THE PRIZE RING 241 



very long lease, certainly, but enough to enable the venerable 

 Prize Ring to die decently, with something even of splendour 

 about its final exit. 



But low as the Ring had fallen in England at the time 

 when Sayers first sprang into fame, it was never in such 

 an utterly barbarous state as in America. Ruffianism and 

 blackguardism were unfortunately too often the accompani- 

 ments of pugilism in this country, but even our ruffians 

 and blackguards were of a more civilised type than those 

 on the other side of the Atlantic. 



In one of the fights of John Morrissey, the notorious 

 ruffian who rose to be a member of the Legislative 

 Assembly, his opponent was a saloon rowdy named Bill 

 Poole. In order that I may not be accused of giving a 

 garbled account of the affair, I will quote the words of the 

 American reporter : — 



" There was no ring, but by general consent the throng 

 had kept a space open for the combat. Poole, in his 

 undershirt, was ready when his rival appeared. 



" Morrissey threw off his coat and shirt, and stood in his 

 red flannel undershirt, as brawny a young bruiser as the 

 most enthusiastic admirer of muscle could desire to see. 

 Poole was a model of powerful physique, and one of the 

 handsomest men of the day, carrying himself at the same 

 time most gracefully. 



" The fight began with some light sparring, Poole on 

 the defensive, and his opponent laying out for a chance to 

 close. Then Morrissey made a rush. But Poole was too 

 quick for him. As Morrissey struck at him, Poole ducked 

 and seized him by the ankles. In a second more he had 

 thrown him clean over his head, and, still gripping him 

 by the ankles, had turned and fallen on top of him. The 

 scene which followed was indescribable. The fighters, 

 clutching one another with grips of steel, gouged, bit, 

 butted, and pounded each other without cessation. They 

 never changed their positions, because they could not ; for 

 the moment they fell down the crowd closed in on them 

 till its feet touched their bodies, and the first row on each 

 side had its hands on the shoulders of those opposite, 

 keeping them far enough back for the combatants to have 



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