THE PRIZE RING 233 



man no rest, and rattled his blows in like a shower of 

 hailstones. 



In the sixth round, with the betting still lo to i on 

 Broughton, Slack made a sudden spring and planted right 

 and left in quick succession full and fair between 

 Broughton's eyes. The effect was magical : in an instant 

 the Champion's puffy flesh swelled up, and his eyes were 

 closed. He seemed suddenly struck blind, and groped 

 his way about the ring in such a feeble way that the Duke 

 of Cumberland, who had laid ;^io,ooo upon him, cried out 

 anxiously, " Why, Broughton, what's the matter with you ? 

 Why, take a rest, man !" 



But though the veteran went to his corner and rested, it 

 did him no good. He was worse than ever when he stood 

 up again ; he didn't seem to know where his adversary was, 

 and let Slack strike him twice without making any attempt 

 to return the blows. 



" Why, damme, Broughton," yelled the Duke of Cumber- 

 land ; "you're beat, man! What are you about, man? 

 Don't lose the fight." To which Broughton shouted back, 

 " I'm not beat, your Royal Highness; but I can't see my 

 man ! I'm blind, but I'm not beat! Only let me see my 

 man, and I'll win yet!" 



It was a vain wish. The veteran's eyes were hopelessly 

 closed, and for the first time in his life he tasted defeat. 

 He was led away helpless, and John Slack was proclaimed 

 Champion of England. 



Broughton never fought again. His patron, the Duke of 

 Cumberland, was so exasperated at losing his i^io,ooo that 

 for a long while he would not forgive Broughton or have 

 anything to do with him. The patrons who had pampered 

 him while he was successful deserted him, and he had to 

 give up his Amphitheatre and retire into private life. But 

 in the end the Duke relented, obtained an appointment for 

 his old protege, and left him an annuity. George III., too, 

 had a great respect for the old gladiator, and never passed 

 him without raising his hand and shouting out a genial 

 "How d'ye do. Master Jack?" 



In his latter days Broughton became a connoisseur in 

 articles of vertu and a dabbler in stocks. His speculations 



