Once,theslavesofHell\'sBottomprotestedtoVanderwater。ItwasthetimeoftheyearwhenhespentseveralmonthsinKingsbury。Oneoftheslavescouldwrite;itchancedthathismothercouldwrite,andshehadsecretlytaughthimashermotherhadsecretlytaughther。Sothisslavewrotearoundrobin,whereinwascontainedtheirgrievances,andalltheslavessignedbymark。And,withproperstampsupontheenvelope,theroundrobinwasmailedtoRogerVanderwater。AndRogerVanderwaterdidnothing,savetoturntheroundrobinovertothetwooverseers。ClancyandMunsterwereangered。Theyturnedtheguardslooseatnightontheslavepen。Theguardswerearmedwithpickhandles。ItissaidthatnextdayonlyhalfoftheslaveswereabletoworkinHell\'sBottom。Theywerewellbeaten。Theslavewhocouldwritewassobadlybeatenthathelivedonlythreemonths。Butbeforehedied,hewroteoncemore,towhatpurposeyoushallhear。
Fourorfiveweeksafterward,TomDixon,aslave,hadhisarmtornoffbyabeltinHell\'sBottom。Hisfellow-workmen,asusual,madeagranttohimfromthefund,andClancyandMunster,asusual,refusedtopayitoverfromthefund。Theslavewhocouldwrite,andwhoeventhenwasdying,wroteanewarecitaloftheirgrievances。AndthisdocumentwasthrustintothehandofthearmthathadbeentornfromTomDixon\'sbody。
NowitchancedthatRogerVanderwaterwaslyingillinhispalaceattheotherendofKingsbury——notthedireillnessthatstrikesdownyouandme,brothers;justabitofbiliousness,mayhap,ornomorethanabadheadachebecausehehadeatentooheartilyordrunktoodeeply。Butitwasenoughforhim,beingtenderandsoftfromcarefulrearing。Suchmen,packedincottonwoolalltheirlives,areexceedingtenderandsoft。Believeme,brothers,RogerVanderwaterfeltasbadlywithhisachinghead,orTHOUGHT
hefeltasbadly,asTomDixonreallyfeltwithhisarmtornoutbytheroots。
IthappenedthatRogerVanderwaterwasfondofscientificfarming,andthatonhisfarm,threemilesoutsideofKingsbury,hehadmanagedtogrowanewkindofstrawberry。Hewasveryproudofthatnewstrawberryofhis,andhewouldhavebeenouttoseeandpickthefirstripeones,haditnotbeenforhisillness。Becauseofhisillnesshehadorderedtheoldfarmslavetobringinpersonallythefirstboxoftheberries。Allthiswaslearnedfromthegossipofapalacescullion,whoslepteachnightintheslavepen。Theoverseeroftheplantationshouldhavebroughtintheberries,buthewasonhisbackwithabrokenlegfromtryingtobreakacolt。Thescullionbroughtthewordinthenight,anditwasknownthatnextdaytheberrieswouldcomein。AndthemenintheslavepenofHell\'sBottom,beingmenandnotcowards,heldacouncil。
Theslavewhocouldwrite,andwhowassickanddyingfromthepick-handlebeating,saidhewouldcarryTomDixon\'sarm;also,hesaidhemustdieanyway,andthatitmatterednothingifhediedalittlesooner。Sofiveslavesstolefromtheslavepenthatnightaftertheguardshadmadetheirlastrounds。Oneoftheslaveswasthemanwhocouldwrite。Theylayinthebrushbytheroadsideuntillateinthemorning,whentheoldfarmslavecamedrivingtotownwiththepreciousfruitforthemaster。Whatofthefarmslavebeingoldandrheumatic,andoftheslavewhocouldwritebeingstiffandinjuredfromhisbeating,theymovedtheirbodiesaboutwhentheywalked,verymuchinthesamefashion。Theslavewhocouldwriteputontheother\'sclothes,pulledthebroad-brimmedhatoverhiseyes,climbedupontheseatofthewagon,anddroveontotown。Theoldfarmslavewaskepttiedalldayinthebushesuntilevening,whentheothersloosedhimandwentbacktotheslavepentotaketheirpunishmentforhavingbrokenbounds。
Inthemeantime,RogerVanderwaterlaywaitingfortheberriesinhiswonderfulbedroom——suchwondersandsuchcomfortsweretherethattheywouldhaveblindedtheeyesofyouandmewhohaveneverseensuchthings。
TheslavewhocouldwritesaidafterwardthatitwaslikeaglimpseofParadise!Andwhynot?Thelabourandthelivesoftenthousandslaveshadgonetothemakingofthatbedchamber,whiletheythemselvessleptinvilelairslikewildbeasts。Theslavewhocouldwritebroughtintheberriesonasilvertrayorplatter——yousee,RogerVanderwaterwantedtospeakwithhiminpersonabouttheberries。
TheslavewhocouldwritetotteredhisdyingbodyacrossthewonderfulroomandkneltbythecouchofVanderwater,holdingoutbeforehimthetray。
Largegreenleavescoveredthetopofthetray,andthesethebody-servantalongsidewhiskedawaysothatVanderwatercouldsee。AndRogerVanderwater,proppeduponhiselbow,saw。Hesawthefresh,wonderfulfruitlyingtherelikepreciousjewels,andinthemidstofitthearmofTomDixonasithadbeentornfromhisbody,wellwashed,ofcourse,mybrothers,andverywhiteagainsttheblood-redfruit。Andalsohesaw,clutchedinthestiff,deadfingers,thepetitionofhisslaveswhotoiledinHell\'sBottom。
\"Takeandread,\"saidtheslavewhocouldwrite。Andevenasthemastertookthepetition,thebody-servant,whotillthenhadbeenmotionlesswithsurprise,struckwithhisfistthekneelingslaveuponthemouth。Theslavewasdyinganyway,andwasveryweak,anddidnotmind。Hemadenosound,and,havingfallenoveronhisside,helaytherequietly,bleedingfromtheblowonthemouth。Thephysician,whohadrunforthepalaceguards,camebackwiththem,andtheslavewasdraggeduprightuponhisfeet。Butastheydraggedhimup,hishandclutchedTomDixon\'sarmfromwhereithadfallenonthefloor。
\"Heshallbeflungalivetothehounds!\"thebody-servantwascryingingreatwrath。\"Heshallbeflungalivetothehounds!\"
ButRogerVanderwater,forgettinghisheadache,stillleaningonhiselbow,commandedsilence,andwentonreadingthepetition。Andwhileheread,therewassilence,allstandingupright,thewrathfulbody-servant,thephysician,thepalaceguards,andintheirmidsttheslave,bleedingatthemouthandstillholdingTomDixon\'sarm。AndwhenRogerVanderwaterhaddone,heturnedupontheslave,saying——
\"Ifinthispapertherebeonelie,youshallbesorrythatyouwereeverborn。\"
Andtheslavesaid,\"IhavebeensorryallmylifethatIwasborn。\"
RogerVanderwaterlookedathimclosely,andtheslavesaid——
\"Youhavedoneyourworsttome。Iamdyingnow。InaweekIshallbedead,soitdoesnotmatterifyoukillmenow。\"
\"Whatdoyouwiththat?\"themasterasked,pointingtothearm;andtheslavemadeanswer——
\"Itakeitbacktothepentogiveitburial。TomDixonwasmyfriend。Weworkedbesideeachotheratourlooms。\"
Thereislittlemoretomytale,brothers。Theslaveandthearmweresentbackinacarttothepen。Norwereanyoftheslavespunishedforwhattheyhaddone。Indeed,RogerVanderwatermadeinvestigationandpunishedthetwooverseers,JosephClancyandAdolphMunster。Theirfreeholdsweretakenfromthem。Theywerebranded,eachupontheforehead,theirrighthandswerecutoff,andtheywereturnedlooseuponthehighwaytowanderandbeguntiltheydied。Andthefundwasmanagedrightfullythereafterforatime——foratimeonly,mybrothers;forafterRogerVanderwatercamehisson,Albert,whowasacruelmasterandhalfmad。
Brothers,thatslavewhocarriedthearmintothepresenceofthemasterwasmyfather。Hewasabraveman。Andevenashismothersecretlytaughthimtoread,sodidheteachme。Becausehediedshortlyafterfromthepick-handlebeating,RogerVanderwatertookmeoutoftheslavepenandtriedtomakevariousbetterthingsoutofme。ImighthavebecomeanoverseerinHell\'sBottom,butIchosetobecomeastory-teller,wanderingoverthelandandgettingclosetomybrothers,theslaves,everywhere。
AndItellyoustorieslikethis,secretly,knowingthatyouwillnotbetrayme;forifyoudid,youknowaswellasIthatmytonguewillbetornoutandthatIshalltellstoriesnomore。Andmymessageis,brothers,thatthereisagoodtimecoming,whenallwillbewellintheworldandtherewillbeneithermastersnorslaves。Butfirstyoumustprepareforthatgoodtimebylearningtoread。Thereispowerintheprintedword。AndhereamItoteachyoutoread,andaswellthereareotherstoseethatyougetthebookswhenIamgonealonguponmyway——thehistorybookswhereinyouwilllearnaboutyourmasters,andlearntobecomestrongevenasthey。
[EDITOR\'SNOTE——From\"HistoricalFragmentsandSketches,\"firstpublishedinfiftyvolumesin4427,andnow,aftertwohundredyears,becauseofitsaccuracyandvalue,editedandrepublishedbytheNationalCommitteeonHistoricalResearch。]
APIECEOFSTEAK
WiththelastmorselofbreadTomKingwipedhisplatecleanofthelastparticleofflourgravyandchewedtheresultingmouthfulinaslowandmeditativeway。Whenhearosefromthetable,hewasoppressedbythefeelingthathewasdistinctlyhungry。Yethealonehadeaten。Thetwochildrenintheotherroomhadbeensentearlytobedinorderthatinsleeptheymightforgettheyhadgonesupperless。Hiswifehadtouchednothing,andhadsatsilentlyandwatchedhimwithsolicitouseyes。Shewasathin,wornwomanoftheworking-class,thoughsignsofanearlierprettinesswerenotwantinginherface。TheflourforthegravyshehadborrowedfromtheneighbouracrossthehallThelasttwoha\'pennieshadgonetobuythebread。
Hesatdownbythewindowonaricketychairthatprotestedunderhisweight,andquitemechanicallyheputhispipeinhismouthanddippedintothesidepocketofhiscoat。Theabsenceofanytobaccomadehimawareofhisaction,and,withascowlforhisforgetfulness,heputthepipeaway。
Hismovementswereslow,almosthulking,asthoughhewereburdenedbytheheavyweightofhismuscles。Hewasasolid-bodied,stolid-lookingman,andhisappearancedidnotsufferfrombeingoverprepossessing。Hisroughclotheswereoldandslouchy。Theuppersofhisshoesweretooweaktocarrytheheavyre-solingthatwasitselfofnorecentdate。Andhiscottonshirt,acheap,twoshillingaffair,showedafrayedcollarandineradicablepaintstains。
ButitwasTomKing\'sfacethatadvertisedhimunmistakablyforwhathewas。Itwasthefaceofatypicalprize-fighter;ofonewhohadputinlongyearsofserviceinthesquaredringand,bythatmeans,developedandemphasizedallthemarksofthefightingbeast。Itwasdistinctlyaloweringcountenance,and,thatnofeatureofitmightescapenotice,itwasclean-shaven。Thelipswereshapelessandconstitutedamouthharshtoexcess,thatwaslikeagashinhisface。Thejawwasaggressive,brutal,heavy。Theeyes,slowofmovementandheavy-lidded,werealmostexpressionlessundertheshaggy,indrawnbrows。Sheeranimalthathewas,theeyeswerethemostanimal-likefeatureabouthim。Theyweresleepy,lion-like——theeyesofafightinganimal。Theforeheadslantedquicklybacktothehair,which,clippedclose,showedeverybumpofavillainous-
lookinghead。Anosetwicebrokenandmouldedvariouslybycountlessblows,andacauliflowerear,permanentlyswollenanddistortedtotwiceitssize,completedhisadornment,whilethebeard,fresh-shavenasitwas,sproutedintheskinandgavethefaceablue-blackstain。
Altogether,itwasthefaceofamantobeafraidofinadarkalleyorlonelyplace。AndyetTomKingwasnotacriminal,norhadheeverdoneanythingcriminal。Outsideofbrawls,commontohiswalkinlife,hehadharmednoone。Norhadheeverbeenknowntopickaquarrel。Hewasaprofessional,andallthefightingbrutishnessofhimwasreservedforhisprofessionalappearances。Outsidetheringhewasslow-going,easy-
natured,and,inhisyoungerdays,whenmoneywasflush,tooopen-handedforhisowngood。Heborenogrudgesandhadfewenemies。Fightingwasabusinesswithhim。Intheringhestrucktohurt,strucktomaim,strucktodestroy;buttherewasnoanimusinit。Itwasaplainbusinessproposition。Audiencesassembledandpaidforthespectacleofmenknockingeachotherout。Thewinnertookthebigendofthepurse。WhenTomKingfacedtheWoolloomoollooGouger,twentyyearsbefore,heknewthattheGouger\'sjawwasonlyfourmonthshealedafterhavingbeenbrokeninaNewcastlebout。Andhehadplayedforthatjawandbrokenitagainintheninthround,notbecauseheboretheGougeranyill-will,butbecausethatwasthesurestwaytoputtheGougeroutandwinthebigendofthepurse。
NorhadtheGougerbornehimanyill-willforit。Itwasthegame,andbothknewthegameandplayedit。
TomKinghadneverbeenatalker,andhesatbythewindow,moroselysilent,staringathishands。Theveinsstoodoutonthebacksofthehands,largeandswollen;andtheknuckles,smashedandbatteredandmalformed,testifiedtotheusetowhichtheyhadbeenput。Hehadneverheardthataman\'slifewasthelifeofhisarteries,butwellheknewthemeaningofthosebigupstandingveins。Hishearthadpumpedtoomuchbloodthroughthemattoppressure。Theynolongerdidthework。Hehadstretchedtheelasticityoutofthem,andwiththeirdistensionhadpassedhisendurance。Hetiredeasilynow。Nolongercouldhedoafasttwentyrounds,hammerandtongs,fight,fight,fight,fromgongtogong,withfiercerallyontopoffiercerally,beatentotheropesandinturnbeatinghisopponenttotheropes,andrallyingfiercestandfastestofallinthatlast,twentiethround,withthehouseonitsfeetandyelling,himselfrushing,striking,ducking,rainingshowersofblowsuponshowersofblowsandreceivingshowersofblowsinreturn,andallthetimetheheartfaithfullypumpingthesurgingbloodthroughtheadequateveins。Theveins,swollenatthetime,hadalwaysshrunkdownagain,thougheachtime,imperceptiblyatfirst,notquite——remainingjustatriflelargerthanbefore。Hestaredatthemandathisbatteredknuckles,and,forthemoment,caughtavisionoftheyouthfulexcellenceofthosehandsbeforethefirstknucklehadbeensmashedontheheadofBennyJones,otherwiseknownastheWelshTerror。
Theimpressionofhishungercamebackonhim。
\"Blimey,butcouldn\'tIgoapieceofsteak!\"hemutteredaloud,clenchinghishugefistsandspittingoutasmotheredoath。
\"ItriedbothBurke\'san\'Sawley\'s,\"hiswifesaidhalfapologetically。
\"An\'theywouldn\'t?\"hedemanded。
\"Notaha\'penny。Burkesaid——\"Shefaltered。
\"G\'wan!Wot\'dhesay?\"
\"Ashow\'ewasthinkin\'Sandeluddoyeto-night,an\'ashowyerscorewascomfortablebigasitwas。\"
TomKinggrunted,butdidnotreply。Hewasbusythinkingofthebullterrierhehadkeptinhisyoungerdaystowhichhehadfedsteakswithoutend。Burkewouldhavegivenhimcreditforathousandsteaks——then。Buttimeshadchanged。TomKingwasgettingold;andoldmen,fightingbeforesecond-rateclubs,couldn\'texpecttorunbillsofanysizewiththetradesmen。
Hehadgotupinthemorningwithalongingforapieceofsteak,andthelonginghadnotabated。Hehadnothadafairtrainingforthisfight。ItwasadroughtyearinAustralia,timeswerehard,andeventhemostirregularworkwasdifficulttofind。Hehadhadnosparringpartner,andhisfoodhadnotbeenofthebestnoralwayssufficient。Hehaddoneafewdays\'navvyworkwhenhecouldgetit,andhehadrunaroundtheDomainintheearlymorningstogethislegsinshape。Butitwashard,trainingwithoutapartnerandwithawifeandtwokiddiesthatmustbefed。CreditwiththetradesmenhadundergoneveryslightexpansionwhenhewasmatchedwithSandel。ThesecretaryoftheGayetyClubhadadvancedhimthreepounds——theloser\'sendofthepurse——andbeyondthathadrefusedtogo。
Nowandagainhehadmanagedtoborrowafewshillingsfromoldpals,whowouldhavelentmoreonlythatitwasadroughtyearandtheywerehardputthemselves。No——andtherewasnouseindisguisingthefact——histraininghadnotbeensatisfactory。Heshouldhavehadbetterfoodandnoworries。
Besides,whenamanisforty,itishardertogetintoconditionthanwhenheistwenty。
\"Whattimeisit,Lizzie?\"heasked。
Hiswifewentacrossthehalltoinquire,andcameback。
\"Quarterbeforeeight。\"
\"They\'llbestartin\'thefirstboutinafewminutes,\"hesaid。\"Onlyatry-out。Thenthere\'safour-roundspar\'tweenDealerWellsan\'Gridley,an\'aten-roundgo\'tweenStarlightan\'somesailorbloke。Idon\'tcomeonforoveranhour。\"
Attheendofanothersilenttenminutes,herosetohisfeet。
\"Truthis,Lizzie,Iain\'thadpropertrainin\'。\"
Hereachedforhishatandstartedforthedoor。Hedidnotoffertokissher——heneverdidongoingout——butonthisnightshedaredtokisshim,throwingherarmsaroundhimandcompellinghimtobenddowntoherface。
Shelookedquitesmallagainstthemassivebulkoftheman。
\"Goodluck,Tom,\"shesaid。\"Yougotterdo\'im。\"
\"Ay,Igotterdo\'im,\"herepeated。\"That\'sallthereistoit。Ijus\'
gotterdo\'im。\"
Helaughedwithanattemptatheartiness,whileshepressedmorecloselyagainsthim。Acrosshershouldershelookedaroundthebareroom。Itwasallhehadintheworld,withtherentoverdue,andherandthekiddies。
Andhewasleavingittogooutintothenighttogetmeatforhismateandcubs——notlikeamodernworking-mangoingtohismachinegrind,butintheold,primitive,royal,animalway,byfightingforit。
\"Igotterdo\'im,\"herepeated,thistimeahintofdesperationinhisvoice。\"Ifit\'sawin,it\'sthirtyquid——an\'Icanpayallthat\'sowin\',withalumpo\'moneyleftover。Ifit\'salose,Igetnaught——notevenapennyformetoridehomeonthetram。Thesecretary\'sgiveallthat\'scomin\'fromaloser\'send。Good-bye,oldwoman。I\'llcomestraighthomeifit\'sawin。\"
\"An\'I\'llbewaitin\'up,\"shecalledtohimalongthehall。
ItwasfulltwomilestotheGayety,andashewalkedalongherememberedhowinhispalmydays——hehadoncebeentheheavyweightchampionofNewSouthWales——hewouldhaveriddeninacabtothefight,andhow,mostlikely,someheavybackerwouldhavepaidforthecabandriddenwithhim。
TherewereTommyBurnsandthatYankeenigger,JackJohnson——theyrodeaboutinmotor-cars。Andhewalked!And,asanymanknew,ahardtwomileswasnotthebestpreliminarytoafight。Hewasanoldun,andtheworlddidnotwagwellwitholduns。Hewasgoodfornothingnowexceptnavvywork,andhisbrokennoseandswollenearwereagainsthimeveninthat。Hefoundhimselfwishingthathehadlearnedatrade。Itwouldhavebeenbetterinthelongrun。Butnoonehadtoldhim,andheknew,deepdowninhisheart,thathewouldnothavelistenediftheyhad。Ithadbeensoeasy。Bigmoney——sharp,gloriousfights——periodsofrestandloafinginbetween——afollowingofeagerflatterers,theslapsontheback,theshakesofthehand,thetoffsgladtobuyhimadrinkfortheprivilegeoffiveminutes\'talk——andthegloryofit,theyellinghouses,thewhirlwindfinish,thereferee\'s\"Kingwins!\"andhisnameinthesportingcolumnsnextday。
Thosehadbeentimes!Butherealizednow,inhisslow,ruminatingway,thatitwastheoldunshehadbeenputtingaway。HewasYouth,rising;
andtheywereAge,sinking。Nowonderithadbeeneasy——theywiththeirswollenveinsandbatteredknucklesandwearyinthebonesofthemfromthelongbattlestheyhadalreadyfought。HerememberedthetimeheputoutoldStowsherBill,atRush-CuttersBay,intheeighteenthround,andhowoldBillhadcriedafterwardinthedressing-roomlikeababy。PerhapsoldBill\'srenthadbeenoverdue。Perhapshe\'dhadathomeamissusan\'acoupleofkiddies。AndperhapsBill,thatverydayofthefight,hadhadahungeringforapieceofsteak。Billhadfoughtgameandtakenincrediblepunishment。Hecouldseenow,afterhehadgonethroughthemillhimself,thatStowsherBillhadfoughtforabiggerstake,thatnighttwentyyearsago,thanhadyoungTomKing,whohadfoughtforgloryandeasymoney。NowonderStowsherBillhadcriedafterwardinthedressing-room。
Well,amanhadonlysomanyfightsinhim,tobeginwith。Itwastheironlawofthegame。Onemanmighthaveahundredhardfightsinhim,anothermanonlytwenty;each,accordingtothemakeofhimandthequalityofhisfibre,hadadefinitenumber,and,whenhehadfoughtthem,hewasdone。
Yes,hehadhadmorefightsinhimthanmostofthem,andhehadhadfarmorethanhisshareofthehard,gruellingfights——thekindthatworkedtheheartandlungstobursting,thattooktheelasticoutofthearteriesandmadehardknotsofmuscleoutofYouth\'ssleeksuppleness,thatworeoutnerveandstaminaandmadebrainandboneswearyfromexcessofeffortandenduranceoverwrought。Yes,hehaddonebetterthanallofthem。Therewerenoneofhisoldfightingpartnersleft。Hewasthelastoftheoldguard。Hehadseenthemallfinished,andhehadhadahandinfinishingsomeofthem。
Theyhadtriedhimoutagainsttheolduns,andoneafteranotherhehadputthemaway——laughingwhen,likeoldStowsherBill,theycriedinthedressing-room。Andnowhewasanoldun,andtheytriedouttheyoungstersonhim。Therewasthatbloke,Sandel。HehadcomeoverfromNewZealandwitharecordbehindhim。ButnobodyinAustraliaknewanythingabouthim,sotheyputhimupagainstoldTomKing。IfSandelmadeashowing,hewouldbegivenbettermentofight,withbiggerpursestowin;soitwastobedependeduponthathewouldputupafiercebattle。Hehadeverythingtowinbyit——moneyandgloryandcareer;andTomKingwasthegrizzledoldchopping-blockthatguardedthehighwaytofameandfortune。Andhehadnothingtowinexceptthirtyquid,topaytothelandlordandthetradesmen。And,asTomKingthusruminated,therecametohisstolidvisiontheformofYouth,gloriousYouth,risingexultantandinvincible,suppleofmuscleandsilkenofskin,withheartandlungsthathadneverbeentiredandtornandthatlaughedatlimitationofeffort。Yes,YouthwastheNemesis。Itdestroyedtheoldunsandreckednotthat,insodoing,itdestroyeditself。Itenlargeditsarteriesandsmasheditsknuckles,andwasinturndestroyedbyYouth。ForYouthwaseveryouthful。
ItwasonlyAgethatgrewold。
AtCastlereaghStreetheturnedtotheleft,andthreeblocksalongcametotheGayety。Acrowdofyounglarrikinshangingoutsidethedoormaderespectfulwayforhim,andheheardonesaytoanother:\"That\'s\'im!
That\'sTomKing!\"
Inside,onthewaytohisdressing-room,heencounteredthesecretary,akeen-eyed,shrewd-facedyoungman,whoshookhishand。
\"Howareyoufeelin\',Tom?\"heasked。
\"Fitasafiddle,\"Kinganswered,thoughheknewthathelied,andthatifhehadaquid,hewouldgiveitrightthereforagoodpieceofsteak。
Whenheemergedfromthedressing-room,hissecondsbehindhim,andcamedowntheaisletothesquaredringinthecentreofthehall,aburstofgreetingandapplausewentupfromthewaitingcrowd。Heacknowledgedsalutationsrightandleft,thoughfewofthefacesdidheknow。Mostofthemwerethefacesofkiddiesunbornwhenhewaswinninghisfirstlaurelsinthesquaredring。Heleapedlightlytotheraisedplatformandduckedthroughtheropestohiscorner,wherehesatdownonafoldingstool。
JackBall,thereferee,cameoverandshookhishand。Ballwasabroken-
downpugilistwhoforovertenyearshadnotenteredtheringasaprincipal。Kingwasgladthathehadhimforreferee。Theywerebotholduns。IfheshouldroughitwithSandelabitbeyondtherules,heknewBallcouldbedependedupontopassitby。
Aspiringyoungheavyweights,oneafteranother,wereclimbingintotheringandbeingpresentedtotheaudiencebythereferee。Also,heissuedtheirchallengesforthem。
\"YoungPronto,\"Billannounced,\"fromNorthSydney,challengesthewinnerforfiftypoundssidebet。\"
Theaudienceapplauded,andapplaudedagainasSandelhimselfsprangthroughtheropesandsatdowninhiscorner。TomKinglookedacrosstheringathimcuriously,forinafewminutestheywouldbelockedtogetherinmercilesscombat,eachtryingwithalltheforceofhimtoknocktheotherintounconsciousness。Butlittlecouldhesee,forSandel,likehimself,hadtrousersandsweateronoverhisringcostume。Hisfacewasstronglyhandsome,crownedwithacurlymopofyellowhair,whilehisthick,muscularneckhintedatbodilymagnificence。
YoungProntowenttoonecornerandthentheother,shakinghandswiththeprincipalsanddroppingdownoutofthering。Thechallengeswenton。
EverYouthclimbedthroughtheropes——Youthunknown,butinsatiable——cryingouttomankindthatwithstrengthandskillitwouldmatchissueswiththewinner。Afewyearsbefore,inhisownheydayofinvincibleness,TomKingwouldhavebeenamusedandboredbythesepreliminaries。Butnowhesatfascinated,unabletoshakethevisionofYouthfromhiseyes。Alwaysweretheseyoungstersrisingupintheboxinggame,springingthroughtheropesandshoutingtheirdefiance;andalwaysweretheoldunsgoingdownbeforethem。Theyclimbedtosuccessoverthebodiesoftheolduns。Andevertheycame,moreandmoreyoungsters——Youthunquenchableandirresistible——
andevertheyputtheoldunsaway,themselvesbecomingoldunsandtravellingthesamedownwardpath,whilebehindthem,everpressingonthem,wasYoutheternal——thenewbabies,grownlustyanddraggingtheireldersdown,withbehindthemmorebabiestotheendoftime——Youththatmusthaveitswillandthatwillneverdie。
KingglancedovertothepressboxandnoddedtoMorgan,oftheSportsman,andCorbett,oftheReferee。Thenheheldouthishands,whileSidSullivanandCharleyBates,hisseconds,slippedonhisglovesandlacedthemtight,closelywatchedbyoneofSandel\'sseconds,whofirstexaminedcriticallythetapesonKing\'sknuckles。AsecondofhisownwasinSandel\'scorner,performingalikeoffice。Sandel\'strouserswerepulledoff,and,ashestoodup,hissweaterwasskinnedoffoverhishead。AndTomKing,looking,sawYouthincarnate,deep-chested,heavy-thewed,withmusclesthatslippedandslidlikelivethingsunderthewhitesatinskin。
Thewholebodywasa-crawlwithlife,andTomKingknewthatitwasalifethathadneveroozeditsfreshnessoutthroughtheachingporesduringthelongfightswhereinYouthpaiditstollanddepartednotquitesoyoungaswhenitentered。
Thetwomenadvancedtomeeteachother,and,asthegongsoundedandthesecondsclatteredoutoftheringwiththefoldingstools,theyshookhandsandinstantlytooktheirfightingattitudes。Andinstantly,likeamechanismofsteelandspringsbalancedonahairtrigger,Sandelwasinandoutandinagain,landingalefttotheeyes,arighttotheribs,duckingacounter,dancinglightlyawayanddancingmenacinglybackagain。
Hewasswiftandclever。Itwasadazzlingexhibition。Thehouseyelleditsapprobation。ButKingwasnotdazzled。Hehadfoughttoomanyfightsandtoomanyyoungsters。Heknewtheblowsforwhattheywere——tooquickandtoodefttobedangerous。EvidentlySandelwasgoingtorushthingsfromthestart。Itwastobeexpected。ItwasthewayofYouth,expendingitssplendourandexcellenceinwildinsurgenceandfuriousonslaught,overwhelmingoppositionwithitsownunlimitedgloryofstrengthanddesire。
Sandelwasinandout,here,there,andeverywhere,light-footedandeager-
hearted,alivingwonderofwhitefleshandstingingmusclethatwoveitselfintoadazzlingfabricofattack,slippingandleapinglikeaflyingshuttlefromactiontoactionthroughathousandactions,allofthemcentreduponthedestructionofTomKing,whostoodbetweenhimandfortune。AndTomKingpatientlyendured。Heknewhisbusiness,andheknewYouthnowthatYouthwasnolongerhis。Therewasnothingtodotilltheotherlostsomeofhissteam,washisthought,andhegrinnedtohimselfashedeliberatelyduckedsoastoreceiveaheavyblowonthetopofhishead。Itwasawickedthingtodo,yeteminentlyfairaccordingtotherulesoftheboxinggame。Amanwassupposedtotakecareofhisownknuckles,and,ifheinsistedonhittinganopponentonthetopofthehead,hedidsoathisownperil。Kingcouldhaveduckedlowerandlettheblowwhizharmlesslypast,butherememberedhisownearlyfightsandhowhesmashedhisfirstknuckleontheheadoftheWelshTerror。Hewasbutplayingthegame。ThatduckhadaccountedforoneofSandel\'sknuckles。
NotthatSandelwouldminditnow。Hewouldgoon,superblyregardless,hittingashardaseverthroughoutthefight。Butlateron,whenthelongringbattleshadbeguntotell,hewouldregretthatknuckleandlookbackandrememberhowhesmasheditonTomKing\'shead。
ThefirstroundwasallSandel\'s,andhehadthehouseyellingwiththerapidityofhiswhirlwindrushes。HeoverwhelmedKingwithavalanchesofpunches,andKingdidnothing。Heneverstruckonce,contentinghimselfwithcoveringup,blockingandduckingandclinchingtoavoidpunishment。
Heoccasionallyfeinted,shookhisheadwhentheweightofapunchlanded,andmovedstolidlyabout,neverleapingorspringingorwastinganounceofstrength。SandelmustfoamthefrothofYouthawaybeforediscreetAgecoulddaretoretaliate。AllKing\'smovementswereslowandmethodical,andhisheavy-lidded,slow-movingeyesgavehimtheappearanceofbeinghalfasleepordazed。Yettheywereeyesthatsaweverything,thathadbeentrainedtoseeeverythingthroughallhistwentyyearsandoddinthering。Theywereeyesthatdidnotblinkorwaverbeforeanimpendingblow,butthatcoollysawandmeasureddistance。
Seatedinhiscornerfortheminute\'srestattheendoftheround,helaybackwithoutstretchedlegs,hisarmsrestingontherightangleoftheropes,hischestandabdomenheavingfranklyanddeeplyashegulpeddowntheairdrivenbythetowelsofhisseconds。Helistenedwithclosedeyestothevoicesofthehouse,\"Whydon\'tyehfight,Tom?\"manywerecrying。
\"Yehain\'tafraidof\'im,areyeh?\"
\"Muscle-bound,\"heheardamanonafrontseatcomment。\"Hecan\'tmovequicker。TwotooneonSandel,inquids。\"
Thegongstruckandthetwomenadvancedfromtheircorners。Sandelcameforwardfullythree-quartersofthedistance,eagertobeginagain;butKingwascontenttoadvancetheshorterdistance。Itwasinlinewithhispolicyofeconomy。Hehadnotbeenwelltrained,andhehadnothadenoughtoeat,andeverystepcounted。Besides,hehadalreadywalkedtwomilestotheringside。Itwasarepetitionofthefirstround,withSandelattackinglikeawhirlwindandwiththeaudienceindignantlydemandingwhyKingdidnotfight。Beyondfeintingandseveralslowlydeliveredandineffectualblowshedidnothingsaveblockandstallandclinch。Sandelwantedtomakethepacefast,whileKing,outofhiswisdom,refusedtoaccommodatehim。Hegrinnedwithacertainwistfulpathosinhisring-
batteredcountenance,andwentoncherishinghisstrengthwiththejealousyofwhichonlyAgeiscapable。SandelwasYouth,andhethrewhisstrengthawaywiththemunificentabandonofYouth。ToKingbelongedtheringgeneralship,thewisdombredoflong,achingfights。Hewatchedwithcooleyesandhead,movingslowlyandwaitingforSandel\'sfrothtofoamaway。
TothemajorityoftheonlookersitseemedasthoughKingwashopelesslyoutclassed,andtheyvoicedtheiropinioninoffersofthreetooneonSandel。Buttherewerewiseones,afew,whoknewKingofoldtime,andwhocoveredwhattheyconsideredeasymoney。
Thethirdroundbeganasusual,one-sided,withSandeldoingalltheleading,anddeliveringallthepunishment。Ahalf-minutehadpassedwhenSandel,over-confident,leftanopening。King\'seyesandrightarmflashedinthesameinstant。Itwashisfirstrealblow——ahook,withthetwistedarchofthearmtomakeitrigid,andwithalltheweightofthehalf-
pivotedbodybehindit。Itwaslikeasleepy-seeminglionsuddenlythrustingoutalightningpaw。Sandel,caughtonthesideofthejaw,wasfelledlikeabullock。Theaudiencegaspedandmurmuredawe-strickenapplause。Themanwasnotmuscle-bound,afterall,andhecoulddriveablowlikeatrip-hammer。
Sandelwasshaken。Herolledoverandattemptedtorise,butthesharpyellsfromhissecondstotakethecountrestrainedhim。Hekneltononeknee,readytorise,andwaited,whiletherefereestoodoverhim,countingthesecondsloudlyinhisear。Attheninthheroseinfightingattitude,andTomKing,facinghim,knewregretthattheblowhadnotbeenaninchnearerthepointofthejaw。Thatwouldhavebeenaknock-out,andhecouldhavecarriedthethirtyquidhometothemissusandthekiddies。
Theroundcontinuedtotheendofitsthreeminutes,SandelforthefirsttimerespectfulofhisopponentandKingslowofmovementandsleepy-eyedasever。Astheroundneareditsclose,King,warnedofthefactbysightofthesecondscrouchingoutsidereadyforthespringinthroughtheropes,workedthefightaroundtohisowncorner。Andwhenthegongstruck,hesatdownimmediatelyonthewaitingstool,whileSandelhadtowalkallthewayacrossthediagonalofthesquaretohisowncorner。Itwasalittlething,butitwasthesumoflittlethingsthatcounted。Sandelwascompelledtowalkthatmanymoresteps,togiveupthatmuchenergy,andtoloseapartofthepreciousminuteofrest。AtthebeginningofeveryroundKingloafedslowlyoutfromhiscorner,forcinghisopponenttoadvancethegreaterdistance。TheendofeveryroundfoundthefightmanoeuvredbyKingintohisowncornersothathecouldimmediatelysitdown。
Twomoreroundswentby,inwhichKingwasparsimoniousofeffortandSandelprodigal。Thelatter\'sattempttoforceafastpacemadeKinguncomfortable,forafairpercentageofthemultitudinousblowsshowereduponhimwenthome。YetKingpersistedinhisdoggedslowness,despitethecryingoftheyounghot-headsforhimtogoinandfight。Again,inthesixthround,Sandelwascareless,againTomKing\'sfearfulrightflashedouttothejaw,andagainSandeltooktheninesecondscount。
BytheseventhroundSandel\'spinkofconditionwasgone,andhesettleddowntowhatheknewwastobethehardestfightinhisexperience。TomKingwasanoldun,butabetteroldunthanhehadeverencountered——anoldunwhoneverlosthishead,whowasremarkablyableatdefence,whoseblowshadtheimpactofaknottedclub,andwhohadaknockoutineitherhand。Nevertheless,TomKingdarednothitoften。Heneverforgothisbatteredknuckles,andknewthateveryhitmustcountiftheknucklesweretolastoutthefight。Ashesatinhiscorner,glancingacrossathisopponent,thethoughtcametohimthatthesumofhiswisdomandSandel\'syouthwouldconstituteaworld\'schampionheavyweight。Butthatwasthetrouble。Sandelwouldneverbecomeaworldchampion。Helackedthewisdom,andtheonlywayforhimtogetitwastobuyitwithYouth;andwhenwisdomwashis,Youthwouldhavebeenspentinbuyingit。
Kingtookeveryadvantageheknew。Henevermissedanopportunitytoclinch,andineffectingmostoftheclincheshisshoulderdrovestifflyintotheother\'sribs。Inthephilosophyoftheringashoulderwasasgoodasapunchsofarasdamagewasconcerned,andagreatdealbettersofarasconcernedexpenditureofeffort。Also,intheclinchesKingrestedhisweightonhisopponent,andwasloathtoletgo。Thiscompelledtheinterferenceofthereferee,whotorethemapart,alwaysassistedbySandel,whohadnotyetlearnedtorest。Hecouldnotrefrainfromusingthosegloriousflyingarmsandwrithingmusclesofhis,andwhentheotherrushedintoaclinch,strikingshoulderagainstribs,andwithheadrestingunderSandel\'sleftarm,Sandelalmostinvariablyswunghisrightbehindhisownbackandintotheprojectingface。Itwasacleverstroke,muchadmiredbytheaudience,butitwasnotdangerous,andwas,therefore,justthatmuchwastedstrength。ButSandelwastirelessandunawareoflimitations,andKinggrinnedanddoggedlyendured。
Sandeldevelopedafiercerighttothebody,whichmadeitappearthatKingwastakinganenormousamountofpunishment,anditwasonlytheoldringsterswhoappreciatedthedefttouchofKing\'sleftglovetotheother\'sbicepsjustbeforetheimpactoftheblow。Itwastrue,theblowlandedeachtime;buteachtimeitwasrobbedofitspowerbythattouchonthebiceps。Intheninthround,threetimesinsideaminute,King\'srighthookeditstwistedarchtothejaw;andthreetimesSandel\'sbody,heavyasitwas,waslevelledtothemat。Eachtimehetooktheninesecondsallowedhimandrosetohisfeet,shakenandjarred,butstillstrong。Hehadlostmuchofhisspeed,andhewastedlesseffort。Hewasfightinggrimly;buthecontinuedtodrawuponhischiefasset,whichwasYouth。
King\'schiefassetwasexperience。Ashisvitalityhaddimmedandhisvigourabated,hehadreplacedthemwithcunning,withwisdombornofthelongfightsandwithacarefulshepherdingofstrength。Notalonehadhelearnednevertomakeasuperfluousmovement,buthehadlearnedhowtoseduceanopponentintothrowinghisstrengthaway。Againandagain,byfeintoffootandhandandbodyhecontinuedtoinveigleSandelintoleapingback,ducking,orcountering。Kingrested,butheneverpermittedSandeltorest。ItwasthestrategyofAge。
EarlyinthetenthroundKingbeganstoppingtheother\'srusheswithstraightleftstotheface,andSandel,grownwary,respondedbydrawingtheleft,thenbyduckingitanddeliveringhisrightinaswinginghooktothesideofthehead。Itwastoohighuptobevitallyeffective;butwhenfirstitlanded,Kingknewtheold,familiardescentoftheblackveilofunconsciousnessacrosshismind。Fortheinstant,orfortheslighestfractionofaninstant,rather,heceased。Intheonemomenthesawhisopponentduckingoutofhisfieldofvisionandthebackgroundofwhite,watchingfaces;inthenextmomentheagainsawhisopponentandthebackgroundoffaces。Itwasasifhehadsleptforatimeandjustopenedhiseyesagain,andyettheintervalofunconsciousnesswassomicroscopicallyshortthattherehadbeennotimeforhimtofall。Theaudiencesawhimtotterandhiskneesgive,andthensawhimrecoverandtuckhischindeeperintotheshelterofhisleftshoulder。
SeveraltimesSandelrepeatedtheblow,keepingKingpartiallydazed,andthenthelatterworkedouthisdefence,whichwasalsoacounter。Feintingwithhislefthetookahalf-stepbackward,atthesametimeuppercuttingwiththewholestrengthofhisright。SoaccuratelywasittimedthatitlandedsquarelyonSandel\'sfaceinthefull,downwardsweepoftheduck,andSandelliftedintheairandcurledbackward,strikingthematonhisheadandshoulders。TwiceKingachievedthis,thenturnedlooseandhammeredhisopponenttotheropes。HegaveSandelnochancetorestortosethimself,butsmashedblowinuponblowtillthehouserosetoitsfeetandtheairwasfilledwithanunbrokenroarofapplause。ButSandel\'sstrengthandenduranceweresuperb,andhecontinuedtostayonhisfeet。
Aknock-outseemedcertain,andacaptainofpolice,appalledatthedreadfulpunishment,arosebytheringsidetostopthefight。ThegongstruckfortheendoftheroundandSandelstaggeredtohiscorner,protestingtothecaptainthathewassoundandstrong。Toproveit,hethrewtwoback-air-springs,andthepolicecaptaingavein。
TomKing,leaningbackinhiscornerandbreathinghard,wasdisappointed。
Ifthefighthadbeenstopped,thereferee,perforce,wouldhaverenderedhimthedecisionandthepursewouldhavebeenhis。UnlikeSandel,hewasnotfightingforgloryorcareer,butforthirtyquid。AndnowSandelwouldrecuperateintheminuteofrest。
Youthwillbeserved——thissayingflashedintoKing\'smind,andherememberedthefirsttimehehadheardit,thenightwhenhehadputawayStowsherBill。Thetoffwhohadboughthimadrinkafterthefightandpattedhimontheshoulderhadusedthosewords。Youthwillbeserved!
Thetoffwasright。AndonthatnightinthelongagohehadbeenYouth。
To-nightYouthsatintheoppositecorner。Asforhimself,hehadbeenfightingforhalfanhournow,andhewasanoldman。HadhefoughtlikeSandel,hewouldnothavelastedfifteenminutes。Butthepointwasthathedidnotrecuperate。Thoseupstandingarteriesandthatsorelytriedheartwouldnotenablehimtogatherstrengthintheintervalsbetweentherounds。Andhehadnothadsufficientstrengthinhimtobeginwith。Hislegswereheavyunderhimandbeginningtocramp。Heshouldnothavewalkedthosetwomilestothefight。Andtherewasthesteakwhichhehadgotuplongingforthatmorning。Agreatandterriblehatredroseupinhimforthebutcherswhohadrefusedhimcredit。Itwashardforanoldmantogointoafightwithoutenoughtoeat。Andapieceofsteakwassuchalittlething,afewpenniesatbest;yetitmeantthirtyquidtohim。
Withthegongthatopenedtheeleventhround,Sandelrushed,makingashowoffreshnesswhichhedidnotreallypossess。Kingknewitforwhatitwas——abluffasoldasthegameitself。Heclinchedtosavehimself,then,goingfree,allowedSandeltogetset。ThiswaswhatKingdesired。Hefeintedwithhisleft,drewtheansweringduckandswingingupwardhook,thenmadethehalf-stepbackward,deliveredtheuppercutfulltothefaceandcrumpledSandelovertothemat。Afterthatheneverlethimrest,receivingpunishmenthimself,butinflictingfarmore,smashingSandeltotheropes,hookinganddrivingallmannerofblowsintohim,tearingawayfromhisclinchesorpunchinghimoutofattemptedclinches,andeverwhenSandelwouldhavefallen,catchinghimwithoneupliftinghandandwiththeotherimmediatelysmashinghimintotheropeswherehecouldnotfall。
Thehousebythistimehadgonemad,anditwashishouse,nearlyeveryvoiceyelling:\"Goit,Tom!\"\"Get\'im!Get\'im!\"\"You\'vegot\'im,Tom!
You\'vegot\'im!\"Itwastobeawhirlwindfinish,andthatwaswhataringsideaudiencepaidtosee。
AndTomKing,whoforhalfanhourhadconservedhisstrength,nowexpendeditprodigallyintheonegreateffortheknewhehadinhim。Itwashisonechance——nowornotatall。Hisstrengthwaswaningfast,andhishopewasthatbeforethelastofitebbedoutofhimhewouldhavebeatenhisopponentdownforthecount。Andashecontinuedtostrikeandforce,coollyestimatingtheweightofhisblowsandthequalityofthedamagewrought,herealizedhowhardamanSandelwastoknockout。Staminaandendurancewerehistoanextremedegree,andtheywerethevirginstaminaandenduranceofYouth。Sandelwascertainlyacomingman。Hehaditinhim。Onlyoutofsuchruggedfibreweresuccessfulfightersfashioned。
Sandelwasreelingandstaggering,butTomKing\'slegswerecrampingandhisknucklesgoingbackonhim。Yethesteeledhimselftostrikethefierceblows,everyoneofwhichbroughtanguishtohistorturedhands。
Thoughnowhewasreceivingpracticallynopunishment,hewasweakeningasrapidlyastheother。Hisblowswenthome,buttherewasnolongertheweightbehindthem,andeachblowwastheresultofasevereeffortofwill。Hislegswerelikelead,andtheydraggedvisiblyunderhim;whileSandel\'sbackers,cheeredbythissymptom,begancallingencouragementtotheirman。
Kingwasspurredtoaburstofeffort。Hedeliveredtwoblowsinsuccession——aleft,atrifletoohigh,tothesolarplexus,andarightcrosstothejaw。Theywerenotheavyblows,yetsoweakanddazedwasSandelthathewentdownandlayquivering。Therefereestoodoverhim,shoutingthecountofthefatalsecondsinhisear。Ifbeforethetenthsecondwascalled,hedidnotrise,thefightwaslost。Thehousestoodinhushedsilence。Kingrestedontremblinglegs。Amortaldizzinesswasuponhim,andbeforehiseyestheseaoffacessaggedandswayed,whiletohisears,asfromaremotedistance,camethecountofthereferee。Yethelookeduponthefightashis。Itwasimpossiblethatamansopunishedcouldrise。
OnlyYouthcouldrise,andSandelrose。Atthefourthsecondherolledoveronhisfaceandgropedblindlyfortheropes。Bytheseventhsecondhehaddraggedhimselftohisknee,whereherested,hisheadrollinggroggilyonhisshoulders。Astherefereecried\"Nine!\"Sandelstoodupright,inproperstallingposition,hisleftarmwrappedabouthisface,hisrightwrappedabouthisstomach。Thuswerehisvitalpointsguarded,whilehelurchedforwardtowardKinginthehopeofeffectingaclinchandgainingmoretime。
AttheinstantSandelarose,Kingwasathim,butthetwoblowshedeliveredweremuffledonthestalledarms。ThenextmomentSandelwasintheclinchandholdingondesperatelywhiletherefereestrovetodragthetwomenapart。Kinghelpedtoforcehimselffree。HeknewtherapiditywithwhichYouthrecovered,andheknewthatSandelwashisifhecouldpreventthatrecovery。Onestiffpunchwoulddoit。Sandelwashis,indubitablyhis。Hehadout-generalledhim,out-foughthim,out-pointedhim。Sandelreeledoutoftheclinch,balancedonthehairlinebetweendefeatorsurvival。Onegoodblowwouldtopplehimoveranddownandout。
AndTomKing,inaflashofbitterness,rememberedthepieceofsteakandwishedthathehaditthenbehindthatnecessarypunchhemustdeliver。Henervedhimselffortheblow,butitwasnotheavyenoughnorswiftenough。
Sandelswayed,butdidnotfall,staggeringbacktotheropesandholdingon。Kingstaggeredafterhim,and,withapanglikethatofdissolution,deliveredanotherblow。Buthisbodyhaddesertedhim。Allthatwasleftofhimwasafightingintelligencethatwasdimmedandcloudedfromexhaustion。Theblowthatwasaimedforthejawstrucknohigherthantheshoulder。Hehadwilledtheblowhigher,butthetiredmuscleshadnotbeenabletoobey。And,fromtheimpactoftheblow,TomKinghimselfreeledbackandnearlyfell。Onceagainhestrove。Thistimehispunchmissedaltogether,and,fromabsoluteweakness,hefellagainstSandelandclinched,holdingontohimtosavehimselffromsinkingtothefloor。
Kingdidnotattempttofreehimself。Hehadshothisbolt。Hewasgone。
AndYouthhadbeenserved。EvenintheclinchhecouldfeelSandelgrowingstrongeragainsthim。Whentherefereethrustthemapart,there,beforehiseyes,hesawYouthrecuperate。FrominstanttoinstantSandelgrewstronger。Hispunches,weakandfutileatfirst,becamestiffandaccurate。TomKing\'sblearedeyessawtheglovedfistdrivingathisjaw,andhewilledtoguarditbyinterposinghisarm。Hesawthedanger,willedtheact;butthearmwastooheavy。Itseemedburdenedwithahundredweightoflead。Itwouldnotliftitself,andhestrovetoliftitwithhissoul。Thentheglovedfistlandedhome。Heexperiencedasharpsnapthatwaslikeanelectricspark,and,simultaneously,theveilofblacknessenvelopedhim。
Whenheopenedhiseyesagainhewasinhiscorner,andheheardtheyellingoftheaudienceliketheroarofthesurfatBondiBeach。Awetspongewasbeingpressedagainstthebaseofhisbrain,andSidSullivanwasblowingcoldwaterinarefreshingsprayoverhisfaceandchest。Hisgloveshadalreadybeenremoved,andSandel,bendingoverhim,wasshakinghishand。Heborenoill-willtowardthemanwhohadputhimoutandhereturnedthegripwithaheartinessthatmadehisbatteredknucklesprotest。ThenSandelsteppedtothecentreoftheringandtheaudiencehusheditspandemoniumtohearhimacceptyoungPronto\'schallengeandoffertoincreasethesidebettoonehundredpounds。Kinglookedonapatheticallywhilehissecondsmoppedthestreamingwaterfromhim,driedhisface,andpreparedhimtoleavethering。Hefelthungry。Itwasnottheordinary,gnawingkind,butagreatfaintness,apalpitationatthepitofthestomachthatcommunicateditselftoallhisbody。HerememberedbackintothefighttothemomentwhenhehadSandelswayingandtotteringonthehair-linebalanceofdefeat。Ah,thatpieceofsteakwouldhavedoneit!Hehadlackedjustthatforthedecisiveblow,andhehadlost。
Itwasallbecauseofthepieceofsteak。
Hissecondswerehalf-supportinghimastheyhelpedhimthroughtheropes。
Hetorefreefromthem,duckedthroughtheropesunaided,andleapedheavilytothefloor,followingontheirheelsastheyforcedapassageforhimdownthecrowdedcentreaisle。Leavingthedressing-roomforthestreet,intheentrancetothehall,someyoungfellowspoketohim。
\"W\'ydidn\'tyuhgoinan\'get\'imwhenyuh\'ad\'im?\"theyoungfellowasked。
\"Aw,gotohell!\"saidTomKing,andpasseddownthestepstothesidewalk。
Thedoorsofthepublic-houseatthecornerwereswingingwide,andhesawthelightsandthesmilingbarmaids,heardthemanyvoicesdiscussingthefightandtheprosperouschinkofmoneyonthebar。Somebodycalledtohimtohaveadrink。Hehesitatedperceptibly,thenrefusedandwentonhisway。
Hehadnotacopperinhispocket,andthetwo-milewalkhomeseemedverylong。Hewascertainlygettingold。CrossingtheDomain,hesatdownsuddenlyonabench,unnervedbythethoughtofthemissussittingupforhim,waitingtolearntheoutcomeofthefight。Thatwasharderthananyknockout,anditseemedalmostimpossibletoface。
Hefeltweakandsore,andthepainofhissmashedknuckleswarnedhimthat,evenifhecouldfindajobatnavvywork,itwouldbeaweekbeforehecouldgripapickhandleorashovel。Thehungerpalpitationatthepitofthestomachwassickening。Hiswretchednessoverwhelmedhim,andintohiseyescameanunwontedmoisture。Hecoveredhisfacewithhishands,and,ashecried,herememberedStowsherBillandhowhehadservedhimthatnightinthelongago。PooroldStowsherBill!HecouldunderstandnowwhyBillhadcriedinthedressing-room。
End