86 mmy3 oX tbe 1buntinc*ffiel^ 



sympathetic cord. Instead of yells and groans there were 

 rounds of cheers ; and from that hour to the end of the 

 contest, in which, after a hard struggle, he was beaten, 

 not a single attempt at molestation was offered to 

 him. 



On another occasion, when about to enter one of the 

 banking-houses at Leicester, he hitched his horse's 

 bridle over the iron rails in front of the bank. While 

 his master was inside, the horse stood across the street. 

 A coalheaver, coming by with his cart, gave the nag a 

 flanker with his whip, which nearly sent him into the 

 bank window. This brought out the squire. ' Why did 

 you strike my horse?' was the inquiry. 'Because he 

 was in my way,' was the reply. ' Defend yourself,' was 

 the rejoinder ; and the coalheaver doffed his smock- 

 frock, while the squire buttoned his coat and turned up 

 his cuffs. At it they went with hearty goodwill. For 

 the first time in his life Tom Smith found he had got his 

 match ; for the fellow stood six feet, and weighed four- 

 teen stone. There was no flinching on either side, and 

 they followed one another up and down the street as 

 closely as a loving couple in a country dance. The 

 noise, however, soon brought the constables, and the 

 combatants were separated amidst the cheering of the 

 crowd. ' You will hear of me again,' said Mr Smith to 

 his resolute antagonist, as he mounted his horse and 

 rode quietly away. So they parted, each having had 

 apparently pretty well enough. Mr Smith went out to 

 dine with his friend Edge, to whom, although much 

 punished, and, it is reported, with a beefsteak over his 

 eye, he told the story with great relish. On the follow- 

 ing morning the squire's groom was seen inquiring 

 where the coalheaver lived. His residence having been 



