Chapter I (1)

WILLIAM THOMPSON (“BENDIGO”), OF NOTTINGHAM, CHAMPION. 1835-1850.

William Thompson, whose pseudonym of Bendigo has given its name to a district or territory of our Antipodean empire, first saw the light on the 11th day of October, in the year 1811, in the city of Nottingham, renowned, in the days of rotten boroughs and protracted contested elections, for its pugnacious populace, its riotous mobs, and rampant Radicalism, succeeded, in a like spirit, even in later “reformed” times, by its lion-like “lambs,”[2] and “tiger-Tories.” William was one of three sons at a birth, and, we are assured, of a family holding a respectable position among their neighbours, some of them filling the ministerial pulpit, and others belonging to a strait and strict denomination of dissent. The late Viscount Palmerston expressed his opinion that had not John Bright, the coadjutor of Cobden and Gladstonian Cabinet Minister of our own day, been born a Quaker, he must have grown up a pugilist; a similar reflection suggests itself to those who knew the character and genius of William Thompson; with the difference that in his case the young pugilist did grow into an elderly Methodist parson, as we shall hereafter see, while the Broadbrim secular Minister has not yet figured in the roped twenty-four feet.

There is a closer psychological connection between fighting and fanaticism, pugnacity and Puritanism, than saints and Stigginses can afford to admit, and the readiness of wordy disputants to resort to the argumentum ad hominem, or ad baculinum, and the facile step from preachee to floggee of parsons of all sects and times, need no citations of history to prove. The young Bendigo, as we shall see hereafter, became another illustration of the wisdom of Seneca,[3] and took to theological disputation when he could no longer convince his opponents by knock-down blows.

Of the earlier portion of the career of Bendigo, previous to his first victory over the gigantic Ben Caunt, in July, 1835, much apocryphal stuff has been fabricated by an obscure biographer.

In 1832, William Thompson, then in his twenty-first year, beat Bill Faulker, a Nottingham notoriety. In April, 1833, he defeated Charley Martin, and in the following month polished off Lin Jackson, another local celebrity.

Tom Cox (of Nottingham), who had beaten Sam Merriman, was defeated easily in June, 1833; and in August of the same year (1833) Charles Skelton and Tom Burton[4] are said to have fallen beneath Bendigo’s conquering fist. Moreover (surely his biographer is poking fun at us) he is credited with beating Bill Mason in Sept. 1833, and Bill Winterflood in October! Now as we know no Bill Winterflood except Bill Moulds, the Bath champion, and he never met Bendigo at all, are we not justified in rejecting such “history”?

The last in this list is a defeat of one Bingham, who is set down as “Champion,” in January, 1834, which brings us near enough to Bendigo’s first appearance in the blue posted rails of the P. R. with Caunt on July 21st, 1835. On that day, we read――

“A fight took place in the Nottingham district between two
youngsters who were both fated to develop into Champions of
England. The meeting-place was near Appleby House, on the
Ashbourne Road, about thirty miles from Nottingham.” Both
men were natives of Nottinghamshire; the elder one, William
Thompson, hailing from the county town; while the younger,
Benjamin Caunt, was a native of the village of Hucknall,
where his parents had been tenants of the poet, Lord
Byron――a fact of which the athlete was always intensely
proud. Caunt on this occasion made his first appearance in
any ring, and having been born on the 22nd of March, 1815,
had only just completed his twenty-first year, and had
therefore a very considerable disadvantage in point of age.
On the other hand, he was a youngster of herculean
proportions and giant strength; stood 6ft. 2in. in height,
and his fighting weight was 14st. 7lb. Thus, in point of
size, it was a horse to a hen; but Caunt had no science at
all, while Bendigo had a very considerable share of it. The
big ’un was seconded by Butler (Caunt’s uncle) and Bamford,
and Bendigo by Turner and Merryman. Throughout twenty-two
rounds Caunt stood up with indomitable pluck and perseverance
to receive a long way the lion’s share of the punishment,
while his shifty opponent always avoided the return by
getting down. Caunt at last, in a rage at these tactics,
which he could not counteract or endure, rushed across the
ring, called on him to stand up, before the call of “Time”
by the umpires, and then struck Bendigo before he rose from
his second’s knee. The referee and umpires having decided
that this blow was foul, the stakes, £25 a side, were
awarded to Bendigo. “It was the expressed opinion of the
spectators that, had Caunt kept his temper and husbanded his
strength, the issue would have gone the other way, as he
proved himself game to the backbone, while his opponent was
made up of dodges from heel to headpiece.”

This fight had the effect of calling the attention of backers to both men. Of Bendigo’s cleverness there could be no question, while Caunt’s enormous strength and unflinching pluck were equally indisputable; and it is a curious illustration of the circular theory of events that these two men, whose pugilistic career may fairly be said to have commenced in this fight――when they were, of course, at the bottom of the ladder――should meet again when they were half-way up, and a third time when they stood on the topmost round.

This victory over the gigantic wrestler of Hucknall Torkard could not fail to bring his conqueror prominently before the eyes of the boxing world. John Leechman, alias Brassey, of Bradford (of whom hereafter), Charley Langan, Looney, of Liverpool, Bob Hampson, also of Liverpool――indeed, all the big ’uns of the “North Countrie” were anxious to have a shy at the audacious 11st. 10lb. man who had beaten Ben the Giant.

In November, 1835, Brassey, of Bradford, announced by letter in _Bell’s Life_, that he was prepared to meet Bendigo half-way between Nottingham and the Yorkshire town for £50 a side. But the erratic Bendigo was wandering about the country, exhibiting with Peter Taylor, Sam Pixton, Levi Eckersley, & Co., electrifying the yokels by his tricks of agility and strength, and his irrepressible chaff and natural humour――gifts which made him, formidable as he really was, a sort of practical clown to the boxing ring. Hence nothing came of the challenges and appointments, although Bendigo, by a letter in a Midland sporting paper, in February, 1836, declared himself ready to make a match for £25 a side with Tom Britton or Jem Corbett――Bendigo to be under 12st. on the day. He also threw down the gauntlet to “any 12st. man in the four counties of Nottingham, Leicester, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire; money ready at his sporting house in Sheffield”――a rather amusing challenge, as it excluded Brassey, of Bradford, and three well-known Lancashire heavy weights. Tom Britton replied to this challenge that he would not fight under £100, being engaged in business; but informed Bendigo that he could find two 12st. candidates for his favours for £25 or £50, if he would attend at the “Grapes,” Peter Street, Liverpool.

John Leechman (Brassey) now came out with a definite cartel, that he was open to fight any 12st. man within 100 miles of Bradford for £25 or £50, and that his money was ready at the “Stag’s Head,” Preston Street, Sheffield. This brought Bendigo to the scratch, and the match was made for £25 a side, to come off on Tuesday, May 24th, 1836. The deposits were duly made, and on the appointed day, May 24th, 1836, the men met nine miles from Sheffield, on the Doncaster road. No reliable report of this fight, which was for £25 a side, is extant: nothing beyond a paragraph in the following week’s papers, declaring it to be won by Bendigo, “after a severe contest of 52 rounds, in which the superiority of science was on the side of the lesser man, Bendigo weighing 11st. 12lb., Brassey nearly 13st.”

Brassey and his friends were not satisfied with this defeat, and immediately proposed a fresh match for £50; and Jem Bailey (not of Bristol, but an Irishman, afterwards twice beaten by Brassey) also challenged Bendigo. Bendigo accepted Bailey’s offer, but Paddy’s friends hung back and forfeited the deposit.

Our hero now visited London, and was for some weeks an object of some curiosity, putting up at Jem Burn’s, where he kept the company alive by his eccentric “patter.” Jem offered to back Bendigo against Fitzmaurice (who had been beaten by Deaf Burke), but Fitz’s friends also backed out. It may be remarked, par parenthese, that the Deaf ’un was in America during this paper warfare.

At this period a remarkably clever eleven stone black, hight Jem Wharton, who fought under the names of “Young Molyneux,” and “The Morocco Prince,” had successively polished off Tom M’Keevor, Evans, Wilsden, and Bill Fisher, and fought a gallant drawn battle of _four hours and seven minutes_, and 200 rounds, with the game Tom Britton, was the talk of the provincial fancy. A match was proposed for £50, half-way between Nottingham and London. But in the interval of talk Molyneux got matched with Harry Preston, and a most interesting fight, from the crafty style of both men, was lost for ever. A forfeit in the interim was paid to Bendigo by Flint, of Coventry.

Molyneux also accepted Bendy’s offer, but insisted on raising the stakes to £100 a side, and to Bendy confining himself to 11st. 7lb. (!) Molyneux not to exceed 11st. 2lb., &c., &c.

To these stipulations Bendy replied: “My Liverpool friends will back me £100 to £80, or £50 to £40, at catch weight, against Young Molyneux. I shall be in London in a few weeks, and shall be happy to meet Luke Rogers for £50 or £100, as Looney’s match is off, owing to his being under lock and key for his day’s amusement with Bob Hampson.――Nottingham, November 25, 1836.” Molyneux got matched with Bailey, of Manchester, and this second affair fell through.

At length, in December, articles were signed with Young Langan (Charley), of Liverpool, to fight within two months, catch weight, and the day fixed for the 24th of January, 1837, when the men met at Woore, eight miles from Newcastle, in Staffordshire. At a few minutes to one o’clock Bendy appeared, esquired by Harris Birchall and Jem Corbett; Young Langan waited on by two of his countrymen. Langan weighed within 2lb. of 13st.; Bendigo 11st. 10lb. on this occasion. The battle was a characteristic one. The “long ’un,” as he was called by the bystanders, began by “forcing the fighting,” a game which suited the active and shifty Bendigo, who punished his opponent fearfully for almost every rush. Cautioned by his friends, Langan tried “out-fighting,” but Bendy was not to be cajoled into countering with so long-armed and heavy an opponent. He feigned weakness, and Langan, being encouraged to “go in,” found he had indeed “caught a Tartar.” He was upper-cut, fibbed, and thrown, until, “blind as a pup,” his seconds gave in for him at the close of the 92nd round, and one hour and thirty-three minutes.

Negotiations with Tom Britton, of Liverpool, fell through, as Britton could not come up to Bendy’s minimum of £100 a side.

Bendigo and his trainer, Peter Taylor, were now in high favour, and a sparring tour among the Lancashire and Yorkshire tykes was organised and arranged. Bendigo also wrote in the London and provincial papers that he was “ready to fight any man in England at 11st. 10lb. for £50 to £100 a side; and, as he is really in want of a job, he will not refuse any 12st. customer, and will not himself exceed 11st. 10lb. Money always ready.”

At this period Looney, declaring that Bendigo had shuffled out of meeting him for £50, claimed the Championship in a boastful letter. This was too much for Jem Ward, who then kept the “Star” tavern in Williamson Square, Liverpool; so he addressed an epistle to the editor of _Bell’s Life_, offering to meet Mr. Looney for £200, “if there is no big ’un to save the title of Champion from the degradation into which it has fallen.”

Ward’s letter had the effect of leading to a meeting of Looney’s friends, whereat that boxer discreetly declared that he never meant to include Ward in his general challenge for £100 or £200, as he considered that Ward had retired. Barring, therefore, Ward, Mister Looney renewed his claim. Hereupon a gentleman from Nottingham, disputing Looney’s claim to fight for “a Championship stake,” offered to back Bendigo against him for £50 a side and “as much more as he could get.” This was closed with, and a deposit made. On the following Tuesday, at Matt Robinson’s, “Molly Moloney” tavern, Liverpool, articles were signed for £50 a side (afterwards increased to £100), to fight on the 13th of June, 1837, half-way between Nottingham and Liverpool. A spot near Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, was the rendezvous, and thither the men repaired. Looney arrived in Manchester from his training-quarters at Aintree, and Bendigo from Crosby, on the overnight, when there was some spirited betting at five and occasionally six to four on Looney.

The next morning proving beautifully fine brought hundreds from distant parts to the spot, in the usual description of drags, until there was not a stable left wherein to rest a jaded prad, or a bit of hay or corn in many places to eat. Looney had fought many battles, the most conspicuous of which were with Fisher (whom he defeated twice, and another ended in a wrangle) and Bob Hampson, who suffered defeat three times by him. Bendigo, as we have seen, had scored victories over Caunt, Brassey, and young Langan. A little after eleven the magnets of the day left their hotels, and were immediately followed by an immense body on foot to the summit of a rasping hill, where a most excellent inner and outer ring was formed with new ropes and stakes, the latter being painted sky blue; near the top were the letters L. P. R. (signifying Liverpool Prize Ring), encircled in a wreath of gold; the one to which the handkerchiefs were attached was, with the crown, gilt. Soon after twelve o’clock the men entered the ring amidst the cheers of their friends――Bendigo first. They good-humouredly shook hands, and proceeded to peel. Young Molyneux (who was loudly cheered), along with Joe Birchall, appeared for Looney, whilst Peter Taylor and Young Langan were the assistants of Bendigo. The colours――green and gold for Looney; blue bird’s-eye for Bendigo. A little after one o’clock, the betting being five to four on Looney, with many takers, commenced

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.――The appearance of Bendigo, on coming to the
scratch, was of the first order, and as fair as a lily,
whilst Looney displayed a scorbutic eruption on his
back. Both seeming confident of victory put up their
fives, caution and “stock-taking” for a few moments
being the order of the day. Looney made a half-round
right-hander, which told slightly on the ear. He then
made three hits at the head and body, which Bendigo
stepped away from, and dropped a little left ’un on the
chin. Bendigo was not idle, but on the defensive, and
succeeded in putting in two left-handers on the
canister, and blood, the first, made its appearance
from the mouth and under the left eye of Looney. This
was a long round; in the close Bendigo was thrown.

2.――Looney, all anxious, made play left and right; one
told on the ear, a scramble, both fighting; Bendigo
thrown, but fell cat fashion.

3.――Bendigo put the staggers on Looney with a
left-handed poke on the head; closed, and both down on
their sides.

4.――Both came up smiling. Bendigo made two short hits,
had his left intended for the “attic” stopped, but put
in a straight one on the breast, and the round finished
by both men hammering away right and left in splendid
style until Looney was sent down.

5.――Two light body blows were exchanged, and Looney was
thrown.

6.――Bendigo got away from two right-handers, received a
little one on the left ear, and both down one over the
other.

7.――Looney made two short hits with the left; Bendigo
stopped his right at the ear; some capital in-fighting
took place, in which Looney got his right eye out, and
Bendigo slipped down.

8.――This was another good round, but in the end Bendigo
got his man on the ropes in such a position as to
operate pretty freely on his face, and showers of
“claret” were the consequence. Looney fell through the
ropes, Bendigo over him.

9.――Looney came up as gay as possible, with two to one
against him, and a slashing round ended in favour of
Bendigo; Looney down.

10.――Bendigo sent home a tremendous whack on the left
eye, which drew claret. Looney seemed amazed, and put
up his hand to “wipe away the tear.” Looney thrown.

11.――A very long struggle on the ropes, in which Looney
appeared awkwardly situated, but he got down with
little damage.

12.――Up to this round there was not a visible mark of
punishment on Bendigo. Looney put in two hits on the
left ear, but was thrown through the ropes, Bendigo
over him.

13.――Looney hit short with his right on the body, but
was more successful in the next effort; planted it on
the ribs, and staggered Bendigo to the ropes, where
both struggled down.

14.――A capital round, in which some heavy hits were
exchanged, and Looney fell.

15.――Looney staggered his man again with his right,
and, in making another hit, Bendigo dropped on his
nether end, throwing up his legs and laughing. (Great
disapprobation.)

16.――Looney again delivered his right on the ribs.
Bendigo bored him to the ropes, and Looney got down.

17.――Looney put in two smart hits on the left ear, and
one on the ribs. Bendigo dropped on his knees.

18.――Bendigo pressed Looney on the ropes, held him for
some time in a helpless position, and gave it him
severely in the face, the claret flowing copiously. He
was lowered to the earth by a little stratagem on the
part of his seconds.

19.――Notwithstanding the loss of blood in the last
round, Looney was lively to the call, went up to his
man, and knocked him through the ropes with a body
blow.

20.――Looney caught his man with his right; a struggle
on the ropes in favour of Bendigo. Both down.

21.――Another struggle on the ropes, in which Bendigo
was forced through.

22.――A rallying round, which Looney finished by
knocking his man through the rope by a blow on the
breast.

23.――Looney again put in his right; another struggle on
the ropes, until they were forced to the ground.

24.――Looney rushed in and was going to work when
Bendigo fell.

25.――Bendigo put in a smart hit on the face, caught it
in return on the head, and was thrown over the ropes.

26.――Bendigo popped in three very heavy hits on the
face, put three hits on the body, and went down as if
weak.

27.――Looney hit short. Bendigo gave it him on the conk,
and threw him a clever somersault.

28.――Looney put in his right heavily on the ribs, which
compliment was returned by a stinger on the head, which
staggered him down.

29.――Both got to a close, and Bendigo was thrown,
coming on his head.

30.――A slashing round; give and take was “the ticket”
on the ribs and head, until both went down weak.

31.――Both got to the ropes, and went down together.
Ditto the next round.

33.――Bendigo put in two facers, and threw his man
heavily.

34.――After an exchange, Bendigo caught hold and threw
Looney heavily.

35.――Bendigo got on the ropes, and Looney dragged him
down on his back.

36, 37.――Two struggling rounds at the ropes; Looney
under in the falls.

38.――Looney planted a nasty one on the ribs, followed
his man up, and forced Bendigo through the ropes.

39.――Looney planted three tidy hits on the head and
body, as did Bendigo on the mug, again tapping the
claret; but in the end was whirled on the ground.

40.――A rally in favour of Bendigo, who threw Looney.

41.――Looney caught Bendigo’s head, put in a smart upper
cut, but was thrown clean.

42.――Bendigo’s left arm appeared a little black from
the effects of Looney’s right, as did his ear, but with
the exception of a small bump on his left eye he had
not a scratch on his face, whilst Looney’s phiz began
to assume a frightful aspect, his left eye completely
closed, with a terrible gash over it, one under,
another over his right, and his nose and mouth in a
shocking state of disorder. Still he was game and
confident of the victory; he rushed in, put in two
sharpish hits on the head, and downed Bendigo in a heap
on the grass.

43.――Body blows exchanged. Bendigo under in the fall.

44.――A rally in favour of Bendigo, in which Looney
clasped him round the legs; but it was considered more
by accident than design. He let go, and went down.

45.――Looney rushed in, and in the struggle went down on
his nether end.

46, 47, 48, 49.――Struggling rounds――favour of Bendigo.

50.――Bendigo shot out his left, and, in going down,
Looney caught his head, but, not observing Hoyle’s rule
of “when in doubt take the trick,” held back his fist,
and let him go.

51.――Looney popped one in the ear, but was thrown
through the ropes.

52, 53, 54.――Nothing done. In the latter Looney missed
a heavy upper cut, and swung himself through the ropes.

55.――Bendigo got Looney’s head in chancery, peppered
away, and again the crimson stream flowed. Both down.

56.――A struggle. Both down.

57.――A close, in which Looney threw Bendigo a burster,
with his head doubled under.

58.――Bendigo, being doubled on the ropes, received a
few heavy hits on the ribs, but on Looney striving for
his head he got away, and both went down.

59.――A close, Looney receiving a shattering throw.

60.――Looney had his man on the ropes, but was too weak
to hold him, and received another burster for his
pains.

61.――Looney, again on the ropes, caught pepper in the
face until it assumed a frightful appearance, and the
claret gushed freely; he escaped by the cords being
pressed down.

62.――Looney’s right eye was now fast drawing to a
close, but his game was undeniable, and he still
calculated on victory; he rushed in wildly, caught
Bendigo in his arms, and threw him.

63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68.――Strange to say these rounds
were in favour of Looney, without any mischief, in the
latter of which Bendigo was driven against one of the
posts by a hit on the breast, from which he rebounded,
and fell forwards on the turf.

69.――Looney rushed in, Bendigo caught his head, drew
his cork, and threw him.

70, 71.――Bendigo’s optics all right, and very cautious.
The first a scrambling round, Looney under. Bendigo, in
the next, went to a close, and was whirled down.

72.――A little altercation took place in this round,
owing to Bendigo falling on his back without a blow
being struck, which was the case, but it was not done
for the purpose of evading a blow. Looney was creeping
up to him, and his heel, in retreating, caught a tuft
of grass and threw him, which appeared to be the
general opinion.

73.――Bendigo gave three facers, but was thrown.

74.――Looney bored his man to the ropes, and sent him
through them by a muzzler.

75.――Bendigo slipped his left at the all but closed
eye, and went down. (Cries of “Cur.”)

76.――Looney put in with his right, and gained the
throw.

77.――Hugging. Looney down.

78.――Bendigo made a hit, and got down by the ropes.

79, 80.――Looney received two hits on the body, and was
thrown in each.

81, 82.――In both of these rounds Looney was thrown
heavily, but put in a well-meant hit on the head.

83.――Bendigo, on the ropes, received a heavy hit on the
ribs. Looney was about to repeat the dose, but was
stopped by the cries of “Foul,” and he left him.

84.――Another rush. Bendigo whirled down.

85.――Looney was floored cleverly by a spanking hit on
the chops.

Nothing particular occurred in the next six rounds; the
throws, with the exception of one, being in favour of
Bendigo.

92.――Bendigo showed a good feeling in this round. In
the struggle Looney got seated on the under rope, but
Bendigo would not take advantage, and walked away.

93, 94.――Looney down in both these rounds.

95.――Looney rallied a little, and made two hits tell
with the right on the ear, and Bendigo went down rather
shook.

96, 97.――Both down together. Bendigo gave a muzzler in
the last, got his man on the ropes, but was too weak to
hold him.

98.――Looney put in his right on the temple, but was
thrown very heavily.

99, and last.――Looney came up as blind as a bat, and
rushed in with his right, when Bendigo mustered up all
his remaining strength and gave him another fall.
Molyneux, finding it useless to prolong the contest,
gave the signal of defeat, after fighting two hours and
twenty-four minutes.

REMARKS.――It will be seen by the above account that
Bendigo won all the three events――first blood, first
knock down, and the battle. He stands with his right
leg foremost, has a good knowledge of wrestling, steps
nimbly backwards to avoid, and hits out tremendously
with his left. He was trained under the care of Jem
Ward and Peter Taylor, who must have spared no pains in
tutoring him, being much improved since he fought Young
Langan; and no doubt will prove a troublesome customer
to any 12-stone man who may meet him. He walked about a
quarter of a mile to his carriage. A tint of black only
appeared under his left eye, but his bodily punishment
must be severe, as he could not bear to be touched on
the left side. He arrived in Manchester the same
evening per gig, and proceeded to Newton races the
following morning. Poor Looney was terribly punished
about the face, being cut under and over each eye, and
his lips and nose terribly mangled: besides the loss of
a grinder or two, he lost a great quantity of blood
from nose, mouth, and other gashes in the face. He is
possessed of most unflinching game, but is slow in his
motions; he strikes very heavy with his right, but it
is too long a time in arriving at its destination. All
that could be done for him by his seconds, Molyneux and
Birchall, was done. The ring was sometimes in great
disorder, owing to want of attention on the part of the
ring-keepers.

Bendigo, on the occasion of a joint benefit with Peter Taylor at the Queen’s Theatre, Liverpool――which northern city at this period appeared to have become the metropolis of milling, _vice_ London and Bristol superseded――boldly claimed the belt. Looney disputed the claim, complaining that Bendigo had recently refused him another chance, though ready to make a new match for £50. Tom Britton also demurred to the Championship claim, and offered to fight Bendy at 11st. 10lb.; money ready to £100 at Mrs. Ford’s, “Belt Tavern,” Whitechapel, Liverpool.

Fisher, Molyneux (proposing the impossible 11st. 7lb.), and others now rushed into letter-writing, but Bendy kept up his claim and his price; and so ran out the year 1837 and part of 1838, the Championship remaining in abeyance, as Jem Ward had retired, and the Deaf ’un was still in America.

Bendy’s old opponent and fellow-townsman next re-appeared on the scene. Ben Caunt, who in the interim had beaten Ben Butler, at Stoney Stratford, in August, 1837, and Boneford, a big countryman, at Sunrise Hill, Notts, in October of the same year, proposed to meet “the self-styled Champion” for £100. Bendigo, _more suo_, thereupon observed, that “at that price, or any other, the big, chuckle-headed navvy was as good as a gift of the money to him.”

All, therefore, went merrily; the instalments were “tabled” as agreed; Bendy was a good boy, and took care of himself; Big Ben worked hard, and got himself down to 15st. 7lb. (!), as will be seen in our account of this tourney, which, according to the plan of our work, must appear in the memoir of the victor, BEN CAUNT (Chapter II., _post_), in the present volume. In this unequal encounter, after seventy-five rounds, Bendigo, who from a mistake had no spikes in his shoes, had the fight given against him for going down without a blow. Two to one was laid on Bendigo within four rounds of the close of the battle.

No slur on the skill, honesty, or bravery of Bendigo was cast by the umpires and referee in this battle, when they gave their decision that he had fallen without a blow, and handed over the stakes to Caunt. Bendigo proposed, before the decision, to make a match for £500, each to raise £200, to be added to the old battle-money. This Ben declined, but declared his readiness to enter into new articles for £100. Another match was accordingly made for £100 a side, to take place on Monday, July 20th, 1838. Bendigo, after bumper benefits in Liverpool, Derby, and Nottingham, now came to London, with Peter Taylor, and took up his quarters at Tom Spring’s, where he became an object of much curiosity; his animal spirits and practical joking being almost too much for Tom Winter’s quiescent and almost sedate temperament. In London he also took a benefit, “before going into strict training,” said the bills. There was “somewhat too much of this,” for Ben also was taking benefits in Notts, Leicester, and Derby. In the month of June it may be noted Deaf Burke returned from America, a fact which occasioned a hitch in Bendigo’s arrangements, as we shall presently see, for on June 24th, 1838, we read in _Bell’s Life_: “The match between Caunt and Bendigo is off by mutual consent, and Caunt desires us to state, that he is now open to fight any man in the world, barring neither country nor colour, for from £50 to £500. What does this mean?” The following paragraph in the ensuing week’s paper may show what it meant:――

“BENDIGO AND CAUNT.――On the authority of a letter signed
Caunt, we last week stated that this match was off by mutual
consent; but we have since been informed by our Nottingham
correspondent that such is not the fact, and that Caunt’s
deposits are forfeited. Our correspondent adds that Caunt’s
backer tried to get the match off, on the plea that it was a
pity to see so little a man as Bendigo fight a giant like
Caunt, who was anxious to enter the ring with Burke. He was,
however, told that the fight must go on, and he promised to
attend, but he neither came nor sent the deposit, but
forwarded a letter to London stating that the match was off
by mutual consent. As a proof that Bendigo’s backers
intended the mill to go on, the deposit (£20) was received
from Sheffield on the Thursday prior to the Monday, and on
that very day £19 towards the next £20 deposit was raised.”

Thus pleasantly released from his engagement with his gigantic competitor, Bendigo instantly responded to the cartel of Deaf Burke, issued on his landing from the New World, in which the Deaf ’un defied any man in the Eastern or Western hemisphere to meet him for £100 to £500, within the twenty-four feet of ropes. £100 was remitted to Peter Crawley to make the match; but lo! Burke had gone over to France (Owen Swift, Young Sam, Jack Adams, &c., were already there) with a “noble Earl,” and at two several meetings, to which the Deaf ’un was summoned, though Bendigo’s “ready” was there, there was no cash from across the water, and Jem Burn announced to Peter Crawley, that he had “a letter” from Paris that “Mister Burke,” who was on a Continental tour, could not fight for less than £200. In the midst of the ridicule and censure of this proposal, so inconsistent with his own published challenge, a gentleman offered to put down the other hundred himself for Bendigo. Crawley, however, declined to put down £50 of Bendigo’s money until guaranteed the £100. Thus the matter fell through. The public feeling in this matter was not badly expressed in a contemporaneous “squib” entitled:――

HEROIC STANZAS FROM BENDIGO TO DEAF BURKE.

Why, truly, my nabs of the torpid auricular,
Your conduct of late ha’nt been wery particular,
And I tell you in werse, which I’m no hand at tagging,
That I shrewdly suspect you of bouncing and bragging.

When a challenge you gave, and defiance was hurl’d
To any professor of fives in the world,
Of course I consider’d that nothing was wrong,
Tho’ I fancied you com’d it a trifle too strong.

I knew you were brave, and as strong as a horse,
And remembered your sending poor Simon to dorse;
And you told us how Yankees all quak’d at your name,
And “guessed” they ne’er witnessed such bottom and game.

You swore as Jem Ward had retir’d on the shelf,
Your mind was made up to be Champion yourself;
And you dar’d all the world to contend for the prize,
While you barred neither country, nor colour, nor size.

This was all wastly well, but how came you to trot
Ere you knew if your challenge was answer’d or not,
And to cut from your quarters in London adrift
On the coming consarn between Adams and Swift?

I tell you, my Deaf ’un, without any flourish,
Your conduct appears most confoundedly currish;
And as straightforward dealing was always my plan,
If you wish for a customer, I am your man.

You boast, my “Venetian,”[5] whoe’er may attack you,
You have lordlings and dukes in attendance to back you;
Well, as folks can’t suppose you are telling us fibs,
Pray, are these patricians to fork out the dibs?

I give you my word, Peter Crawley, my crony,
On my part is ready for posting the pony;
How is it, on yours, that your pal, Jemmy Burn,
In spite of your chaffing, keeps dropping astern?

Do you fancy that conduct like this will content us?
Oh, let no folks say of you “_Non est Inwentus_;”
Come forward, if e’er as a man you have felt,
For Bendigo dares you to strive for the belt.

Presume not brave fellows henceforward to taunt,
For though of my prowess I’ve no wish to vaunt,
An out-and-out good one I fac’d in big Caunt,
Who in stature and muscle match’d owld John of Gaunt.

In capital style you exhibit, I’m told,
As statues of worthies wot figur’d of old;
Apollor, and Wenus, and Mars to the letter――
Wouldn’t _Back-us_, my cove, suit a precious deal better?

But perhaps, arter all――such, believe me, my trust is――
I may not exactly be doing you justice;
And when you’re aware I will meet you at milling,
At the scratch you may show yourself ready and willing.

It will give me much pleasure, my Deaf ’un, I swear,
To see how you’ll show off your attitudes there――
While I, glad to see you returned from your mizzling,
As you’re partial to statues, may give you a chiselling.

I trust that in Paris you show’d in prime feather,
And that you and old Soult had a bottle together;
I’d like to have seen how you sported your tanners,
And mark the French polish you got on your manners.

But perhaps it is time to leave off, my prime feller,
For I an’t wery much of a writer or speller;
Yourself and your pals of the Fancy arn’t green,
And will doubtless diskiver at once what I mean.

They may call me a fool, and the words won’t affront,
For ’tis sartain they can’t say the same of my blunt;
They may swear you are sartain to vanquish me――good――
But pray do not crow till you’re out of the wood.

For the present farewell! May we soon have a shy,
And if I don’t floor you, my Deaf ’un. I’ll try――
So off, without any desire to offend, I go,
Remaining, in hopes the best man may win――
“BENDIGO.”

September came, and the Deaf ’un was still studying “Paris graces and parley-vous,” seconding Owen Swift in his second fight with Jack Adams at Villiers, on the 5th of September, 1838. The police prosecution by the French authorities sent home the tourist, but meantime Bendy’s friends had been offended by some of his eccentric escapades, and had withdrawn the cash from Peter’s hands. In November Bendigo writes to the editor of _Bell’s Life_, that “he was induced to challenge Burke on the promise of certain friends at Nottingham to stand by him; but they having broken faith with him, he could not go on. His readiness and disposition to fight Burke or any other man continue the same, and, whenever friends will come forward to back him, he will be found glad of the opportunity to prove that there is no unmeaning bounce about him, and that he is neither deficient in courage nor integrity.”

Such an appeal had an immediate response. The match was made at Sheffield, Burke’s friends proposing to stake £100 to £80, and a lively interest was soon awakened. On the occasion of the third deposit, on the 27th of November, at Jem Burn’s, in Great Windmill Street, the aristocratic muster was numerous, and five to four was freely laid on Burke, who was present, full of quaint fun, for the Deaf ’un, as well as Bendy, was indeed a “character.” Burke said he had “lowered his price by £50, rather than not ’commodate Mishter Bendys, as he ses his frinds is backards in comin forards.” The articles specified that the battle should take place within thirty-four miles of Nottingham, and the day to be the 15th of January, 1839. These articles were afterwards revised, and the fight postponed to February 12th, the stakes――£100 Burke to £80 Bendigo. The Deaf ’un went into training near Brighton, but removed later to Finchley; Bendigo at Crosby, near Liverpool. Here, on Sunday, January 4th, Bendigo had a narrow escape of his life, as the following paragraph records:――

“NARROW ESCAPE OF BENDIGO.――During the storm on Sunday night
Bendigo who is in training at Crosby, near Liverpool,
narrowly escaped being ‘gathered unto his fathers.’ It
appears that Peter Taylor went to meet Bendigo on Monday
morning, but not finding him at the appointed place,
proceeded at once to Crosby, when he discovered that the
house in which he had left his friend on the previous
evening was almost in ruins, the roof having been blown in,
and nearly every window broken. Peter’s fears were, however,
soon allayed by ascertaining that Bendigo was at a
neighbouring cottage, where he found him between a pair of
blankets, and looking quite chapfallen. Bendigo said that he
would sooner face three Burkes than pass such another night.
He went to bed about nine o’clock, but awoke about eleven,
by his bed rocking under him, the wind whistling around him,
and the bricks tumbling down the chimney. Every minute he
expected the house to fall in upon him, and at three o’clock
the hurricane increased so much in violence that he got out
of bed, put on his clothes, and made his escape out of the
window. He had not left the house ten minutes before the
roof was blown in. A knight of the awl kindly gave him
shelter, and he has since obtained fresh quarters in the
same village.”

As the day approached, intense interest prevailed both in London and Liverpool, to say nothing of Nottingham, Birmingham, Derby, and Manchester, all of which towns sent their contingents of amateurs. Jem Ward undertook to give Bendy “the finishing touch,” and reported him “in prime twig,” while Burke was declared by Tommy Roundhead, his faithful red-nosed “secretary” and “esquire,” to be “strong as a rhinoceros and bold as a lion.”

At length the eventful morn of Tuesday, the 12th of February, 1839, dawned; it was Shrove Tuesday, and the concourse on all the roads to Ashby-de-la-Zouch, for which the “office” was given, was something more marvellous than that which was occasioned by the “gentle passage of arms” in which Richard Cœur-de-Lion figured, for which see “Ivanhoe.” But we will leave _Bell’s Life_ to tell the further proceedings of the tournament.

According to articles, the men were to meet within 35 miles of Nottingham, and it was finally agreed that they should meet at the “Red Lion,” at Appleby, in Warwickshire, on the Monday, to agree upon the battle-field. A centre of attraction having been thus appointed, the men were moved from their training quarters, to be near the scene of action. Burke, attended by Jem Burn, King Dick, Tommy Roundhead (his secretary), and other friends, took up his position at Atherstone, while Bendy, under the fostering care of Jem and Nick Ward and Peter Taylor, approached in an opposite direction. The contest seemed to excite extraordinary interest, and the bustle of preparation was observable in all directions. In Atherstone, a most pugnacious town by ancient charter, Burke was hailed with great favour, as a precursor of the local sports of Tuesday; for, from time “whereto the memory of man runneth not to the contrary,” on Shrove Tuesday the inhabitants of the village exercise a sort of prescriptive right to settle all disputes in fistic or other combat.

It was decided to pitch the ring as near Appleby as possible, and if practicable to have the men in the ring at ten o’clock. In the interim all sorts of vehicles were pressed into the service, horses were at a high premium, and the most ludicrous shifts were made to procure conveyances. In some instances mourning coaches, and even a hearse, were irreverently brought into use, while nags of the most unseemly description were drawn from their privacy and honoured by being hooked as leaders to post-chaises, or harnessed to any out-of-the-way kind of vehicle that fortune dictated. Beds and other accommodation were also difficult to procure, and, as in times of yore, hundreds, _de necessitate_, sat up all night to be up early in the morning.

Long before dawn on Tuesday multitudes were progressing towards Appleby, and at nine o’clock the assemblage in front of Burke’s domicile was immense. The crowd continued to increase steadily until the arrival of a cavalcade of “swell drags” from the direction of Leicester, which gave the signal for departure, as in and upon these were the patrician supporters of the Deaf ’un. On the arrival of these traps the Burke party instantly prepared for a start. Jem Ward and Bendigo, who were located about two miles off, were also in readiness, and lost no time in repairing to the trysting-place, which, to the dismay of the toddlers and the discomfiture of the prads, proved to be at least seven miles off. The ring was formed on the top of a hill, in the parish of Heather, which spot was not reached by the Deaf ’un, owing to various impediments, until half-past eleven o’clock. A vast crowd had preceded him, and hailed his approach with cheers, but it was evident that thousands were yet to arrive, and fortunately for them an unexpected delay in the arrival of Bendigo proved favourable to their hopes, by protracting the commencement of hostilities.

It was nearly half-past twelve before the actual arrival of Bendigo was made known, and at that time, upon a moderate calculation, there were not less than 15,000 persons present of all degrees, the aristocracy forming no inconsiderable portion.

From some inexplicable delay it wanted only a quarter to one when Burke entered the ring, attended by King Dick and Jackson, and if good humour and confidence could be taken as indications of success his friends had no reason to grumble. While waiting for the arrival of Bendigo an incident occurred which produced considerable laughter: it was the approach of a well-dressed and not unlikely woman, who, forcing her way through the well-packed mass of spectators, ran up to the roped arena, and, seizing the Deaf ’un by the hand as an old acquaintance, wished him success, and, but for the intervening rope, would no doubt have added an embrace. She then seated herself in front of the inner circle, and waited the issue of the battle, subsequently cheering her favourite throughout his exertions. Shortly before one o’clock Bendigo made his salaam amidst deafening shouts, attended by Peter Taylor and Nick Ward, and, walking up to Burke, shook him heartily by the hand. The men then commenced their toilets, and on being stripped to their drawers a subject of much contention arose; Bendigo, on examining Burke’s drawers, discovered a belt round his waist, which he insisted should be taken off. In vain did Burke and his friends assure him it was merely a belt to sustain a truss which he wore in consequence of a rupture, and, as it was below his waist, was of no importance; in vain, too, did the referee pronounce it to be perfectly fair; Bendigo was not to be driven from his point, and it was not till the obnoxious belt was taken off that he was satisfied. The belt was exhibited, and fully corroborated the opinion of the referee as to its perfect inutility as a means of defence.

The signal having been given, the men threw off their great coats, and, advancing to the scratch, threw themselves into position; and now, for the first time, a superficial estimate of their condition could be formed. Burke presented all that fine muscular development for which he is famed, but he was pale, and it struck us most forcibly that his flesh wanted that firmness and consistency, the sure consequence of perfect training, and to the attainment of which the mode in which he passed his time was anything but conducive; still he was playful and confident, and regarded his adversary with a look of conscious superiority. Bendigo, in point of muscularity, was inferior to Burke, especially in the shoulders, arms, and neck, but he appeared in perfect condition, and firm as iron. The colour of his skin was healthful; his countenance exhibited perfect self-possession, and wore an easy smile of confidence. The current odds, on setting to, were six to four on Burke, with plenty of takers. In Nottingham, where the physical qualities of Bendigo were better known, the odds had been as low as five to four.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.――The position of Burke was easy and
unconstrained. He stood rather square, his left foot in
advance, and his arms well up, as if waiting for his
antagonist to break ground. Bendigo, on the contrary,
dropped his right shoulder, stooped a little, and,
right foot foremost, seemed prepared to let fly left or
right as the opportunity offered. After a little
manœuvring, he made a catching feint with his left, but
found the Deaf ’un immovably on his guard. They changed
ground, both ready, when Bendigo let go his right, and
caught Burke on the ribs, leaving a visible impression
of his knuckles. More manœuvring. Bendigo tried his
left, but was stopped. The Deaf ’un popped in his
right, and caught Bendigo on the ear, but soon had a
slap in return from Bendigo’s right, under the eye, as
straight as an arrow. (Cheers for Bendigo.) Both
steady. Bendigo made two or three feints with his left,
but did not draw the Deaf ’un. Each evidently meaning
mischief, and getting closer together. Counter hits
with the left, when both, by mutual consent, got to a
rally, and severe hits, right and left, were exchanged.
The Deaf ’un closed, but Bendigo broke away, and
turning round renewed the rally. Heavy exchanges
followed, when they again closed, and trying for the
fall both went down in the corner. (There was a cry of
first blood from Bendigo’s left ear; but, although very
red from the Deaf ’un’s visitations, the referee, who
examined it, decided there was no claret.)

2.――Both men showed symptoms of the “ditto repeated” in
the last round, although no great mischief was done,
nor was there much advantage booked, each having given
as good as he got. The Deaf ’un resumed his defensive
position, and was steady. Bendigo again tried the feint
with his left, evidently desirous of leading off with
his right, but the Deaf ’un was awake to this dodge,
and grinned. The Deaf ’un tried his right, but was
stopped. After a pause, during which the men shifted
their ground, Bendigo let go his left, but was prettily
stopped. He was more successful with his right, and
caught the Deaf ’un a stinger under the eye. The
straightness and quickness of these right-hand
deliveries were now conspicuous. Counter hits, left and
right, followed, and the Deaf ’un showed a slight tinge
of claret on the mouth, but it was not claimed. The
Deaf ’un now made up his mind for a determined rally,
and to it they went ding-dong; the stops, hits, and
returns, right and left, were severe, and no flinching.
Bendigo again wheeled round, but the Deaf ’un was with
him, and the rally was renewed with equal vigour and
good will. Bendigo, rather wild at the end, closed, and
after a sharp struggle, both down. (The Deaf ’un’s
_chère amie_, before alluded to, now cheered him, but,
indifferent to her blandishments, he was carried to his
corner piping a little from the severity of his
exertion. Bendigo, on reaching his corner, seemed
freshest, and exhibited less impression from the blows
which he had received than his antagonist.)

3.――Both came up strong on their pins, but the Deaf
’un’s face, especially on the left cheek, was greatly
flushed, and other marks and tokens of searching
deliveries were visible. The Deaf ’un looked serious,
and coughed as if the contents of his pudding-bag were
not altogether satisfied with the disturbance to which
they had been exposed. Sparring for a short time, when
Bendigo let go his right, but was stopped; it was a
heavy hit, and the sound of the dashing knuckles was
distinctly heard. Well-meant blows on both sides
stopped. The Deaf ’un again coughed; his “cat’s meat”
was clearly out of trim. Again did the Deaf ’un stop
Bendigo’s right, but did not attempt to return. He now
seemed to gain a little more confidence, and exhibited
a few of his hanky-panky tricks, making a sort of Merry
Andrew dance; but his jollity was soon stopped, for
Bendigo popped in his left and right heavily, and got
away. The Deaf ’un changed countenance and was more
serious; Bendigo again tried his left-handed feints and
was readiest to fight, but the Deaf ’un stood quiet.
(Even bets offered on Bendigo.) Bendigo closed in upon
his man, who waited on the defensive; but his defensive
system was inexplicable, for Bendigo jobbed him four
times in succession with the right under the left eye,
on the old spot, jumping away each time without an
attempt at return on the part of the Deaf ’un, and
producing a fearful hillock on the Deaf ’un’s
cheek-bone. The Deaf ’un seemed paralysed by the
stinging severity of these repeated visitations and his
friends called on him to go in and fight. He made an
attempt with his right, but was short; at last he
rushed to a rally, and some heavy hits were exchanged;
Bendigo retreated, but kept hitting on the retreat. The
deliveries were rapid and numerous, but those of the
Deaf ’un did not tell on the hard frontispiece of his
opponent. They broke away, but again joined issue, and
the rally was renewed. The jobbing hits, right and
left, from Bendigo were terrific, and the Deaf ’un’s
nose began to weep blood for the state of his left
ogle, which was now fast closing. (The question of
first blood was now decided.) Bendigo broke away again,
the Deaf ’un following, but Bendigo, collecting
himself, jobbed severely, the Deaf ’un apparently no
return, and almost standing to receive. He looked round
and seemed almost stupefied, but still he kept his
legs, when Bendigo went in and repeated his
right-handed jobs again and again; he then closed, gave
the Deaf ’un the crook, threw him, and fell on him.
(The seconds immediately took up their men, and both
showed distress, especially the Deaf ’un, who was
obviously sick, but could not relieve his stomach,
although he tried his finger for that purpose. All were
astonished at his sluggishness. He seemed completely
bothered, and to have lost all power of reflection and
judgment.)