had fought, and the victories he had gained. His companions, who evidently had an affection for him, and who knew his prowefs, had no fuppofition that I could withstand him for five minutes: though the hopes of those who were the moft eager for the fport had been a little raised, by the alertnefs with which I rofe, after being at first knocked down, and the skill with which I then ftood on my defence.

The doubts that pervaded my mind imparted, I fuppofe, fomething of that appearance to my countenance which is occafioned by fear; for my adverfary approached me with looks of contempt; and, as I retreated, bade me ftand forward and face him like a man. The crowd behind feconded him; and, fearing it should be a run-away victory, was rather willing to prefs upon and push me forward than to recede, and give me any play. Hector and Andrews were

all

all the while very active, as inftiga

tors.

My indecifion occafioned me to receive feveral fevere blows, without returning one; till, at length, I was again extended on the ground, by a very defperate blow near the ear; which, for a few feconds, deprived me of all fenfe and recollection.

This was no longer to be endured. As foon as I recovered, I sprang on my feet, condescended to ftrip, and became in turn the affailant. The joy and vociferation of the mob were immenfe. They thought it had been all over; and to fee me now rife, ftand forward, and fight, as I did, with fo much determination and effect, was, to them, rapture. They had difcovered a hero. Their education had taught them, for fuch is education, that the man who has the power to endure and to inflict the moft mifery is the moft admirable.

For

For fix fucceffive rounds, I had completely the advantage; during which my brave foe had received five knock-down blows for that is the phrafe. His companions and friends were astonished. The beau pugilifts were vociferating their bets; five pounds to a crown in my fa

vour.

The carpenter was as hardy as he was courageous. He collected himself; I had become lefs circumfpect, and he threw in another dangerous blow near my temple, with the left hand, that again felled me infenfible to the earth.

I now recovered more flowly, and less effectually. I had been severely breathed, by the violence of exertion. The laws of pugiliftic war will not fuffer a man to lie, after being knocked down, more than a certain number of feconds. Hector had his ftop-watch in his hand; and tall Andrews joined him, to enforce the rule in all its rigour. I was lifted on

my

my

feet before I had perfectly recovered my recollection; and was again knocked

down, though with lefs injury. While down, I received a kick in the fide; of which my partifans inftantly accufed Andrews.

Meaning to do me mifchief, he did me a favour. The wrangling that took place gave me time to recover; and being again brought in face of my opponent, I once more propofed a reconciliation; and, ftretching out my arm, asked him to fhake hands. But, no. The ducking was too bitterly remembered. "He would beat me; or never go alive from the ground."

For a moment, the generous thought of acknowledging myfelf vanquished fuggefted itself: but rifing vanity, and falfe fhame, fpurned at the propofal; therefore, fince he was fo defperate, I had no refource but in being equally favage. Accordingly, I bent my whole powers to this deteflable purpose, brought him

twice

twice more to the ground, and, on the third affault, gave him a blow that verified his own prediction; for he fell dead at my feet, and was taken up lifeless from the place.

Agony to agony! Vice to vice! Such was my fate! Where, when, how, was it to have an end? Were not my own perfonal sufferings fufficient? Accufe an innocent man of theft ; deliver him over to the fury of a mob; and, not contented with that, meet him again to fight, beat, murder him! And without malice; without evil intention! Nay, with the very reverse abhorring the mischief I had done him; and admiring the intrepidity and fortitude he had displayed!

Nor did it end here: the intelligence that was inftantly fent round was horror indeed. He had left a wife and feven children!

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