OUR SATURDAY STORY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 16, 18 January 1913, Page 16

OUR SATURDAY STORY.

A FIGHT THAT IS TOLD. L Tney tell that light al on* the road to-day. Old men who saw It want never a" listener when the talk turns on boxtng, and they can say-. -All, but I saw Japhra's Gentleman and Foxy P—sent back tn Boob M—tdox's _ne." I tell it as it is tc—. ■Wily (the old men say), why, this Japlra's Gent——, mark mc, he was one ot the quick ones—one of tie —overs, one ot the swift-boys, one of the da—lers, one of the few! He come In ttc-tac! tic-tac! tic-tac.—qmckern my old Jaws can say lt. I—ft-rlghti left-right! left-right!—like his two fists was a postman's knock. Pinsent never see nothing like it. He was one of the class ones, —la Pinsent—one of -he pretty ones, one of tie sp_rers, one of the walk-rounds, talk-rounds, one of the wait-a-bits; never in no hurry, the class-ring boys—all watching first to see what a man's got for 'em. He mnddy soon saw, Foxy! Foxy never see nothing like it. First alon-g, he prop this quick-boy off, and prop him off. an' prop him off, an' catch him fair and rattle him. an' smash him one and stagger him, an* side step an' shake him np; tmt still he come, and still he come, and still he come —tic-tac! tic-tac! tic-— el Ai! he was one of tie qui— ones, one of the dazzlers, one of the steel beys. Pinsent never see nothing like tt. He come back after the first round, —inking this was novice stuff—going all otrt like that from the gong—and laugh—' at the bustle of It, an* Buck Os-born an' **nt Harris an' his boys langhln' back at MmSecond round he come back an* give a bit of a spit npon the ground, an' ease op his trunks an' look though-—-. Third round he step back slowly'g if he'd a puzzle to tilnk about—third round, I mind mc, Bingo, Dingo Spain, chip him friendly -while he pass the sponge over him, and Foxy turn on him like he had the devil in his eyes: "What in hell's that to your* he give him. "Keep your grins In your ugly mouth," he give him, "lest you want mc to wipe it for yon"!" He was rattled some, that foxy one; not inrted much—one of tie tough ones, Foxy—hot bothered by it and not quite sure what to make of it; like a man with a wops buzzing rot—d his head—that was the like of It with that <1 nick-boy com—' at —_, an" comtn' at him, an' comin' at btm.

■Ay, but he was one of the tongh ones. Foxy—one of the He-lows, one of the shifty ones, one of the snaky boys, one of tie cautious! He went out fourth round for to serve it up to —at qui—-boy with some ot his crafty bits. I like a bit o* craft meself. I wag a Madriox man, mc, an' I set up a holler, an' we all holler, take my word, when we see Poxy servm' of it np to that quick-boy like he lay hLsseif to do tieGive his tongue to him a treat, he did. W-alkin' out to him—tip-toe and crouch!n' at bim— "What, you're in a hurry, my gentleman!" he chips him. "Yo-TI make yourself hot. -my pretty pet, if you dont settle down,- he chips _in. That's not lady's manners, runnin' about Eke ye >o*ve bin," he chips him.

That quick-boy come at him an* be stlp a bit of craft on him q_ck as a snake. The dJa, that foxy one; an' duck an* sa y. "Wl—re's your n_—nersr** an' rake his head across and butt that quick -boy's stomach so he grunts; an' up an' hook him one, and* follow hfm, an' las _ him one, an* __d your manners, you bastard!" he says, _• __ »„«„, n-s an' walUn' for him. Three times he bntt him so. an' each time hoot him one, an' all tie time iip-lrpp— • of him, an' us boys holleriu.' an' Si—igo's boys holler—', an' _ c t__,_ a fn _ c cages bo{m lerin back on ns. noller!— I mind mc I was in a fair mock sweat with it.

Back he goes again, next rc_d, that foxy one, an. "Why, dear, dear, you've got some beauty-spots on your face, my pretty gentleman. ** he chips him. -Come an- let's paint 'em up for you, my little lady!** he chips him. Ay, that was a round, that one! I—it Japhra—a rare one that Gipsy Japhra—had been talkin' to that qni—-boy while he had him on his knee; an' wijen he comes in, an' that foxy one goes to rake him Witt, ____• -hi- again, he step baok that quick-boy, for to cut him as he come out. I see the move- but that foxy onej Ail craft that foxy one was—on e of the anairy ones, one of the tough boys, one of the coves! -Stead o' swing-' throng his head he swing up an' hook his teft '_ with it an' chin that (Jul—-boy one, an' •Taint!-* he ..r*her e . s ~ you dog."' an' i_h him one where Be had a little mo_e-ln_p over his eye; an' true enough, tie pai_ , cross> ( ____ streaky down that qnick-bov-a face.

Tou'd ha thought-I lay mc I tnow what that foxy one thought Blood-fierce went that foxy one when he see that Wood , __. r- _ IT" _*"* aftCr bl ° od ' to finish _L H,° tt to era " went ln for to hanuner __ H e muddy soon goed bate- craft -gain. Foxy! That quick-bo, Ms head an' run back; _/_,-, a breath _• meets him; an- throats him one an staggers him; „• draWß _ _ Teath follows him; an" pastes him one an- gn__ him; an tic-tac! tic-tac! tic-taci an* follows him, an follows him, an' f o nows him Like , a n W ,°w ?' Was - Ute » b_H___ he was, an that foxy one gets all muddled with him an runs back puzzled with nl m an' then catches hold of ___-. an' stops Wsself--1 reckon he wondered where'n hen he'd be soon if he d-nt-and puts In that dn--craft again; _• that qtrick-bov steadies for him like old Japhra bin t___of him; an' when tl—t lO xy one swings across, that quickly „ nnd9r bfin-cn-ae- like a stone-breaker with his aat foXT one «n«e back to us With his mouth spHt, an' his chin redan' while he sit blow-' take a too. ont : an while he sit blowing get it on bis chest from where th ß blood nm to his chin. -«_-•*» n. But Perciva] had suffered under the punishment of these -rage encounters and nnder the immense exertions of that unceasing in-flgh—i s to which Japhra had urged him. Back on Japhra-s _— "I've dosed hhn, Japhra," he said. "He's taking all I can give him." There was a sob in his gui- breathing as he spoke, and he smiled weakly and leant back against Japhra's shoulder. Japhra's eyes were sunk in his twisted face to twin points of glisten—g light. His voice trembled, and his hand as he plied the sponge. "He will not drink much more " he said. "Thou art hot after that coward streak in him. I mark the signs of it. Keep up the dose, master! Never such a nght-and never thy like! thy like' Follow Mm, son of mine—follow him' follow him! A last can on thyself! Watch him where he sucks his tender knuckles." Pinsent knew better than Japhra the tenderness of those broad knuckles of his; he knew. too. that he was housing an uneasy feeling beneath his belt, born of the bewildering persistence of his opponent and of the punishing fists which that persistence pressed upon him, giving him no peace. He was sore; he bad reached the point when

Wows were beg__n g to hurt Wm—that was a point beyond which be knew It w_ dangerous for Mm to delay proceedings, j Again! He came forward with a trick in , Us mind that he had seen and that he had I once playful ry pract—tag on Buck Osbora. j Thought of it helped him to his foxy smile, that was a grotesque burlesque of itself as he made It with his swollen month; but again!—again that steel-sprlnged fury was on following him, following him, following him. Pinsent must needs use his j fists to try to check Its rashes; when he effected a savage blow the jar at his | knuckles made hi— wince. Twice he went j backwards round the ring—a third time, and i feinted a stumble as he moved his feet. It made his chance. Perdval, coming too quick, ran fall Into him. He ducked, then drove up bis head with an his force beneath tie other's jaw. The trick succeeded better than when be had seen it and marked It for future use. Jarred to the point of unconsciousnesß, Percival staggered back, his arms wide. At the exposed throat Pinsent drove his left fist with all the driving power his body and legs could give it; with the dull wup of a wet sheet beaten on stone, Perdval went his full lervxh, and full length lay. "Tune!" throated Stingo, and at the word tie facing crowds* that as one man had _ their breaths, went Into two tnnmlts of jostling figures, tossing arms, and of brazen throats before whose th nnders, beating the air like thunder's self, Japhra, Ginger Cronk, Snowball White, and One Eye bent I their bends as they came rushing forward. "T—le!" Japhra snarled at Pinsent. **Ont of this, thou foul-play fox!" "Out yon!" Pinsent shouted. He stood over the prostrate form breathing quick, one arm curved back as If it held a stabbing sword: "Out you! Enough o' this! Private between him an' mc now. Stand out and let him np for mc! Ont!" "Boss! Boss!" Japhra called, and dropped on his knees by Perclval, dizzily rising on an elbow. "Boss! What's this? Order him out! Have him out!"

"Play fair! Fight fair!"—with cries and oaths the Stingo men pressed to the canvas shaking fists aloft, with cries and oaths and tossing fists were answered. A Stingo man put his leg over the canvas and half, his body into the ring; a leg and flush ed face struck out on tie other side. Then in a rush men broke acr os_ the canvas, poor ed into the ring, and met in two raging, foulmouthed banks that strained about tbe boxers. Boss Maddox thr_t his way forwin_ "Ge' back! Ge* back! I'll have 'cc out the tent, every man of 'cc! Ge' back! Ge' back! By God, I'll have tie lamp cot!" And he fought his way back to tbe mast and stretched bis band to the «**»>*»» that released the extinguishers upon the burners. A Stingo man and a Maddox man, carrying each the other's eye as the two 6—es bayed and jostled, made private cause of the common brawl, and closed with -latching hands. Another pair engaged, and now another whirled in that tossing mob, and flung the crowd this way and that in their furious grappling, Eke fighting tigers in a stockade breaking in pieces at their violence. Boss Maddox's iron throat like a trumpet across the din: "The light goes! The light goes!** It flickered; savage ban— tore at the fighters, savage feet kicked _rlo_ commands; nickered again, and suddenly the immense clamour went to a cry, to a broken shout, to peace. ' P—sent"*'tonsßed ■' his way to the front. "Easy, Boss, I want that light. I've a Job to finish," he said, and In the laugh that went up added, "Tbe boysTl be all right" He threw his arms- apart in gesture of command. "Out o' the tin gV he cried. "Ton're robbin' mc of it. Gett—' his wits back! Td ba' cut him out by now!" Three parts supporting Perdval, Japhra. with Ginger Cronk and the rest, bad taken him back through tbe mob and supported him while they tended him. The tumult gave him five ndnntes, and he was sitting up as the men returned growling to their places. He looked at Ima, crouchlag by hire, read tie entreaty in her eyes, and answered it and at tie same time answered Jahpra's "How of It, master?" by shaking his bead. "Nor" he said. "No!" and felt Japhra's arms tighten about him.

Another heard him and pressed forward. It was Egbert Hunt, tears running down his face. "You ain't going on?" he cried. "Ton ain't going on! Stop it, Mr Japhra! Stop this murder!" Japhra's left arm was about Perdval's body, his right hand nsed the sponge. Those near him for the first and only time heard him use a coarse expression. As be were some tigress above a threatened cub he drew Percrval closer to him and turned savagely up at Egbert's pallid face: "Shut thy bloody, coward month!" he cried at him. "M_a work here! Quit you, you whelp."

The ring was dear. Pinsent came out •"•eking a list. Perdval got to his feet stood a i—_ent, the blood that had dripped to his chest the red badge of courage flying there—then walked forward. So—ewhere in the crowd a woman's voice shot np hysterically. "God love y_ * SMled; " TC ' re pITCk: - -ni. That foxy one (the old men say) he come out snckln' his flstses that were gone more like messy or_dges than ever flstses ever I see. He see that quick-boy rock-- a _i t on his feet where he stood, an' he spit bis flst out his mouth an' he mn aiap down at him for to _toct him off his legs by run-n' into him. He nin at him bard as he could pelt, that foxy one: an- that quickboy stan' 's if be w « dreamin' an' never see no—in* of him. Ah, but that q_ __ r could have fought if be was asleep, I reckon mc! _c slip aside, squeeze aside, twtet aside Jus* as -at foxy one reach __- go quick the twist, _ what waa wat_iu'"the ground for to see him go there never see him move. I reckon that foxy _ c „„, did neither. He muddy soon knowed thon-h. Foxy! He go sprawlin' by . aa' _ _7go that quick-boy clip him one an' bete __ go an' st-nhle him. Bc_, d _. ___ foxy one, savage with it: an' that quick-boy area-in' there again; an' rosh hi_ for to rush hhn down again: an' this time that quick-boy, too tired for to shift by the look of it, hat him have it as he come f_r under the eye, aa* Poxy jus* swing him one SL_S < _? k "*' that Bhlft Uie he shift hlsself before: an" he clip that f OIy one the other fist a clip yon could ha- heard far as yonder tree, an- cUp that same eye agamz an' us see the blood run up into Foxys peeper: an' that one h_ head, an' shake his Head, Hke he was blinded with it. He sha-T, mjL™ more. Foxy, afore he was through! He set in for to do the rushing then, uke that quick-boy had done first al>on g; an- _ at quick-boy's turn, dreamin' there, for to do the proppin* off. But he not rush Uke that quick*oy rush. He shake his bead an' have a go at him: an' that quick-boy prop him off and wait for him: _• he shake his head an wad* round a Wt> __. „, he _ Q __, at him: an' that quick-boy wake hlsself an prop __ off! an- he suck his fist an' wipe his eye, an' ur! he come again- an' that quick-boy twist hlssetf an- giy c " him one-crack! my _ c . his fistses was like stones, that quick-boy's! Ah, my word! my word! th en they -ot n, "• r^Lf d Ja P bra - a ~e Gipsy Japbra!_sin S out "Cot in! cut In!

i • HO— master!" and that quickioy ...'.: neave of hl_elf an' they meet, those two-slapper-d—(h! B_pper-dash! this way! tl» way! punch—'! pan—tin'! an' they tall twa » those two, an' breathe _eirselves. _• their selves: an' that foxy one has month all anyhow an' fair roarin' of hk breath throngh it: an' his head all twisty ways with only one eye for watchln' witij an' they rush those two—my life! ties were rare ones! Hit as they come thott two —an' that pot the stopper on It. ___ stones—crack! like stones—my word on It, their fists met, an' Foxy drop his left j— like it was broke at the elbow. Then nt takes it! Like a bull-tarrier—Uk e a ban, tarrier, my word on it, that quick-boy w at him. One! he smash him an' oeart him, an* I see that foxy one glaze in _* eye an' stagger with it. Two! that qtdcfc. boy drive him an' rib him. an' I hear that foxy one grant an' see him waggle an his hanging arm an.' drop It. Three! that ante*, boy smash him and throat him, and bathe goes, that foxy one! and crash he goeal an' flat he lies—an', my life! to hear tht breathing of him! Life of mc! there was never a knock-out like ft: never one could do it like that quickboy done It! Never no one as quick as that quick-boy when first along he cpaie tlc-ta<_ tic-—c! tic-tac! left-right! left-right! left, right! Never one could come again after he " was bashed like that quick-boy Never hie like! One of the rare ones, om of tie clean-breds, one of the true-bluet one of the all-rights, one of the get—m stop-there, win-there—one o" tie itemed; rv. ;v - Q_t—lag In silence, the fadeg uuuj. stood while tie connt wen*. "Nine!"* throated Stingo—scarcely a whs, perStill ness while perhaps Are Messsl passed. Then Boss Maddox spent Us hands towards the ring in aa exprwsh* gesture. ■- Then men came rushing op to Fliwinl _+ shook him: "Up, Foxy! T?p! then PUaamt drew np his knees, groaned, and smsml to collapse anew. Then, then the atom burst tn a bellow of sound, in a rat «1 figure— All, ell of clamour that had pa* before—of exultation, hate, deflinre, _jjjjj want, rage—seemed now to bind oplitn clanging rolls of thunder that In _—ls» went. In trrander — under— back,' -at thundered on again. Perclval tamed sal saw Japhra run-in g towards bin aa arari length in advance of the mob that follow* He fell into Japhra's arms, frit till—at pressed, pressed to Japan's heart, _ut in his ears "Never the like! Son of otoe, never thy like!" He knew a. drrring Mb behind his back, before, and an stent Ua —heard curses, grappling, blows. Has] Japhra's cry "Up with bini! TJ»r* _ It thy self borne aloft, and dimly was coosriosl that his hearers were staggered tWs sty and that by the blood that surged -boat them. Sudden darkness, ana sudd— _at delicious air and sodden most dell—>os ak) was has next impression—they had got Urn oats—c the tent. At his next he mta the van, on his conch, smiling at those w-t bent atoove him. --,_ [Prom "The Happy Warrior," by A.A. Hntchinson; published by Alston lUrea; 3/6. A man's book; the biggest *&«*— novel of —12-3 ,;< ; 1 . ' ■:_BP.