Ayoungman，inablacksuit，withamopofhairandapreposterouslytallstarchedcollar，walkedtothecentreoftheringandhelduphishand。
\"Gentlemenwillpleasestopsmoking，\"hesaid。
Hiseffortwasapplaudedbygroansandcat-calls，andshenoticedwithindignationthatnobodystoppedsmoking。Mr。Clausenheldaburningmatchinhisfingerswhiletheannouncementwasbeingmade，andthencalmlylightedhiscigar。Shefeltthatshehatedhiminthatmoment。HowwasherJoetofightinsuchanatmosphere？Shecouldscarcelybreatheherself，andshewasonlysittingdown。
TheannouncercameovertoJoe。Hestoodup。Hisbathrobefellawayfromhim，andhesteppedforthtothecentreofthering，nakedsaveforthelowcanvasshoesandanarrowhip-clothofwhite。
Genevieve’seyesdropped。Shesatalone，withnonetosee，butherfacewasburningwithshameatsightofthebeautifulnakednessofherlover。Butshelookedagain，guiltily，forthejoythatwashersinbeholdingwhatsheknewmustbesinfultobehold。Theleapofsomethingwithinherandthestirofherbeingtowardhimmustbesinful。Butitwasdelicioussin，andshedidnotdenyhereyes。
InvainMrs。Grundyadmonishedher。Thepaganinher，originalsin，andallnatureurgedheron。Themothersofallthepastwerewhisperingthroughher，andtherewasaclamourofthechildrenunborn。Butofthissheknewnothing。Sheknewonlythatitwassin，andsheliftedherheadproudly，recklesslyresolved，inonegreatsurgeofrevolt，tosintotheuttermost。
Shehadneverdreamedoftheformundertheclothes。Theform，beyondthehandsandtheface，hadnopartinhermentalprocesses。
Achildofgarmentedcivilization，thegarmentwastohertheform。
Theraceofmenwastoheraraceofgarmentedbipeds，withhandsandfacesandhair-coveredheads。WhenshethoughtofJoe，theJoeinstantlyvisualizedonhermindwasaclothedJoe——girl-cheeked，blue-eyed，curly-headed，butclothed。Andtherehestood，allbutnaked，godlike，inawhiteblazeoflight。ShehadneverconceivedoftheformofGodexceptasnebulouslynaked，andthethought-
associationwasstartling。Itseemedtoherthathersinpartookofsacrilegeorblasphemy。
Herchromo-trainedaestheticsenseexceededitseducationandtoldherthatherewerebeautyandwonder。ShehadalwayslikedthephysicalpresentmentofJoe，butitwasapresentmentofclothes，andshehadthoughtthepleasingnessofitduetotheneatnessandtastewithwhichhedressed。Shehadneverdreamedthatthislurkedbeneath。Itdazzledher。Hisskinwasfairasawoman’s，farmoresatiny，andnorudimentaryhair-growthmarreditswhitelustre。
Thissheperceived，butalltherest，theperfectionoflineandstrengthanddevelopment，gavepleasurewithoutherknowingwhy。
Therewasacleannessandgraceaboutit。Hisfacewaslikeacameo，andhislips，partedinasmile，madeitveryboyish。
Hesmiledashefacedtheaudience，whentheannouncer，placingahandonhisshoulder，said：\"JoeFleming，thePrideofWestOakland。\"
Cheersandhand-clappingsstormedup，andsheheardaffectionatecriesof\"Oh，you，Joe！\"Menshouteditathimagainandagain。
Hewalkedbacktohiscorner。Nevertoherdidheseemlessafighterthanthen。Hiseyesweretoomild；therewasnotasparkofthebeastinthem，norinhisface，whilehisbodyseemedtoofragile，whatofitsfairnessandsmoothness，andhisfacetooboyishandsweet-temperedandintelligent。Shedidnothavetheexpert’seyeforthedepthofchest，thewidenostrils，therecuperativelungs，andthemusclesundertheirsatinsheaths——
cryptsofenergywhereinlurkedthechemistryofdestruction。ToherhelookedlikeasomethingofDresdenchina，tobehandledgentlyandwithcare，liabletobeshatteredtofragmentsbythefirstroughtouch。
JohnPonta，strippedofhiswhitesweaterbythepullingandhaulingoftwoofhisseconds，cametothecentreofthering。Sheknewterrorasshelookedathim。Herewasthefighter——thebeastwithastreakforaforehead，withbeadyeyesunderloweringandbushybrows，flat-nosed，thick-lipped，sullen-mouthed。Hewasheavy-
jawed，bull-necked，andtheshort，straighthairoftheheadseemedtoherfrightenedeyesthestiffbristlesonahog’sback。Herewerecoarsenessandbrutishness——athingsavage，primordial，ferocious。Hewasswarthytoblackness，andhisbodywascoveredwithahairygrowththatmattedlikeadog’sonhischestandshoulders。Hewasdeep-chested，thick-legged，large-muscled，butunshapely。Hismuscleswereknots，andhewasgnarledandknobby，twistedoutofbeautybyexcessofstrength。
\"JohnPonta，WestBayAthleticClub，\"saidtheannouncer。
Amuchsmallervolumeofcheersgreetedhim。ItwasevidentthatthecrowdfavoredJoewithitssympathy。
\"Goinan’eat’m，Ponta！Eat’mup！\"avoiceshoutedinthelull。
Thiswasreceivedbyscornfulcriesandgroans。Hedidnotlikeit，forhissullenmouthtwistedintoahalf-snarlashewentbacktohiscorner。Hewastoodecidedanatavismtodrawthecrowd’sadmiration。Instinctivelythecrowddislikedhim。Hewasananimal，lackinginintelligenceandspirit，amenaceandathingoffear，asthetigerandthesnakearemenacesandthingsoffear，betterbehindthebarsofacagethanrunningfreeintheopen。
Andhefeltthatthecrowdhadnorelishforhim。Hewaslikeananimalinthecircleofitsenemies，andheturnedandglaredatthemwithmalignanteyes。LittleSilverstein，shoutingoutJoe’snamewithhighglee，shrankawayfromPonta’sgaze，shrivelledasinfierceheat，thesoundgurglinganddyinginhisthroat。Genevievesawthelittleby-play，andasPonta’seyesslowlysweptroundthecircleoftheirhateandmethers，she，too，shrivelledandshrankback。Thenextmomenttheywerepast，pausingtocentrelongonJoe。ItseemedtoherthatPontawasworkinghimselfintoarage。
Joereturnedthegazewithmildboy’seyes，buthisfacegrewserious。
Theannouncerescortedathirdmantothecentreofthering，agenial-facedyoungfellowinshirt-sleeves。
\"EddyJones，whowillrefereethiscontest，\"saidtheannouncer。
\"Oh，you，Eddy！\"menshoutedinthemidstoftheapplause，anditwasapparenttoGenevievethathe，too，waswellbeloved。
Bothmenwerebeinghelpedintotheglovesbytheirseconds，andoneofPonta’ssecondscameoverandexaminedtheglovesbeforetheywentonJoe’shands。Therefereecalledthemtothecentreofthering。Thesecondsfollowed，andtheymadequiteagroup，JoeandPontafacingeachother，therefereeinthemiddle，thesecondsleaningwithhandsononeanother’sshoulders，theirheadscranedforward。Therefereewastalking，andalllistenedattentively。
Thegroupbrokeup。Againtheannouncercametothefront。
\"JoeFlemingfightsatonehundredandtwenty-eight，\"hesaid；\"JohnPontaatonehundredandforty。Theywillfightaslongasonehandisfree，andtakecareofthemselvesinthebreak-away。Theaudiencemustrememberthatadecisionmustbegiven。Therearenodrawsfoughtbeforethisclub。\"
Hecrawledthroughtheropesanddroppedfromtheringtothefloor。
Therewasascuttlinginthecornersasthesecondsclearedoutthroughtheropes，takingwiththemthestoolsandbuckets。Onlyremainedintheringthetwofightersandthereferee。Agongsounded。Thetwomenadvancedrapidlytothecentre。Theirrighthandsextendedandforafractionofaninstantmetinaperfunctoryshake。ThenPontalashedout，savagely，rightandleft，andJoeescapedbyspringingback。Likeaprojectile，Pontahurledhimselfafterhimanduponhim。
Thefightwason。Genevieveclutchedonehandtoherbreastandwatched。ShewasbewilderedbytheswiftnessandsavageryofPonta’sassault，andbythemultitudeofblowshestruck。ShefeltthatJoewassurelybeingdestroyed。Attimesshecouldnotseehisface，soobscuredwasitbytheflyinggloves。Butshecouldheartheresoundingblows，andwiththesoundofeachblowshefeltasickeningsensationinthepitofherstomach。Shedidnotknowthatwhatsheheardwastheimpactofgloveonglove，orgloveonshoulder，andthatnodamagewasbeingdone。
Shewassuddenlyawarethatachangehadcomeoverthefight。Bothmenwereclutchingeachotherinatenseembrace；noblowswerebeingstruckatall。SherecognizedittobewhatJoehaddescribedtoherasthe\"clinch。\"Pontawasstrugglingtofreehimself，Joewasholdingon。
Therefereeshouted，\"Break！\"Joemadeanefforttogetaway，butPontagotonehandfreeandJoerushedbackintoasecondclinch，toescapetheblow。Butthistime，shenoticed，theheelofhisglovewaspressedagainstPonta’smouthandchin，andatthesecond\"Break！\"ofthereferee，Joeshovedhisopponent’sheadbackandsprangclearhimself。
Forabriefseveralsecondsshehadanunobstructedviewofherlover。Leftfootatrifleadvanced，kneesslightlybent，hewascrouching，withhisheaddrawnwelldownbetweenhisshouldersandshieldedbythem。Hishandswereinpositionbeforehim，readyeithertoattackordefend。Themusclesofhisbodyweretense，andashemovedaboutshecouldseethembunchupandwritheandcrawllikelivethingsunderthewhiteskin。
ButagainPontawasuponhimandhewasstrugglingtolive。Hecrouchedabitmore，drewhisbodymorecompactlytogether，andcoveredupwithhishands，elbows，andforearms。Blowsraineduponhim，anditlookedtoherasthoughhewerebeingbeatentodeath。
Buthewasreceivingtheblowsonhisglovesandshoulders，rockingbackandforthtotheforceofthemlikeatreeinastorm，whilethehousecheereditsdelight。Itwasnotuntilsheunderstoodthisapplause，andsawSilversteinhalfoutofhisseatandintensely，madlyhappy，andheardthe\"Oh，you，Joe’s！\"frommanythroats，thatsherealizedthatinsteadofbeingcruellypunishedhewasacquittinghimselfwell。Thenhewouldemergeforamoment，againtobeenvelopedandhiddeninthewhirlwindofPonta’sferocity。
CHAPTERV
Thegongsounded。Itseemedtheyhadbeenfightinghalfanhour，thoughfromwhatJoehadtoldhersheknewithadbeenonlythreeminutes。WiththecrashofthegongJoe’ssecondswerethroughtheropesandrunninghimintohiscornerfortheblessedminuteofrest。Oneman，squattingonthefloorbetweenhisoutstretchedfeetandelevatingthembyrestingthemonhisknees，wasviolentlychafinghislegs。Joesatonthestool，leaningfarbackintothecorner，headthrownbackandarmsoutstretchedontheropestogiveeasyexpansiontothechest。Withwide-openmouthhewasbreathingthetowel-drivenairfurnishedbytwooftheseconds，whilelisteningtothecounselofstillanothersecondwhotalkedwithlowvoiceinhisearandatthesametimespongedoffhisface，shoulders，andchest。
Hardlyhadallthisbeenaccomplished（ithadtakennomorethanseveralseconds），whenthegongsounded，thesecondsscuttledthroughtheropeswiththeirparaphernalia，andJoeandPontawereadvancingagainsteachothertothecentreofthering。Genevievehadnoideathataminutecouldbesoshort。Foramomentshefeltthatthisresthadbeencut，andwassuspiciousofsheknewnotwhat。
Pontalashedout，rightandleft，savagelyasever，andthoughJoeblockedtheblows，suchwastheforceofthemthathewasknockedbackwardseveralsteps。Pontawasafterhimwiththespringofatiger。Intheinvoluntaryefforttomaintainequilibrium，Joehaduncoveredhimself，flingingonearmoutandliftinghisheadfrombeneaththeshelteringshoulders。SoswiftlyhadPontafollowedhim，thataterribleswingingblowwascomingathisunguardedjaw。
Heduckedforwardanddown，Ponta’sfistjustmissingthebackofhishead。Ashecamebacktotheperpendicular，Ponta’sleftfistdroveathiminastraightpunchthatwouldhaveknockedhimbackwardthroughtheropes。Again，andwithaswiftnessaninappreciablefractionoftimequickerthanPonta’s，heduckedforward。Ponta’sfistgrazedthebackwardslopeoftheshoulder，andglancedoffintotheair。Ponta’srightdrovestraightout，andthegrazewasrepeatedasJoeduckedintothesafetyofaclinch。
Genevievesighedwithrelief，hertensebodyrelaxingandafaintnesscomingoverher。Thecrowdwascheeringmadly。
Silversteinwasonhisfeet，shouting，gesticulating，completelyoutofhimself。AndevenMr。Clausenwasyellinghisenthusiasm，atthetopofhislungs，intotheearofhisnearestneighbor。
Theclinchwasbrokenandthefightwenton。Joeblocked，andbacked，andslidaroundthering，avoidingblowsandlivingsomehowthroughthewhirlwindonslaughts。Rarelydidhestrikeblowshimself，forPontahadaquickeyeandcoulddefendaswellasattack，whileJoehadnochanceagainsttheother’senormousvitality。HishopelayinthatPontahimselfshouldultimatelyconsumehisstrength。
ButGenevievewasbeginningtowonderwhyherloverdidnotfight。
Shegrewangry。Shewantedtoseehimwreakvengeanceonthisbeastthathadpersecutedhimso。Evenasshewaxedimpatient，thechancecame，andJoewhippedhisfisttoPonta’smouth。Itwasastaggeringblow。ShesawPonta’sheadgobackwithajerkandthequickdyeofblooduponhislips。Theblow，andthegreatshoutfromtheaudience，angeredhim。Herushedlikeawildman。Thefuryofhispreviousassaultswasasnothingcomparedwiththefuryofthisone。Andtherewasnomoreopportunityforanotherblow。
Joewastoobusylivingthroughthestormhehadalreadycaused，blocking，coveringup，andduckingintothesafetyandrespiteoftheclinches。
Buttheclinchwasnotallsafetyandrespite。Everyinstantofitwasintensewatchfulness，whilethebreakawaywasstillmoredangerous。Genevievehadnoticed，withaslighttouchofamusement，thecuriouswayinwhichJoesnuggledhisbodyinagainstPonta’sintheclinches；butshehadnotrealizedwhy，until，inonesuchclinch，beforethesnugglingincouldbeeffected，Ponta’sfistwhippedstraightupintheairfromunder，andmissedJoe’schinbyahair’s-breadth。Inanotherandlaterclinch，whenshehadalreadyrelaxedandsighedherreliefatseeinghimsafelysnuggled，Ponta，hischinoverJoe’sshoulder，liftedhisrightarmandstruckaterribledownwardblowonthesmalloftheback。Thecrowdgroaneditsapprehension，whileJoequicklylockedhisopponent’sarmstopreventarepetitionoftheblow。
Thegongstruck，andafterthefleetingminuteofrest，theywentatitagain——inJoe’scorner，forPontahadmadearushtomeethimclearacrossthering。Wheretheblowhadbeenoverthekidneys，thewhiteskinhadbecomebrightred。Thissplashofcolor，thesizeoftheglove，fascinatedandfrightenedGenevievesothatshecouldscarcelytakehereyesfromit。Promptly，inthenextclinch，theblowwasrepeated；butafterthatJoeusuallymanagedtogivePontatheheelofthegloveonthemouthandsoholdhisheadback。
Thispreventedthestrikingoftheblow；butthreetimesmore，beforetheroundended，Pontaeffectedthetrick，eachtimestrikingthesamevulnerablepart。
Anotherrestandanotherroundwentby，withnofurtherdamagetoJoeandnodiminutionofstrengthonthepartofPonta。Butinthebeginningofthefifthround，Joe，caughtinacorner，madeasthoughtoduckintoaclinch。Justbeforeitwaseffected，andattheprecisemomentthatPontawasreadywithhisownbodytoreceivethesnugglinginofJoe’sbody，Joedrewbackslightlyanddrovewithhisfistsathisopponent’sunprotectedstomach。Lightning-
likeblowstheywere，fourofthem，rightandleft；andheavytheywere，forPontawincedawayfromthemandstaggeredback，halfdroppinghisarms，hisshouldersdroopingforwardandin，asthoughhewereabouttodoubleinatthewaistandcollapse。Joe’squickeyesawtheopening，andhesmashedstraightoutuponPonta’smouth，followinginstantlywithahalfswing，halfhook，forthejaw。Itmissed，strikingthecheekinstead，andsendingPontastaggeringsideways。
Thehousewasonitsfeet，shouting，toaman。Genevievecouldhearmencrying，\"He’sgot’m，he’sgot’m！\"anditseemedtoherthebeginningoftheend。She，too，wasoutofherself；softnessandtendernesshadvanished；sheexultedwitheachcrushingblowherloverdelivered。
ButPonta’svitalitywasyettobereckonedwith。As，likeatiger，hehadfollowedJoeup，Joenowfollowedhimup。Hemadeanotherhalfswing，halfhook，forPonta’sjaw，andPonta，alreadyrecoveringhiswitsandstrength，duckedcleanly。Joe’sfistpassedonthroughemptyair，andsogreatwasthemomentumoftheblowthatitcarriedhimaround，inahalftwirl，sideways。ThenPontalashedoutwithhisleft。HisglovelandedonJoe’sunguardedneck。
Genevievesawherlover’sarmsdroptohissidesashisbodylifted，wentbackward，andfelllimplytothefloor。Thereferee，bendingoverhim，begantocounttheseconds，emphasizingthepassageofeachsecondwithadownwardsweepofhisrightarm。
Theaudiencewasstillasdeath。Pontahadpartlyturnedtothehousetoreceivetheapprovalthatwashisdue，onlytobemetbythischill，graveyardsilence。Quickwrathsurgedupinhim。Itwasunfair。Hisopponentonlywasapplauded——ifhestruckablow，ifheescapedablow；he，Ponta，whohadforcedthefightingfromthestart，hadreceivednowordofcheer。
Hiseyesblazedashegatheredhimselftogetherandsprangtohisprostratefoe。Hecrouchedalongsideofhim，rightarmdrawnbackandreadyforasmashingblowtheinstantJoeshouldstarttorise。
Thereferee，stillbendingoverandcountingwithhisrighthand，shovedPontabackwithhisleft。Thelatter，crouching，circledaround，andtherefereecircledwithhim，thrustinghimbackandkeepingbetweenhimandthefallenman。
\"Four——five——six——\"thecountwenton，andJoe，rollingoveronhisface，squirmedweaklytodrawhimselftohisknees。Thishesucceededindoing，restingononeknee，ahandtotheflooroneithersideandtheotherlegbentunderhimtohelphimrise。
\"Takethecount！Takethecount！\"adozenvoicesrangoutfromtheaudience。
\"ForGod’ssake，takethecount！\"oneofJoe’ssecondscriedwarninglyfromtheedgeofthering。Genevievegavehimoneswiftglance，andsawtheyoungfellow’sface，drawnandwhite，hislipsunconsciouslymovingashekeptthecountwiththereferee。
\"Seven——eight——nine——\"thesecondswent。
Theninthsoundedandwasgone，whentherefereegavePontaalastbackwardshoveandJoecametohisfeet，bunchedup，coveredup，weak，butcool，verycool。Pontahurledhimselfuponhimwithterrificforce，deliveringanuppercutandastraightpunch。ButJoeblockedthetwo，duckedathird，steppedtothesidetoavoidafourth，andwasthendrivenbackwardintoacornerbyahurricaneofblows。Hewasexceedinglyweak。Hetotteredashekepthisfooting，andstaggeredbackandforth。Hisbackwasagainsttheropes。Therewasnofurtherretreat。Pontapaused，asiftomakedoublysure，thenfeintedwithhisleftandstruckfiercelywithhisrightwithallhisstrength。ButJoeduckedintoaclinchandwasforamomentsaved。
Pontastruggledfranticallytofreehimself。Hewantedtogivethefinishtothisfoealreadysofargone。ButJoewasholdingonforlife，resistingtheother’severyeffort，asfastasoneholdorgripwastornloosefindinganewonebywhichtocling。\"Break！\"
therefereecommanded。Joeheldontighter。\"Make’mbreak！Whythehelldon’tyoumake’mbreak？\"Pontapantedatthereferee。
Againthelattercommandedthebreak。Joerefused，keeping，ashewellknew，withinhisrights。Eachmomentoftheclinchhisstrengthwascomingbacktohim，hisbrainwasclearing，thecobwebsweredisappearingfrombeforehiseyes。Theroundwasyoung，andhemustlive，somehow，throughthenearlythreeminutesofityettorun。
Therefereeclutchedeachbytheshoulderandsunderedthemviolently，passingquicklybetweenthemashethrustthembackwardinordertomakeacleanbreakofit。Themomenthewasfree，PontasprangatJoelikeawildanimalbearingdownitsprey。ButJoecoveredup，blocked，andfellintoaclinch。AgainPontastruggledtogetfree，Joeheldon，andtherefereethrustthemapart。AndagainJoeavoideddamageandclinched。
Genevieverealizedthatintheclincheshewasnotbeingbeaten——
why，then，didnottherefereelethimholdon？Itwascruel。Shehatedthegenial-facedEddyJonesinthosemoments，andshepartlyrosefromherchair，herhandsclenchedwithanger，thenailscuttingintothepalmstilltheyhurt。Therestoftheround，thethreelongminutesofit，wasasuccessionofclinchesandbreaks。
NotoncedidPontasucceedinstrikinghisopponentthedeadlyfinalblow。AndPontawaslikeamadman，ragingbecauseofhisimpotencyinthefaceofhishelplessandallbutvanquishedfoe。Oneblow，onlyoneblow，andhecouldnotdeliverit！Joe’sringexperienceandcoolnesssavedhim。Withshakenconsciousnessandtremblingbody，heclutchedandheldon，whiletheebbinglifeturnedandfloodedupinhimagain。Once，inhispassion，unabletohithim，Pontamadeasthoughtolifthimupandhurlhimtothefloor。
\"V’ydon’tyoubitehim？\"Silversteintauntedshrilly。
Inthestillnessthesallywasheardoverthewholehouse，andtheaudience，relievedofitsanxietyforitsfavorite，laughedwithanuproariousnessthathadinitthenoteofhysteria。EvenGenevievefeltthattherewassomethingirresistiblyfunnyintheremark，andthereliefoftheaudiencewascommunicatedtoher；yetshefeltsickandfaint，andwasoverwroughtwithhorroratwhatshehadseenandwasseeing。
\"Bite’m！Bite’m！\"voicesfromtherecoveredaudiencewereshouting。\"Chewhisearoff，Ponta！That’stheonlywayyoucanget’m！Eat’mup！Eat’mup！Oh，whydon’tyoueat’mup？\"
TheeffectwasbadonPonta。Hebecamemorefrenziedthanever，andmoreimpotent。Hepantedandsobbed，wastinghiseffortbytoomucheffort，losingsanityandcontrolandfutilelytryingtocompensateforthelossbyexcessofphysicalendeavor。Heknewonlytheblinddesiretodestroy，shookJoeintheclinchesasaterriermightarat，strainedandstruggledforfreedomofbodyandarms，andallthewhileJoecalmlyclutchedandheldon。Therefereeworkedmanfullyandfairlytoseparatethem。Perspirationrandownhisface。Ittookallhisstrengthtosplitthoseclingingbodies，andnosoonerhadhesplitthemthanJoefellunharmedintoanotherembraceandtheworkhadtobedonealloveragain。Invain，whenfreed，didPontatrytoavoidtheclutchingarmsandtwiningbody。
Hecouldnotkeepaway。Hehadtocomecloseinordertostrike，andeachtimeJoebaffledhimandcaughthiminhisarms。
AndGenevieve，crouchedinthelittledressing-roomandpeeringthroughthepeep-hole，wasbaffled，too。Shewasaninterestedpartyinwhatseemedadeath-struggle——wasnotoneofthefightersherJoe？——buttheaudienceunderstoodandshedidnot。TheGamehadnotunveiledtoher。Thelureofitwasbeyondher。Itwasgreatermysterythanever。Shecouldnotcomprehenditspower。WhatdelightcouldtherebeforJoeinthatbrutalsurgingandstrainingofbodies，thosefierceclutches，fiercerblows，andterriblehurts？
Surely，she，Genevieve，offeredmorethanthat——rest，andcontent，andsweet，calmjoy。HerbidfortheheartofhimandthesoulofhimwasfinerandmoregenerousthanthebidoftheGame；yethedalliedwithboth——heldherinhisarms，butturnedhisheadtolistentothatotherandsirencallshecouldnotunderstand。
Thegongstruck。TheroundendedwithabreakinPonta’scorner。
Thewhite-facedyoungsecondwasthroughtheropeswiththefirstclashofsound。HeseizedJoeinhisarms，liftedhimclearofthefloor，andranwithhimacrosstheringtohisowncorner。Hissecondsworkedoverhimfuriously，chafinghislegs，slappinghisabdomen，stretchingthehip-clothoutwiththeirfingerssothathemightbreathemoreeasily。ForthefirsttimeGenevievesawthestomach-breathingofaman，anabdomenthatroseandfellfarmorewitheverybreaththanherbreastroseandfellaftershehadrunforacar。Thepungencyofammoniabithernostrils，waftedtoherfromthesoakedspongewherefromhebreathedthefieryfumesthatclearedhisbrain。Hegargledhismouthandthroat，tookasuckatadividedlemon，andallthewhilethetowelsworkedlikemad，drivingoxygenintohislungstopurgethepoundingbloodandsenditbackrevivifiedforthestruggleyettocome。Hisheatedbodywasspongedwithwater，dousedwithit，andbottleswereturnedmouth-downwardonhishead。
CHAPTERVI
Thegongforthesixthroundstruck，andbothmenadvancedtomeeteachother，theirbodiesglisteningwithwater。Pontarushedtwo-
thirdsofthewayacrossthering，sointentwasheongettingathismanbeforefullrecoverycouldbeeffected。ButJoehadlivedthrough。Hewasstrongagain，andgettingstronger。Heblockedseveralviciousblowsandthensmashedback，sendingPontareeling。
Heattemptedtofollowup，butwiselyforboreandcontentedhimselfwithblockingandcoveringupinthewhirlwindhisblowhadraised。
Thefightwasasithadbeenatthebeginning——Joeprotecting，Pontarushing。ButPontawasneveratease。Hedidnothaveitallhisownway。Atanymoment，inhisfiercestonslaughts，hisopponentwasliabletolashoutandreachhim。Joesavedhisstrength。HestruckoneblowtoPonta’sten，buthisoneblowrarelymissed。
Pontaoverwhelmedhimintheattacks，yetcoulddonothingwithhim，whileJoe’stiger-likestrokes，alwaysimminent，compelledrespect。
TheytonedPonta’sferocity。Hewasnolongerabletogoinwiththecompleteabandonofdestructivenesswhichhadmarkedhisearlierefforts。
Butachangewascomingoverthefight。Theaudiencewasquicktonoteit，andevenGenevievesawitbythebeginningoftheninthround。Joewastakingtheoffensive。Intheclinchesitwashewhobroughthisfistdownonthesmalloftheback，strikingtheterriblekidneyblow。Hediditonce，ineachclinch，butwithallhisstrength，andhediditeveryclinch。Then，inthebreakaways，hebegantoupper-cutPontaonthestomach，ortohookhisjaworstrikestraightoutuponthemouth。Butatfirstsignofacomingofawhirlwind，Joewoulddancenimblyawayandcoverup。
Tworoundsofthiswentby，andthree，butPonta’sstrength，thoughperceptiblyless，didnotdiminishrapidly。Joe’staskwastoweardownthatstrength，notwithoneblow，norten，butwithblowafterblow，withoutend，untilthatenormousstrengthshouldbebeatensheeroutofitsbody。Therewasnorestfortheman。Joefollowedhimup，stepbystep，hisadvancingleftfootmakinganaudibletap，tap，tap，onthehardcanvas。Thentherewouldcomeasuddenleapin，tiger-like，ablowstruck，orblows，andaswiftleapback，whereupontheleftfootwouldtakeupagainitstappingadvance。
WhenPontamadehissavagerushes，Joecarefullycoveredup，onlytoemerge，hisleftfootgoingtap，tap，tap，asheimmediatelyfollowedup。
Pontawasslowlyweakening。Tothecrowdtheendwasaforegoneconclusion。
\"Oh，you，Joe！\"ityelleditsadmirationandaffection。
\"It’sashametotakethemoney！\"itmocked。\"Whydon’tyoueat’m，Ponta？Gooninan’eat’m！\"
Intheone-minuteintermissionsPonta’ssecondsworkedoverhimastheyhadnotworkedbefore。Theircalmtrustinhistremendousvitalityhadbeenbetrayed。Genevievewatchedtheirexcitedefforts，whileshelistenedtothewhite-facedsecondcautioningJoe。
\"Takeyourtime，\"hewassaying。\"You’vegot’m，butyougottotakeyourtime。I’veseen’mfight。He’sgotapunchtotheendofthecount。I’veseen’mknockedoutandcleanbatty，an’goonpunchingjustthesame。MickeySullivanhad’mgoin’。Puts’mtothematasfastashecrawlsup，sixtimes，an’thenleavesanopening。Pontareachesforhisjaw，antwominutesafterwardMickey’sopenin’hiseyesan’askin’what’sdoin’。Soyou’vegottowatch’m。Nogoin’inan’absorbin’oneofthemluckypunches，now。
Igotmoneyonthisfight，butIdon’tcallitminetillhe’scountedout。\"
Pontawasbeingdousedwithwater。Asthegongsounded，oneofhissecondsinvertedawaterbottleonhishead。Hestartedtowardthecentreofthering，andthesecondfollowedhimforseveralsteps，keepingthebottlestillinverted。Therefereeshoutedathim，andhefledthering，droppingthebottleashefled。Itrolledoverandover，thewatergurglingoutuponthecanvastillthereferee，withaquickflirtofhistoe，sentthebottlerollingthroughtheropes。
InallthepreviousroundsGenevievehadnotseenJoe’sfightingfacewhichhadbeenprefiguredtoherthatmorninginthedepartmentstore。Sometimeshisfacehadbeenquiteboyish；othertimes，whentakinghisfiercestpunishment，ithadbeenbleakandgray；andstilllater，whenlivingthroughandclutchingandholdingon，ithadtakenonawistfulexpression。Butnow，outofdangerhimselfandasheforcedthefight，hisfightingfacecameuponhim。Shesawitandshuddered。Itremovedhimsofarfromher。Shehadthoughtsheknewhim，allofhim，andheldhiminthehollowofherhand；butthisshedidnotknow——thisfaceofsteel，thismouthofsteel，theseeyesofsteelflashingthelightandglitterofsteel。
Itseemedtoherthepassionlessfaceofanavengingangel，stampedonlywiththepurposeoftheLord。
Pontaattemptedoneofhisold-timerushes，butwasstoppedonthemouth。Implacable，insistent，evermenacing，neverlettinghimrest，Joefollowedhimup。Theround，thethirteenth，closedwitharush，inPonta’scorner。Heattemptedarally，wasbroughttohisknees，tookthenineseconds’count，andthentriedtoclinchintosafety，onlytoreceivefourofJoe’sterriblestomachpunches，sothatwiththegonghefellback，gasping，intothearmsofhisseconds。
Joeranacrosstheringtohisowncorner。
\"NowI’mgoingtoget’m，\"hesaidtohissecond。
\"Yousurefixed’mthattime，\"thelatteranswered。\"Nothin’tostopyounowbutaluckypunch。Watchoutforit。\"
Joeleanedforward，feetgatheredunderhimforaspring，likeafoot-racerwaitingthestart。Hewaswaitingforthegong。Whenitsoundedheshotforwardandacrossthering，catchingPontainthemidstofhissecondsasherosefromhisstool。Andinthemidstofhissecondshewentdown，knockeddownbyaright-handblow。Ashearosefromtheconfusionofbuckets，stools，andseconds，Joeputhimdownagain。Andyetathirdtimehewentdownbeforehecouldescapefromhisowncorner。
Joehadatlastbecomethewhirlwind。Genevieverememberedhis\"justwatch，you’llknowwhenIgoafterhim。\"Thehouseknewit，too。Itwasonitsfeet，everyvoiceraisedinafierceyell。Itwastheblood-cryofthecrowd，anditsoundedtoherlikewhatsheimaginedmustbethehowlingofwolves。Andwhatwithconfidenceinherlover’svictoryshefoundroominherhearttopityPonta。
Invainhestruggledtodefendhimself，toblock，tocoverup，toduck，toclinchintoamoment’ssafety。Thatmomentwasdeniedhim。
Knockdownafterknockdownwashisportion。Hewasknockedtothecanvasbackwards，andsideways，waspunchedintheclinchesandinthebreak-aways——stiff，joltyblowsthatdazedhisbrainanddrovethestrengthfromhismuscles。Hewasknockedintothecornersandoutagain，againsttheropes，rebounding，andwithanotherblowagainsttheropesoncemore。Hefannedtheairwithhisarms，showeringsavageblowsuponemptiness。Therewasnothinghumanleftinhim。Hewasthebeastincarnate，roaringandragingandbeingdestroyed。Hewassmasheddowntohisknees，butrefusedtotakethecount，staggeringtohisfeetonlytobemetstiff-handedonthemouthandsenthurlingbackagainsttheropes。
Insoretravail，gasping，reeling，panting，withglazingeyesandsobbingbreath，grotesqueandheroic，fightingtothelast，strivingtogetathisantagonist，hesurgedandwasdrivenaboutthering。
AndinthatmomentJoe’sfootslippedonthewetcanvas。Ponta’sswimmingeyessawandknewthechance。Allthefleeingstrengthofhisbodygathereditselftogetherforthelightningluckypunch。
EvenasJoeslippedtheothersmotehim，fairlyonthepointofthechin。Hewentoverbackward。Genevievesawhismusclesrelaxwhilehewasyetintheair，andsheheardthethudofhisheadonthecanvas。
Thenoiseoftheyellinghousediedsuddenly。Thereferee，stoopingovertheinertbody，wascountingtheseconds。Pontatotteredandfelltohisknees。Hestruggledtohisfeet，swayingbackandforthashetriedtosweeptheaudiencewithhishatred。Hislegsweretremblingandbendingunderhim；hewaschokingandsobbing，fightingtobreathe。Hereeledbackward，andsavedhimselffromfallingbyablindclutchingfortheropes。Heclungthere，droopingandbendingandgivinginallhisbody，hisheaduponhischest，untiltherefereecountedthefataltenthsecondandpointedtohimintokenthathehadwon。
Hereceivednoapplause，andhesquirmedthroughtheropes，snakelike，intothearmsofhisseconds，whohelpedhimtothefloorandsupportedhimdowntheaisleintothecrowd。Joeremainedwherehehadfallen。Hissecondscarriedhimintohiscornerandplacedhimonthestool。Menbeganclimbingintothering，curioustosee，butwereroughlyshovedoutbythepolicemen，whowerealreadythere。
Genevievelookedonfromherpeep-hole。Shewasnotgreatlyperturbed。Herloverhadbeenknockedout。Insofarasdisappointmentwashis，sheshareditwithhim；butthatwasall。
Sheevenfeltgladinaway。TheGamehadplayedhimfalse，andhewasmoresurelyhers。Shehadheardofknockoutsfromhim。Itoftentookmensometimetorecoverfromtheeffects。Itwasnottillsheheardthesecondsaskingforthedoctorthatshefeltreallyworried。
Theypassedhislimpbodythroughtheropestothestage，anditdisappearedbeyondthelimitsofherpeep-hole。Thenthedoorofherdressing-roomwasthrustopenandanumberofmencamein。TheywerecarryingJoe。Hewaslaiddownonthedustyfloor，hisheadrestingonthekneeofoneoftheseconds。Nooneseemedsurprisedbyherpresence。Shecameoverandkneltbesidehim。Hiseyeswereclosed，hislipsslightlyparted。Hiswethairwasplasteredinstraightlocksabouthisface。Sheliftedoneofhishands。Itwasveryheavy，andthelifelessnessofitshockedher。Shelookedsuddenlyatthefacesofthesecondsandofthemenabouther。Theyseemedfrightened，allsaveone，andhewascursing，inalowvoice，horribly。ShelookedupandsawSilversteinstandingbesideher。
He，too，seemedfrightened。Herestedakindlyhandonhershoulder，tighteningthefingerswithasympatheticpressure。
Thissympathyfrightenedher。Shebegantofeeldazed。Therewasabustleassomebodyenteredtheroom。Thepersoncameforward，proclaimingirritably：\"Getout！Getout！You’vegottocleartheroom！\"
Anumberofmensilentlyobeyed。
\"Whoareyou？\"heabruptlydemandedofGenevieve。\"Agirl，asI’malive！\"
\"That’sallright，she’shisgirl，\"spokeupayoungfellowsherecognizedasherguide。
\"Andyou？\"theothermanblurtedexplosivelyatSilverstein。
\"I’mvither，\"heansweredtruculently。
\"Sheworksforhim，\"explainedtheyoungfellow。\"It’sallright，I
tellyou。\"
Thenewcomergruntedandkneltdown。Hepassedahandoverthedamphead，gruntedagain，andarosetohisfeet。
\"Thisisnocaseforme，\"hesaid。\"Sendfortheambulance。\"
ThenthethingbecameadreamtoGenevieve。Maybeshehadfainted，shedidnotknow，butforwhatotherreasonshouldSilversteinhavehisarmaroundhersupportingher？Allthefacesseemedblurredandunreal。Fragmentsofadiscussioncametoherears。Theyoungfellowwhohadbeenherguidewassayingsomethingaboutreporters。
\"Youvillgetyournameinderpapers，\"shecouldhearSilversteinsayingtoher，asfromagreatdistance；andsheknewshewasshakingherheadinrefusal。
Therewasaneruptionofnewfaces，andshesawJoecarriedoutonacanvasstretcher。Silversteinwasbuttoningthelongovercoatanddrawingthecollaraboutherface。Shefeltthenightaironhercheek，andlookingupsawtheclear，coldstars。Shejammedintoaseat。Silversteinwasbesideher。Joewasthere，too，stillonhisstretcher，withblanketsoverhisnakedbody；andtherewasamaninblueuniformwhospokekindlytoher，thoughshedidnotknowwhathesaid。Horses’hoofswereclattering，andshewaslurchingsomewherethroughthenight。
Next，lightandvoices，andasmellofiodoform。Thismustbethereceivinghospital，shethought，thistheoperatingtable，thosethedoctors。TheywereexaminingJoe。Oneofthem，adark-eyed，dark-
bearded，foreign-lookingman，roseupfrombendingoverthetable。
\"Neversawanythinglikeit，\"hewassayingtoanotherman。\"Thewholebackoftheskull。\"
Herlipswerehotanddry，andtherewasanintolerableacheinherthroat。Butwhydidn’tshecry？Sheoughttocry；shefeltitincumbentuponher。TherewasLottie（therehadbeenanotherchangeinthedream），acrossthelittlenarrowcotfromher，andshewascrying。Somebodywassayingsomethingaboutthecomaofdeath。Itwasnottheforeign-lookingdoctor，butsomebodyelse。Itdidnotmatterwhoitwas。Whattimewasit？Asifinanswer，shesawthefaintwhitelightofdawnonthewindows。
\"Iwasgoingtobemarriedto-day，\"shesaidtoLottie。
Andfromacrossthecothissisterwailed，\"Don’t，don’t！\"and，coveringherface，sobbedafresh。
This，then，wastheendofitall——ofthecarpets，andfurniture，andthelittlerentedhouse；ofthemeetingsandwalkingout，thethrillingnightsofstarshine，thedeliciousnessofsurrender，thelovingandthebeingloved。ShewasstunnedbytheawfulfactsofthisGameshedidnotunderstand——thegripitlaidonmen’ssouls，itsironyandfaithlessness，itsrisksandhazardsandfierceinsurgencesoftheblood，makingwomanpitiful，notthebe-allandend-allofman，buthistoyandhispastime；towomanhismotheringandcaretaking，hismoodsandhismoments，buttotheGamehisdaysandnightsofstriving，thetributeofhisheadandhand，hismostpatienttoilandwildesteffort，allthestrainandthestressofhisbeing——totheGame，hisheart’sdesire。
Silversteinwashelpinghertoherfeet。Sheobeyedblindly，thedazeofthedreamstillonher。Hishandgraspedherarmandhewasturninghertowardthedoor。
\"Oh，whydon’tyoukisshim？\"Lottiecriedout，herdarkeyesmournfulandpassionate。
Genevievestoopedobedientlyoverthequietclayandpressedherlipstothelipsyetwarm。Thedooropenedandshepassedintoanotherroom。TherestoodMrs。Silverstein，withangryeyesthatsnappedvindictivelyatsightofherboy’sclothes。
Silversteinlookedbeseechinglyathisspouse，butsheburstforthsavagely：-
\"VotdidItellyou，eh？VotdidItellyou？Youvoodhafabruiserforyoursteady！An’nowyournamevillbeinallderpapers！Ataprizefight——vitboy’sclotheson！Youliddlestrumpet！Youhussy！You——\"
Butafloodoftearswelledintohereyesandvoice，andwithherfatarmsoutstretched，ungainly，ludicrous，holywithmotherhood，shetotteredovertothequietgirlandfoldedhertoherbreast。
Shemutteredgasping，inarticulatelove-words，rockingslowlytoandfrothewhile，andpattingGenevieve’sshoulderwithherponderoushand。