36 FIGHT WITH A PITMAN. CHAP. III. 



the challenge, when a day was fixed on which the fight 

 was to come off. 



Great was the excitement at Black Caller ton when 

 it was known that George Stephenson had accepted 

 Nelson's challenge. Everybody said he would be killed. 

 The villagers, the young men, and especially the boys 

 of the place, with whom George was a great favourite, 

 all wished that he might beat Nelson, but they scarcely 

 dared to say so. They came about him while he was at 

 work in the engine-house to inquire if it was really true 

 that he was " goin to fight Nelson ? " " Ay ; never 

 fear for me ; I'll fight him." And fight him he did. 

 For some days previous to the appointed day of battle, 

 Nelson went entirely off work for the purpose of keep- 

 ing himself fresh and strong, whereas Stephenson went 

 on doing his daily work as usual, and appeared not in 

 the least disconcerted by the prospect of the affair. So, 

 on the evening appointed, after George had done his 

 day's labour, he went into the Dolly Pit Field, where 

 his already exulting rival was ready to meet him. 

 George stripped, and " went in " like a practised pugi- 

 list though it was his first and last fight. After a few 

 rounds, George's wiry muscles and practised strength 

 enabled him severely to punish his adversary, and to 

 secure an easy victory. 



This circumstance is related in illustration of Stephen- 

 son's personal pluck and courage ; and it was thoroughly 

 characteristic of the man. He was no pugilist, and the 

 very reverse of quarrelsome. But he would not be put 

 down by the bully of the colliery, and he fought him. 

 There his pugilism ended ; they afterwards shook hands, 

 and continued good friends. In after life, Stephenson' s 

 mettle was often as hardly tried, though in a different 

 way ; and he did not fail to exhibit the same resolute 

 courage in contending with the bullies of the railway 

 world, as he showed in his encounter with Ned Nelson, 

 the fighting pitman of Callerton. 



