THE REV. JOHN RUSSELL. 33 



On a fixed day, then, soon afterwards, the 

 party on both sides liaving assembled in Denne's 

 rooms, with Gordon alone to witness the match, 

 Russell was deputed to open the ball, the antag- 

 onist selected to meet him being the second 

 best man of the Christ Church lot. It was a 

 brisk set-to while it lasted, but, evidently, a 

 one-sided affair from beginning to end ; for 

 Russell's long reach, and quick, straight blows, 

 which fell with tremendous thuds on his adver- 

 sary's visage, brought the trial to a close in 

 little more than ten minutes. 



The latter, admitting himself overmatched, 

 then declined the unequal contest ; while Russell, 

 self-reliant and still "fresh as paint," refused to 

 take off his gloves, calling stoutly for the next 

 man to come on. Denne, however, interposed 

 and would have his turn ; going in first with 

 No. I, then No. 3, and finally polishing them 

 both off with as much ease as if they had 

 been two old women. 



"Now," said Russell, addressing Gordon 

 aside, "I think you had better take your three 

 fellows home and don't make such fools of 

 them again." 



But the meeting did not end there. Denne, 

 willing to show the Christ Church men what a 

 real set-to meant, invited Russell to put on the 

 gloves with him and give them a lesson. Now, 

 Denne being a master-hand at the work, it was 



D 



