot say too

much. He fought from first to last in a game,

straightforward manner, with an evident determination

to do his best to win in a fair and honourable way. He

scorned to take advantage of many opportunities of

falling on his man, when he might have done so with

perfect fairness, and otherwise comported himself in a

manner as reflects the very highest credit upon his

character as a man, and a demonstrator of the noble art

of self-defence. Although evidently annoyed at being

unable to get home as he expected, he still never

allowed his temper to get the better of him; and often

when Tom, from his shifty tactics, evaded what had been

intended as a finisher, he stood and shook his head at

him, as much as to say it was too bad, but not once did

he allow a harsh or angry expression to escape him. He

is truly one of the gamest of the game; but he is too

slow, and depends too much on his right hand, to have

much chance of success against a really finished boxer.

We do not consider that his age had anything to do with

his defeat, for he is as fresh as most London boxers

who are ten years his juniors. His bravery and

universal good conduct cannot but secure him the

respect and support of all admirers of such good

qualities.

The conquest of Poulson was unquestionably the greatest achievement of

Sayers’s pugilistic career. He was now established as a man with whom

the men under 12 stone on the boxing list must not meddle; at any

rate, none other were likely to get backers against him.

From this period the name of Tom Sayers mixes itself with every

question of the belt and the Championship.

In the year 1855, a proposition was set on foot by a number of patrons

of the Ring, to raise, by subscription, a sum of money to purchase a

belt of greater intrinsic value than anything of the kind previously

presented, in lieu of the belt which had “gone astray” during the

squabbles between Bendigo, Caunt, and the Tipton Slasher. Lists were

opened, and before long a sum of nearly £100 was collected. To Mr.

Hancock, of New Bond Street, was entrusted the manufacture of the

trophy, and from that gentleman’s establishment was produced the

elegant badge of the highest fistic honours which Tom Sayers so well

and so worthily won. On the belt being ordered, the committee who

undertook its management issued the following as the conditions on

which it should be held: “That it should not be handed over to any

person claiming the Championship until he had proved his right to it

by a fight; that any pugilist having held it against all comers for

three years, without a defeat, should become its absolute possessor;

that the holder should be bound to meet every challenger of any weight

who should challenge him for the sum of £200 a side, within six months

after the issue of such challenge, within the three years; that he

should not be bound to fight for less than £200 a side; that at the

final deposit for every match within the three years the belt should

be delivered up to the committee until after the battle; and, finally,

that on the belt being given to the winner of any Champion-fight, he

should deposit such security as should be deemed necessary in the

hands of the committee to ensure the above regulations being carried

out.”

No sooner did it become known that the belt was ready for whosoever

could win it, than there was a general stirring up of the dormant

energies of the big men who had retired, or thought to be about to

retire, from the Ring. Harry Broome shook himself together; the Tipton

Slasher roused him from his lair; Tom Paddock’s hair stood on end

between hope and fear of disappointment; while Aaron Jones, who about

this time (1855) had fought the second of two tremendous battles with

Paddock, and, though defeated, had entirely removed any impressions as

to his want of pluck caused by his battles with Harry Orme, also

pricked up his ears, and issued a defiant grunt. The only man among

the recent combatants for Champion’s honours who made no sign was

Harry Orme, who was content to rest upon his well-earned reputation.

At first it was thought there would not be found a man sufficiently

venturous to tackle the “Ould Tipton,” but this was soon seen to be a

fallacy; for not one only, but each and every of the aspirants sent

out a defiance to the crooked-legged hero of the hardware districts.

The first cartel that reached him was that of Aaron Jones, and with

him preliminaries were at once arranged.

The challenges of Broome and Paddock arriving afterwards, the Slasher

informed them that they must wait the issue of the struggle with

Jones. Broome and Paddock seemed both disinclined to wait for this

event, and neither was desirous of postponing his claims to those of

his co-challenger, and, as a natural consequence, a good deal of

badinage took place between them, which ended in their being matched

for £200 a side, to ascertain which should have the preference. While

they were in training Aaron Jones was compelled to forfeit to the

Tipton Slasher, through meeting with an accident during his training;

so that there appeared a clear course for the winner.

The fight between Broome and Paddock took place on the 19th of May,

1856, and was won by Tom Paddock with ease in 51 rounds, and 63

minutes, it being at once apparent that, though Harry Broome had all

the will and the courage to do deeds of valour, the power had deserted

him, and he had become prematurely old and stale. (See page 294.)

Soon after Paddock’s defeat of Broome, Paddock obtained the acme of

his desires――viz., a match with his old opponent, the Slasher; but

when £80 a side had been staked Master Tom allowed his temper to get

the better of his judgment, and, having offended his best friends, had

to forfeit through a scarcity of “ochre.” This was not only a

disappointment to himself, but also to his opponent, who was thus

foiled in his efforts to get hold of the belt, which could not be

obtained without a mill, and which he had made sure of winning from

Tom Paddock. Just previous to this mishap Jones had recovered from his

accident, and, to the surprise of all, had been matched with the

“coming man,” Tom Sayers; so that even here the “Old’un” was again

done out of an opponent, and the belt still remained in abeyance, to

abide the issue between Sayers and Jones, the winner to meet the

ponderous Tipton for the coveted trophy. This fight, which took place

on the banks of the Medway, on the 19th February, 1857, we now propose

to narrate.

Owing to the puritanical persecution to which the Ring had been for

some time subjected, a line of country had to be selected which had

for a long time been untried, so that there was every prospect of

matters being adjusted in that quarter without let or hindrance.

Although bills were circulated, stating that a train would leave the

Great Northern Station at King’s Cross on Tuesday at nine o’clock, it

was at the eleventh hour considered that the locality would on the

present occasion be too “warm,” and therefore, an alteration was

deemed prudent. This alteration could not be made public at so late a

period, and it was only those who happened to consult the initiated at

the benefit of the Pugilistic Benevolent Association, on the previous

Monday evening, who got a due to the real state of the case. The

consequence was that on Tuesday morning, at the Fenchurch Street

Station, there were at the utmost 180 persons, including a

considerable number of patricians and a very small proportion of the

professors of the noble art, while of the “roughs” and other noisy

demonstrators there was an almost total absence. These gentry and some

few unfortunates of the higher class hastened to the Great Northern

terminus at the hour named in the handbills, and great was their

disappointment, and loud their indignation, at finding themselves

sold.

The start from Fenchurch Street took place at eight o’clock precisely,

and by nine o’clock Tilbury was reached, where all at once embarked in

a vessel provided for the purpose, and by twenty minutes to ten were

safely on board, and, greatly to the credit of the managers of the

expedition, a start was at once effected. In order to throw dust in

the eyes of the Blues, it was determined to proceed straight to the

mouth of the river; and, in the face of a stiff gale from E.N.E., the

journey to the Nore was effected in excellent style. The lumpy water

in this locality had, as may be imagined, a most unpleasant effect

upon many of the voyagers, whose stomachs, unaccustomed to salt water,

and anything but improved in tone by their nocturnal vigils (as they

had sat up all night in order to be early in the morning), were turned

inside out; and the consequence was that swabs and buckets of water

were in strong demand. After about an hour’s tossing among the

billows, “’bout ship” was the cry, the river was re-entered, and the

vessel sped homewards until a spot was reached not far from Canvey

Island, where Freeman and the Tipton Slasher fought. With some

difficulty a landing was effected, and Tom Oliver, Tom Callas, Puggy

White, &c., proceeded to form the lists, although it was not without

extraordinary exertions that anything like a favourable spot could be

found, and even this was rough and extremely uneven, from the late

heavy weather. Numerous were the mishaps of the company on landing,

but by no means equal to those they experienced on attempting to

regain the vessel after the battle was over, when thick darkness

overspread the land, and led many an unwary traveller into mud and

mire of the most consistent character. The ring was pitched by

half-past twelve o’clock, and a tolerable outer ring was established;

but, as usual when the attendance is small, the difficulty of

preserving this outer circle intact was very great, and towards the

close of the fight, notwithstanding the exertions of some of the

ring-keepers, the spectators crowded close to the ring, but,

fortunately, did not disturb the ropes and stakes.

The combatants, who had made a sort of demi-toilette on board the

steamer, quickly entered the ring, Sayers attended by Jemmy Welsh and

George Crockett, Jones advised by Alec Keene and Mike Madden. The

stake was £100 a side. The career of Tom’s youthful antagonist will be

found sketched at pages 253, 283, and 289 of this volume. Jones had

the advantage of Sayers in age by five years; his height 5 feet 11½

inches, and his weight 12st.

Jones, after his defeat by Orme, was on the shelf for a period of two

years. He then came out with a challenge to Tom Paddock, which was

accepted, and the men met July 18, 1854, at Long Reach, for £100 a

side, and, after as gallant a struggle as was ever witnessed, Jones

became blind, and his friends gave in for him, after fighting 121

rounds in two hours and twenty-four minutes. So satisfied were his

backers on this occasion that they at once expressed their willingness

to make a fresh match. After some little time articles were entered

into, and they went into training for the second mill. This affair

came off at Mildenhall on the 26th of June, 1855, and was another

display of manly courage and perseverance on both sides. Towards the

close Jones, who for some time had the best of it, fell off very weak,

and Paddock, who, like his opponent, was much punished and exhausted,

saw that his time was come, and, shaking himself together, he rattled

away in style until poor Aaron was once more compelled to cry “a go,”

after a contest of sixty-one rounds, in one hour and twenty-nine

minutes. Jones after this was matched with the Tipton Slasher, as we

have already stated, but this went off; and this brings us to the

present meeting.

On entering the ring both men were loudly cheered, and both looked

equally confident. No sooner had they put in an appearance than

speculation began. The Sayers party originally stood out for 6 to 4,

but being unable to get on at that price, they reduced their demands

to 5 to 4, at which price considerable business was done, and a bet of

£10 to £8 was made and staked between the men. It was piercingly cold;

and, the ground being in a moist state, all looked anxious for

business, in the hope that the excitement of the combat would dispel

some of the shivering fits to which the spectators, one and all,

notwithstanding their Crimean-looking outfits, seemed to be subject.

Little time was lost by the men in denuding themselves of their

remaining outer-garments, and, the handkerchiefs having been tied to

the stakes (a light grey and white for Sayers, and a neat white and

blue check for Jones), at one o’clock precisely “Time” was called,

hands were clasped, and the men began

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.――On baring their forequarters to the piercing

breeze, a perceptible shiver ran through the carcases

of the combatants. Sayers looked in perfect condition;

every muscle was perceptible, and we doubt whether

there was an ounce of superfluous flesh about him.

There was a smile of confidence on his lips and bright

sparkle in his eye that betokened extraordinary health

and spirits. His attitude was artistic and firm, yet

light. Of course he stood on the defensive, and eyed

his heavier opponent. There did not appear to be that

disparity of size that really existed; for Jones

stooped rather on throwing himself on guard, and thus

reduced his height almost to a level with that of the

gallant Tom, who was upright as a dart. Aaron’s

condition did not seem to us so first-rate as the first

glance at him had led us to suppose. His muscles,

though large, were too well covered, while his back and

chest also displayed much superfluous meat, and we

should say that his weight could not have been less

than 12st. 4lbs. He, like Sayers, looked confident, but

was far more serious in his demeanour. They both

commenced the round with the utmost caution, sparring,

and attempting to draw one another into something like

an opening; but for a long time neither would throw a

chance away. At length Jones dashed out left and right;

but the blows passed over Tom’s shoulders, and Tom with

quickness tapped Aaron on the face, but without force.

Sayers now let go his left, but Jones retreated. Tom

persevered, and was cleverly stopped. In a third

attempt, after more dodging, he got heavily on Aaron’s

mouth and stepped back without a return. Jones now

assumed the offensive, but was stopped, and Tom, after

another dodge or two, planted his left heavily on the

mark, and then the same hand on the side of Aaron’s

nut, but not heavily. Jones returned heavily on the

right peeper, and shortly after made a second call at

the same establishment. More stopping and dodging,

until Sayers paid another visit to Aaron’s kisser,

Jones missing his return. Each now stopped a lead; but

immediately afterwards Jones popped in his left on the

snuff-box, a heavy hit without a return. Tom grinned a

ghastly grin; but the crack evidently made him see

stars. Jones attempted to repeat the dose; but Tom got

well away, and, as he retreated, popped his left on the

neck. More excellent stopping on both sides, and, after

a few harmless exchanges, Tom tried a double with his

left and got on the throat, but the blow lacked steam.

Jones returned with quickness over the left peeper,

inflicting a cut and drawing the claret. (“First blood”

for Jones.) Tom, although staggered, was undaunted, and

went at his man with determination. He once more got on

the bread-basket heavily. Good counter-hits followed,

in which Jones again reached Tom’s damaged peeper,

drawing more of the essential, and Tom delivered a

straight one on the snout, removing a small portion of

the bark. Tom then got on the left eye, and, after some

sharp punching at close quarters, both fell. This round

lasted exactly half an hour.

2.――Tom came up much flushed, and the crimson

distilling from his damaged eye. After a little

dodging, he tried his double, but did not get it home.

He tried a second time, but was stopped, and Jones

returned on the left eye. This led to very heavy

counters, each on the larboard goggle. Jones now

feinted, and popped his left on the nose. They got hold

of one another, swung round, broke away, and Sayers

then popped his left again on the left eye. Severe

exchanges followed at close quarters, and both in the

end were down.

3.――Sayers quickly led off with his left, and was

stopped. He then tried his double, but was short. In a

third essay he got home on Aaron’s nose, but not

heavily. Twice again did he pop in gentle taps, but he

now napped another rattler on the left eye. Severe

exchanges followed, Aaron again turning on the stream

from Tom’s left brow, and Tom tapping his opponent’s

snuff-box. More exchanges in favour of Jones; and in

the end both fell in a scrambling struggle, Jones

under.

4.――Tom’s left brow and the left side of his canister

were much swollen, but he was still confident, and led

off, Jones countering him well on the mouth. Heavy

exchanges followed, Tom on the nose, and Jones on the

left cheek, and both again slipped down, the ground

being anything but level.

5.――Tom let fly his left, but was neatly stopped; Jones

returned on the side of the brain pan, and got down.

6.――Sayers came up, looking very serious, and it

subsequently turned out that he was suffering from

severe cramp in the stomach and lower extremities. He

went in, feinted, and got well home on Jones’s left

eye. This led to sharp exchanges and a close, when both

were down, Jones being underneath. Aaron had now a bump

on his left peeper, which was apparently closing.

7.――Aaron lost no time in sending out his left, which

fell on Tom’s chest. Heavy counter-hits followed, Jones

on the nose, and Tom on the mouth. More exchanges in

favour of Sayers, who again got on Aaron’s damaged

optic, and the latter got down.

8.――Sayers went to his man, and tried his double, the

second blow dropping on Aaron’s sneezer, and Tom then

got cleverly away from the return. Exchanges ensued,

Tom on the mark, and Aaron on the mazzard; Aaron then

got home his right heavily on the left side of Tom’s

knowledge-box, then his left on the left eye, and in

the close Sayers was down.

9.――Aaron led off, but was well stopped, and this led

to some sharp exchanges, Jones on the bad peeper, and

Tom on the left brow. Sayers tried another double, and

once more visited Aaron’s nose, but not heavily. More

mutual stopping, and Jones, at length, in getting away,

slipped and fell. One hour had now elapsed.

10.――Tom planted his left on the beak, and received a

little one in return on the forehead. Jones now let fly

his left and right, but was cleverly stopped. In a

second essay he got home on the left cheek. Heavy

exchanges followed, Tom getting on both peepers, and

Jones on the side of Tom’s cranium with both daddles,

and Tom fell.

11.――Aaron had now a mark on each peeper, the left fast

closing. Tom’s left, too, appeared almost shut up.

Jones tried to take the lead, but missed; Sayers

likewise missed his return. Exchanges followed in

favour of Jones, who, in the end, closed, and in the

struggle both fell, Jones uppermost.

12.――No time lost; both quickly at it, and some sharp

exchanges took place in favour of Jones, who got

heavily on Tom’s nose. Tom made his left on the body

heavily, and they then pegged away wildly at close

quarters until Jones got down.

13.――Aaron dashed in and pegged away left and right,

but without precision, and ultimately bored his man

down.

14.――Jones feinted and popped his left on the left eye,

without a return. Tom then let go his left, but was

short, and Jones, in dashing at him in return, slipped

and fell.

15.――Aaron led off, left and right, but Tom got away.

He came again, and tried to plant his left, but was

short. He then tried his double, but Jones got away.

Both now sparred and dodged, but nothing came of it. At

last Jones dashed in, and heavy exchanges took place in

favour of Jones, who, however, in the end, fell.

16.――Both at once went to work, and heavy exchanges

took place, each napping it on the left ogle, and both

fell through the ropes.

17.――Tom’s forehead and left eye much disfigured. Jones

let fly his left and right on the sides of the nob very

heavily, and both again fell through the ropes.

18.――Tom came up slowly, and was nailed on the damaged

peeper. In return he caught Aaron on the brow, but not

heavily. Jones then made his left and right on the side

of the head and left eye, and Tom retaliated on the

nose a little one. A close followed, and in the end

both were down, Jones under.

19.――Tom dodged and got home on Aaron’s smeller with

his left, and Aaron then made both hands on the left

side of Tom’s wig-block. A close and sharp struggle,

when both fell, Tom under.

20.――Jones dashed in and let go both hands on the head.

Tom returned on the left brow, and both fell backwards.

21.――Aaron again dashed in. He missed his right,

closed, and both fell, Jones under.

22.――Tom now led off, but missed, and Jones caught him

heavily with his right on the frontispiece, and knocked

him down. (“First knock-down for Jones.”)

23.――Tom, on coming up, showed the effect of the last

blow on his forehead. He attempted to lead off, but was

very short. He tried again with a like result; and

Jones, in letting go both hands in return, overreached

himself and fell.

24.――Aaron rattled in, planted his left and right on

the scent-box and left ear, the latter very heavy, and

bored Tom down.

25.――Tom came up bleeding from a severe cut on the left

lug, and his gnomon much out of straight. He tried to

lead off, but Jones caught him on the right brow, but

not very heavily. Tom then got home on the body, and

tremendous counter-hits followed, in favour of Jones,

who, in the end, slipped and fell, Tom catching him,

just as he reached the ground, on the side of the head.

26.――Jones went in left and right, closed, and both

were down. Sayers was now very weak, and the Jonesites

were in ecstasies.

27.――Aaron led off, getting well on the side of Tom’s

nut with his right. Tom missed his return, and Jones

then planted his left and right on the top of the

skull; closed at the ropes, where Tom managed to throw

him but not heavily.

28.――Jones led off, and got well on Tom’s nose with his

left, and Tom returned on the side of the head. After a

little dodging, Jones popped his left on Tom’s left

peeper, and his right on the jaw, again flooring Tom

and falling on him.

29.――Tom, who was excessively weak, came up slow, but

determined; he tried his left at the body, but was

short. Jones then let fly his left in return, but was

countered on the mouth. He then planted his left and

right on Tom’s damaged listener, and in the end fell.

30.――Aaron, after a few dodges, once more popped a

little ’un on Tom’s ear. Tom thereupon dashed in, but

got a little one on the nose, and another on the side

of the head, and Jones, in getting away, fell,

laughing.

31.――Jones attempted to lead off, but Tom got away.

Jones followed him up, caught him again on the side of

the nob, closed, and both rolled over together.

32.――Jones dashed in, planted both hands on the

brain-pan, closed, and forced Tom down.

33.――Jones again rushed in, but inflicted no damage,

and again bored Tom down.

34.――Jones still forced the fighting, and caught Tom,

who seemed very tired, on the side of the head, and, in

the end, both slipped down.

35.――Sayers was forced down, after getting a gentle

reminder on the side of his damaged figure-head.

36.――Tom, a little refreshed, sparred about for wind,

until Jones went in, and heavy exchanges took place, in

favour of Jones, when both fell backwards.

37.――Tom, recovering a little, tried his double, but

Jones got away, and, as Tom came, he nailed him on the

left brow. Tom then made his left on the mark, but

again napped it heavily on the left eye. Aaron now got

on the nose with his left――a heavy spank――and, in

getting back, he staggered and fell.

38.――Jones dodged, and planted his left on the mouth

heavily, and his right on the side of the head. Tom

returned slightly on the nose, and, after slight

exchanges, both fell.

39.――Very slight exchanges, and Sayers slipped down.

40.――After a little sparring they got close, and

exchanges took place, each getting it on the mouth.

Sayers then tried his left at the mark, but Jones got

away. Tom followed him up, and was caught by Aaron,

left and right, on the side of his head and fell.

41.――Tom came up, shook himself, and rattled in, but he

got it on the top of his cranium. Jones, in stepping

back, fell. Two hours had now expired.

42.――Jones, steady, let go his left on the side of

Tom’s head, and then both mauleys on the same spot. Tom

followed him up, but got it again on the brow. He,

however, got home on Jones’s body, and, in retreating

slipped and fell.

43.――Long sparring for wind, until Jones once more made

play on the left side of Tom’s occiput, and then on his

snout. Tom returned on the latter organ, but not

heavily. He now tried his favourite double, but did not

get home. In a second attempt he got heavily on Aaron’s

proboscis, and got away. Exchanges followed, in which

Tom again delivered heavily on the nose with his left,

and in the end Jones dropped.

44.――Tom was now evidently recovering from his

exhaustion. He came up steadier, and sparred shiftily

until Jones commenced the attack, when he stopped him

neatly. Heavy counter-hits followed on the jaw, after

which Sayers tried the double once again, but was

stopped. More good counter-hits, Tom getting well on

Aaron’s left eye, and receiving on the mouth. Aaron’s

left eye all but closed.

45.――More sparring, until Jones let fly his left, but

Sayers got away. Exchanges followed, Tom on the

whistler, and Jones on the nose, but not heavily. More

sharp counter-hitting, Tom once more getting on the

left eye severely. Jones returned, but not effectively,

with both hands on the side of the head, and in getting

away from the return he fell.

46.――Jones succeeded in planting a spanking hit from

the left on the left eye, and then another with the

same hand on the left cheek. In a third attempt he was

stopped. Heavy counter-hits followed, and in the end

Jones fell, Sayers falling over him.

47.――Aaron feinted with his left, and got well on Tom’s

nose; a very straight hit. Tom, in return, tried his

double, but was short. After some more ineffectual

attempts they got to it, and tremendous exchanges took

place, each getting it on the nose and left eye, and in

the end Jones got down. Two hours, fifteen minutes.

48.――Tom tried to lead off, but was stopped, and Jones

planted his left on the cheek. Tom now stopped two of

Jones’s hits, after which heavy exchanges took place,

Tom getting well on to the left eye, and Jones on the

nose. More sharp exchanges, left and right, each

getting pepper in earnest, and the favours mutually

divided. A break away, and to it again, ding-dong, and

Tom drew the crimson from Aaron’s left peeper, which

was now effectually closed. In the end Jones fell. It

was now anybody’s battle; Tom had quite recovered his

wind, and was nearly as strong as his heavier opponent.

49.――Both much punished. Sayers sparred until Jones

tried to lead off, when he got away. Jones followed him

up, but was short in his deliveries. In the end they

closed, and as they were falling Tom popped his right

sharply on Aaron’s back.

50.――Jones, after sparring, led off, and got home on

the nose, but not heavily; Tom returned on the right

peeper, and some pretty exchanges, left and right, took

place, followed by a break away, and Jones then stopped

Tom’s left; Tom, in return, stopped Aaron, and planted

his left on the mark, and then on the left eye, and

Jones got down.

51.――Jones led off, but was stopped. He persevered, and

a good give-and-take rally followed, Jones getting on

the left eye, and Tom on the left cheek heavily. Tom

next got on the mouth, drawing the Burgundy, and then

on the nose and left cheek. Another sharp rally

followed, after a break away, and in the end both down.

52.――Sayers visibly improving while Jones fell off.

Jones was short in his lead, and Tom returned on the

smelling-bottle, and got away. Jones followed and

dashed out his left, but Tom ducked his head. Tom then

got home on the mouth and nose, and drew more of the

ruby from the latter ornament. Jones succeeded in

returning a little ’un on the left eye, and Sayers

slipped down.

53.――Jones, who was bleeding from the left eye and

month, led off, but was well stopped. He then missed

his left, but in the end heavy exchanges, left and

right, took place, Jones on the side of the nut and the

neck, and in getting back he fell.

54.――Tom now essayed a lead, but was stopped. A second

attempt reached Aaron’s body, but not heavily, and

Jones returned on the nose. Tom tried his double, but

missed, and Jones popped a little one on the mouth, and

then his left on the left eye, and fell in the corner.

55.――Tom dodged about until he got within distance, and

then got home heavily on the mark. Jones returned on

the jaw with his right, but not heavily. After some

more sparring, Jones dashed in, when Tom met him very

sharply on the right cheek-bone with his left, and

Aaron fell all of a heap. He was carried to his corner,

where it was with the utmost difficulty he could be got

round at the call of “Time.”

56.――Jones came up all abroad, and Tom popped in

another spank on the same spot, whereupon Jones again

fell. It was thought to be all over; but, by dint of

shaking him up, Aaron was again enabled to respond to

the call.

57.――Tom rushed at his man to administer the _coup de

grace_, but, going in without precision, he contrived

to run against Aaron’s left, which was swung wildly

out, the blow, which alighted on Tom’s nose, regularly

staggered him. He quickly recovered himself, and went

in again, but Jones fell weak.

After this, the battle continued to the 62nd round,

Jones getting gradually blind, and Sayers becoming very

tired. At length in the 62nd round, after slight

exchanges, the men, who were much exhausted, stood

still, looking at each other for some time, their

seconds covering them with rugs. Upon this the referee

and umpires called on them to go in and finish. Both

went to the scratch, but on Sayers approaching Jones,

the latter retreated to his corner, and Tom, in

obedience to the orders of his seconds, declined going

to fight him there. It was getting dark, and it was

clear that Jones and his friends were determined not to

throw a chance away. The referee once more called on

Jones to go to the scratch, which he did, but with

precisely the same result; and the referee, seeing that

Tom was not strong enough to go with prudence to finish

on his adversary’s ground, and that Jones was unwilling

to try the question at the scratch in his then

exhausted state, ordered the men to shake hands,

leaving the motion as to further hostilities to a

future day. Both were severely punished; each had a

peeper closed; Jones’s right was fast following his

left, and his right hand was injured; so that a second

meeting the same week was not to be thought of. The

fight lasted exactly three hours. The men and their

friends now hastened to regain the vessel, and it was

dark long ere the last of the company were safely on

board. Of course there were many laughable accidents in

the mud through which all had to wade; but luckily,

nothing occurred of a serious nature to mar the

pleasures of the day, which, although in some measure

clouded by the fact that the battle was not finished,

still left sufficient impression on the minds of the

spectators to cause them to remember this brilliant

passage of arms, which formed so hopeful an opening to

the pugilistic year 1857. The vessel conveyed the

company with all due speed to a convenient place for

debarkation, whence they obtained a passage by railway

to the Metropolis, which was reached in safety by nine

o’clock. Numerous complaints were made by the

disappointed ones who went to the Great Northern

Railway, at the manner in which they were deceived; and

the only consolation is that we are sorry for those

whom we should have been glad to welcome at the

ring-side, but who have themselves alone to blame for

not finding out the final fixture as many others had

done; while as to others of a certain class, who are

always more free than welcome, we can with truth say

their room was better than their company, and we

rejoice, with others who were present, that they were

so completely sold. Some unlucky wights got a sort of

hint as to the fixture, and arrived within a few miles

of the spot at a late hour in the afternoon, and were

landed, but unluckily for them, on the wrong island,

and here the poor fellows had to remain all night, and

sleep under a haystack. The boats that landed them had

departed, and they could make no one hear; so that,

cold, hungry, and thirsty, they had to weather the

cold, severe night in the best way they could.

The renewed battle, which was for £200 and an additional bet of £100,

was fixed for Tuesday, the 10th February, 1857, on the same spot as

the previous gallant encounter. On this occasion Sayers was seconded

by Jemmy Massey and Bill Hayes, with Jemmy Welsh as bottle-holder;

Aaron Jones by Alec Keene and Jack Hicks, Jack Macdonald taking care

of the restoratives. 7 to 4 on Sayers.

THE FIGHT.