72 SAM DARLING'S REMINISCENCES 



I quote from my friend, who wTote at the time, 

 what my memory absolutely verifies : 



" Last evening, I, who write, incited various 

 young bloods to box on the first-class deck, and 

 we had quite a good show. It all began through 

 a young Irishman wanting to have the gloves on 

 with a German schoolmaster, who had treated 

 him more or less disagreeably throughout the 

 voyage ; but when the gloves were brought no- 

 thing would induce the Teutonic pedagogue to 

 emerge from the protecting vicinity of two ladies, 

 though his would-be opponent offered him one 

 pair with pertinacious courtesy. However, having 

 got so far, we declined to be disappointed, and 

 our young Irish friend found some one else to take 

 him on. They fought two short rounds of hurri- 

 cane character, the Irishman having all the best 

 of it ; and after it was over, the German school- 

 master, who had ventured to the side of the vessel, 

 hastily returned to the protecting petticoats. Two 

 other opponents were soon found, and these went 

 through three rounds, timed by myself, amid much 

 applause. Then Dr. Waldron and his brother had 

 a go of three rounds, and quite a lively one it was, 

 the countenance of the brother showing unmis- 

 takable signs this morning. It was really amusing 

 sport, and livened everybody up marvellously, 

 except one puritanical gentleman, who was horrified 



