Chapter I (3)

65.――Bendy again dropped his left on the sly on Caunt’s
damaged phiz, and went down. Caunt fell over him,
jumped up, and retired to his corner.

66.――A slight rally, in which wild hits were exchanged,
and Bendy received a pop in the mouth, which drew the
claret. Bendy dropped on one knee, but, although Caunt
might have hit him in this position, he merely drew
back his hand and refrained.

67.――Bendy came up cautious, keeping _à la distance_
for a few seconds, when he slyly approached, popped in
a tremendous body blow with his left, and dropped, as
if from the force of his own delivery, but evidently
from a desire to avoid the return. Caunt winced under
the effect of this hit, and went to his corner.

68.――Caunt quickly advanced to his work, but Bendy
retreated to the corner, waited for him, popped in a
slight facer, and, in a wild scramble, got down.

69.――Bendy threw in another heavy body blow with his
left, and was going down, when Caunt, with great
adroitness, caught him round the neck with his left
arm, lifted him completely off the ground, and, holding
him for a few seconds, fell heavily on him.

70-73.――Scrambling rounds, in which wild exchanges took
place, and Bendy slipped down as usual to avoid
punishment.

74.――Caunt to the charge, and Bendy on the retreat to
the corner, where he succeeded in flinging in his left
with terrific force on Caunt’s damaged cheek, and
dropped.

75.――Bendy again on the retreat, till he came to the
ropes, over which he was forced, Caunt on him.

76.――Caunt planted his left on Bendy’s pimple, and he
slipped down.

77.――A scrambling round, in which both hit wildly and
without effect. Caunt in vain tried to nail his man
with his right; he was always too high, and Bendy went
down. The uproar without the ring was tremendous, and
whips and sticks were indiscriminately applied.

78.――Bendy, after some dodging, delivered his right
heavily on Caunt’s body, and got down. It was a fearful
smack.

79.――Caunt led off with his left; Bendy ducked to
avoid; and in the close both were down. Bendy was too
cunning to allow his opponent the chance of the throw.

80.――Bendy made his favourite sly hit with his left on
Caunt’s smeller, and slipped down without the account
being balanced. “Time” was very inaccurately kept, a
minute, instead of half that time, being frequently
allowed. [The blame was alternately in each corner; the
seconds continuing their attentions to their men,
heedless of the call of the holder of the watch.――ED.]

81.――Bendy again displayed symptoms of fatigue, and was
tenderly nursed. On coming to the scratch, however, he
planted his left on Caunt’s carcase, and slipped down.

82.――Caunt led off. Bendy retreated to the ropes, and
fell backwards stopping, but instantly jumped up to
recommence hostilities, when Caunt literally ran away
across the ring, with his head down, Bendigo after him,
hitting him on the back of his neck. At length Caunt
reached his corner, and in the scramble which followed,
and in which Caunt seemed to have lost his presence of
mind, both went down, amidst contemptuous shouts at the
imputed pusillanimity of the Champion.

83.――Bendy, on the retreat, hit up; Caunt returned the
compliment on Bendy’s mouth with his left, and on Bendy
attempting to get down he caught him round the neck
with undiminished strength, pulled him up, threw him
over, and fell heavily on him.

84.――Bendy, on being lifted on his second’s knee,
showed blood from the mouth, and was certainly shaken
by the last fall; still he came up boldly, but
cautiously. Caunt rattled to him left and right, but he
retreated towards the stake, which Caunt caught with
his right as he let fly at him, and Bendy slipped down,
receiving a body tap as he fell.

85.――Caunt rushed to his man, but Bendy, on his
attempting to close, got down, unwilling to risk
another heavy fall. He was obviously getting fatigued
from his exertions and the excessive heat of the sun.

The uproar was now greater than ever; the referee was
driven into the ring,[8] and the roaring and bawling in
favour of Bendigo and in contempt of Caunt were beyond
description. We [ED. _Bell’s Life_] were overwhelmed
again and again, and were with difficulty extracted
from a pyramid of our fellow-men by the welcome aid of
Jack Macdonald, our togs torn, and our tile quite
shocking. The exertions of Jem Ward and others enabled
them to restore the referee to his position, but he was
evidently in a twitter, and the whips and sticks often
reached within an inch of his “castor,” while they fell
heavily on the nobs of some of his neighbours. Several
“Corinthians,” who endeavoured to brave the storm, were
involved in the general _mêlée_, and had sufficient
reason to be disgusted with the conduct of the parties
towards whom they are always disposed to vouchsafe
their patronage, and who, as we have already said, with
few exceptions, looked on inactive. [These observations
are coloured, and form part of the “manipulation”
undergone by the “report,” as revised under the
suggestions and supervision of the Caunt and Spring
party. The ruin of their confident hopes was
impending.――ED.]

86.――The Nottingham hero came up nothing daunted, but
with an evident determination to continue to play the
old soldier. Caunt, as usual, evinced a desire to get
to his opponent, but the latter jumped away, and
waiting his opportunity threw in his left heavily on
the big’un’s eye, and, in escaping from the retort,
slipped down.

87.――Caunt, although so repeatedly hit, came up as
fresh and strong as ever (?) He was incapable, however,
of parrying the cunning dodges of Bendy, who again gave
him a stinging rap on the cheek, and, staggering back,
fell, amidst cries of “Foul,” and appeals from Caunt’s
friends to the referee; but in the din which prevailed
no decision was obtained. [They were both fencing for
“time,” and told by the Squire to “go on.”――ED.
“Pugilistica.”]

88.――Two hours had now elapsed, and still there was no
apparent approximation towards a termination of the
combat, while the confusion which prevailed round the
ring prevented anything like a dispassionate criticism
of the operations within. Bendy came up slowly, while
Caunt was evidently disposed to annihilate him, as
indeed his formidable fists induced every one to
believe he would have done long before, but Bendy
prudently kept out of distance until a slight opening
in the guard of Caunt enabled him to jump in and
deliver his left twice in succession, on effecting
which he slipped down, and looked up with a triumphant
leer at the mystified Champion.

89.――Bendy again made himself up for mischief, and,
cleverly avoiding Caunt’s attempt to reach him left and
right, delivered a heavy hit with his right on the
Champion’s ribs, which was distinctly heard amidst the
row; after which he dropped, and Caunt retired to the
corner.

90.――A close, and struggle for the fall, which Caunt
easily obtained, falling heavily on his adversary, and
his knee again happily escaped pressure on a vital
part. From Bendy’s shifty tactics it was impossible for
Caunt to avoid falling as he did. It, however, led to a
fresh appeal by Johnny Hannan, on the part of Bendigo,
and a contradiction by Molyneux on the part of Caunt.
The umpires disagreed, and the question having been put
to the referee, amidst a horrible outcry raised by both
parties, he decided “Fair,” declaring that there was
nothing intentional on the part of Caunt.

91.――A scrambling round. A close, in which, after
having delivered his left, Bendy contrived to get down,
amidst fresh cries of “Foul,” “Fair.”

92.――Exchanges of hits with the left, when Bendy,
stooping to avoid the repetition of Caunt’s blow, as he
was going down struck Caunt below the waistband and
near the bottom of his stomach. Bendy fell on his back
at the moment, while Caunt dropped his hands upon the
place affected, and fell as if in great pain. An
indescribable scene of turmoil ensued; shouts of “Foul”
and “Fair” escaped from “a thousand tongues――a thousand
pair of iron lungs,” many evidently influenced by their
desires and not their convictions. There is no doubt
that the blow, according to the rules of the Ring, was
foul; but that it was intentional we cannot say, as it
was struck when Bendy was in the act of falling. At
last the umpires, disagreeing, made the customary
appeal to the referee, who, almost deafened by the
roaring of the multitude, finally said he had not seen
the blow, and consequently could not pronounce it
foul.[9] The seconds immediately returned to their
principals, and the latter, time being called,
commenced the

93rd and last round.――The men were quickly at the
scratch, and Caunt commenced operating left and right,
catching Bendy slightly on the forehead. Bendigo was
forced back upon the ropes almost in a recumbent
position, but got up and was again knocked down, and
Caunt turned from him, considering the round had
concluded. Bendy, however, awake to every chance of
administering punishment, jumped up as he had done
before, and rushing after Caunt, who was half turned
from him, was about to let fly, when Caunt dropped on
his nether end, evidently disinclined to renew or
continue that round.[10] And now a final, and, as it
turned out, a decisive appeal was made to the referee
(not by the umpires, but by Jem Ward, Hannan, and
others), who, with very little hesitation, pronounced
the fatal word “Foul,” declaring that he considered
Caunt had deliberately violated the rules of the Ring
by going down without a blow, and had therefore lost
the fight. This verdict was hailed with the loudest
vociferations by the roughs, and Bendy, without further
delay, was borne off the scene of his unexpected
triumph by his partisans, and carried to his carriage
amidst reiterated acclamations. So sudden was this
issue to the affair that thousands were for some time
unable to discover who was the real victor, many
imagining that the foul blow in the previous round had
led to the decision being against Bendigo. It was only
by those immediately contiguous to the ring that the
true state of the case was known; and the mortification
and disappointment of the friends of Caunt, who stood
up immediately afterwards to renew the fight, were
beyond description. Caunt himself, as well as Spring
and his seconds, was incredulous as to the result, but
personal application to the referee, who had escaped
from the rabble, left no doubt on the subject. He
declared “he had seen Caunt go down without a blow, and
that upon his conviction of the unfairness of such
conduct, he had pronounced against him.” Spring
remarked that there had been clearly an exchange of
blows; that to all appearance the round had been
finished; and that when Caunt went down he did so from
a determination not to be taken by surprise or to renew
the struggle till “time” was again called. The referee
said, in answer, he was not aware of this fact, nor had
such a representation been made to him. He judged from
what he saw in the overwhelming difficulties in which
he was placed, and he had given his decision
accordingly. He had been chosen referee by both
parties, and he had accepted the office against his own
inclination. In discharging his duty he had done so
impartially to the best of his abilities, and certainly
had no bias in favour of one man or the other. What he
had said could not now be recalled, and therefore the
business was at an end. We must here repeat that the
umpires were not consulted, nor did they express any
difference of opinion. It was the duty of the referee
to have withheld his decision till properly appealed
to, not by the interested partisans, but by the
appointed officials, who were on the other side of the
ring from him, and could hold no immediate
communication with him. He ought to have been placed
between those persons. He was clearly bullied and
hurried into a premature judgment. Had he been allowed
to reflect, we are persuaded he would have hesitated in
pronouncing a fiat which the state of Bendigo rendered
almost indispensable to his success.

The time occupied by “the battle,” such as it was,
according to our watch, when we could venture to have a
peep at it, was two hours and ten minutes. We do not
intend to speak to a minute, nor is a minute more or
less important on this occasion, few bets having been
made on “time,” and those certainly not having
reference to so long a period as that recorded. We
heard that long odds were taken that Caunt won in half
an hour, and others that Bendy would not be licked, if
at all, in one hour, and these are of course settled by
the issue of the fight, as well as the first blood and
first knock-down blow, both of which were properly
booked to Bendy. On Bendy reaching his carriage, we are
informed he was dreadfully exhausted from the
repetition of heavy falls to which he had been exposed,
as well as his own continued exertions under a broiling
sun; but his punishment being of comparatively a
trifling description, he soon recovered on the
application of proper restoratives. The only
perceptible marks of the visitations of Caunt to his
cranium were a cut over his right eye, a few contusions
of the cheek, mouth, scalp, and forehead, and a little
enlargement of his auricular organ. He was quickly
conveyed from the ground to his “quarters,” both he and
his friends highly elated at the result of their
operations. Caunt, on quitting the arena, although
displaying convincing marks of the severity with which
his opponent could use his mawleys, was strong on his
legs, but dreadfully mortified at having been thus
suddenly stripped of his laurels, and deprived of the
proud distinction which he had so long held. Spring,
who had throughout acted as his _fidus Achates_, was
not less mentally depressed; he was “dead beat,” not
only from his incessant exertions to procure “fair
play” throughout the fight and the cowardly assaults to
which he was exposed, but from a perfect conviction
that the decision against his man was not only
premature, but utterly opposed to the rules of the
Ring. He lost no time in returning with Caunt to the
Cock, at Stony Stratford, and the great event of the
day having been concluded, the immense multitude
followed suit. The scenes exhibited on the road home
were of the most extraordinary description. Every house
of entertainment was besieged, and the call for swizzle
so continuous that many of the best-filled cellars were
exhausted, and even water at last became an acceptable
luxury to those who never pretended to be patrons of
the hydropathic system. We have neither time nor space
however to dwell on these vicissitudes, and shall
proceed at once to offer such general observations as
the events of the day seem to warrant.

REMARKS.――Upon the character of “the Great Fight for
the Championship of England,” we have no doubt our
readers have formed their own opinions. During the last
thirty years it has been our fate to witness almost
every important battle in the P.R., but we confess,
although we have occasionally had to record
transactions of the most discreditable description, and
to administer castigation to wrong-doers in no measured
terms, the proceedings on Tuesday far exceed in
enormity anything we had before witnessed.

With regard to the pretensions of the two men who took
so prominent a part in the day’s proceedings, few
remarks are necessary. Caunt, although a big man, and
possessed of great physical strength, does not possess
the attributes of an accomplished boxer. He is
deficient in science, and wants the art of using the
gifts of nature with that tact and precision which are
calculated to ensure success. There was a wildness and
indecision in his deliveries which prevented his doing
execution, and the major part of his blows either flew
over Bendigo’s head or were short or wide of their
destination. Had he been steady and self-possessed, and
hitting at points, this would not have been the case,
and did he understand the perfect art of self-defence,
four-fifths of the punishment he received might have
been avoided; but he left himself open to attack, and
thus his opponent was enabled to plant on him with
stinging severity. With a man of his own bulk the case
might have been different; and perhaps there are few if
any of the present day who would prove superior to him
in fair fighting.

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

“_To the Editor of_ ‘BELL’S LIFE IN LONDON.’

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

“I am, your obedient servant,
“THE OLD SQUIRE.
“Doncaster, Sept. 18th, 1845.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE FIGHT.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

31.――Wild fighting; Bendy down to avoid.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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