COVERT-SHOOTING. 93 



be foolish. "Take care, Captain," said one, who 

 partially recognised him, and knew he was not quite 

 what he seemed ; " it's the Birmingham Bone- 

 Crusher ! " But the young dandy would hear of no 

 compromise or interference. He had been " inthulted',' 

 he again said, and, unless the " gentleman " apologised, 

 he should ''beat himr After the manner of those 

 times a " ring" was at once formed, seconds appointed 

 and the ill-matched pair, amidst wonder and laughter, 

 began to " strip " for a regular fight, which was to be 

 conducted under the accustomed and strict rules of 

 the P.R. The brawny pugilist was first in the ring, 

 nude to the waist ; his enormous limbs and body 

 looking perhaps too enormous, too full of beef and 

 beer, no doubt, for an encounter with a worthier 

 antagonist ; but against such a one as now stood 

 before him none doubted the result. Calmly and 

 deliberately, as he did everything, the dandy " peeled " 

 to the skin, and as he drew the finely-embroidered 

 dress-shirt over his head, one who was present told 

 me the " Bone-Crusher " suddenly gave a start, and 



