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Show Irrt !H ft J LL T 1 99 TFT& H J First Battle for the World's Championship, for Which JeffrTli Ine bail or Jack Broughton whtNjui HKS "You lind brat, aeo Mack' Slack," said HH Captain Cleveland with a grin, "ilc una Hf join- name lighting for breath." jHH j Broughton turned, fcownlncr. "What MjHI linn i ho butcher to say of me?" he dc- IflHH mnnded. BSBm . "That he's a better man than over yon HSB were." said Cleveland, "lie's over ther :it thes rail with a court of his hangers-on. and to hear him, he's linaton yon thirty times within the hour." Brougliton made u gostuic of Inipa-tlcncc. Inipa-tlcncc. "From all accounts he's a rare, plucked one at tlx; talking. Let'a :n- how ho will talk with me to listen." He H xhouldorccl a way through the throng In HK l'"" direction Indicated by Clcvcliind. It was a day of niehuc at llotmslow and the "course wan lined by the thou-sands thou-sands como from London for the days sport, qentlllty and commonality wro 4 mingled on the green, gold lace hobnob-blng hobnob-blng with fustian. Brougliton himself, , for manv sears Hie undisputed champion . of tho "science of self-defense." had ai-H ai-H rived In company with the duke of Uiim- berlaud, he of Culloden, hla friend and i patron. It was that distinguished .sports-H .sports-H imin thai Captain Cleveland now sought B out. lie found him standing near his OH coach. HB "There's good game afoot, your hlgh- jS . itcis." wild Cleveland, cngerly. "What would you say io a match between flH Broughton and Slack, tho butcher1.'" IH ' "Now that whs well thought of," said WM Duke William, warmly. "Thin fellow BE Slack 13 a hardy and courageous flgbier. H 1 know of no one, snvo only George Tay- HHff lor. so likely to give Broughton a clone Kfl brush- JInc they come together?" HHj "They aro together now," chuckled ( Cleveland, "though what will como of it 1 is not auro as yet. By great gooil luck IB 1 was near tho rail when 1 heard Slack DPI bawling lire and thunder, among his WKkp friends, you may bo sure. Ho mlsealh-d ' Lroughton and 1 hastened to do ouv IBM champion the good service of an Inform- BHf (r. You know how emlelc he Is to stand HKI niton his name and loputatloii." mUM 1 "Good."' said tho duke. "Sluck should I I find hackers If he Is minded to enter Hi l!W ring." wKm "lie will," answered Cleveland. "Ho KjX has cn.il le a following at Slaughter's. HjflS Your highness will have no trouble iliul HJ lng takers for your money, though the HJ odds may bo long." J The duke rubbed his hands checi fully. DH "Hare sport and a big wagor, Cleveland. H What, more can we ask? Ann for other BJ reasons wc should be glad to see Brough- HJ ton put to It. He has had no serious IH contender those many years and the man I!Mis growing Insufferable with his grumbling grum-bling and .his humors. This should set him on edge." "lie has a very small opinion of i Slack," said Cleveland, "the more so that the butcher was but recently beaten by George Taylor." ".nd a hard, clean fight, it was," nodded tho duke. "Slack Is promising .Hid will mill until he cannot lift a hand." "You have no doubt of Broughton's superiority".'" "What doubt could 1 have? Brough-ton Brough-ton has beaten Taylor and Taylor nas whipped Slack. Ilroitghlon Is Invincible. The butcher Is a slugging hitter, of good hot torn and courage. I have seen lil in stand up with Dan Smith, the Suffolk Suf-folk champion, for a long hour when ho was weaving on his logs and his second ready to cry the word, and he won In the end. But he can not stand to Broughton." Brougliton Like an Ox. Your Highness Is undoubtedly right," said Cieveland, "though Slack's youth and strength will make him a worthy foeman. Here comes Brougliton now, with battle in his eye." The great boxer was shouldering his way through the crowd toward his "royal patron, whom ho saluted as he came up. He was a man of tremendous build, mighty limbs and erect pos, just under six feet In height and a figure of note In any gathering. Originally a Thames waterman, ho practiced tho "manly arts of foil play, back sword, cudgeling and boxing" since thu days of Fig. the great public fighter. From 17i:t. seven years before, his amphitheater in Oxford road had been the acknowledged center of pugilism, whero ho managed the best matches of the time and taught the young bloods of the town the games In which he was unchallenged master. Broughton's following was numerous and aristocratic, and since the failure of George Taylor's rival establishment he had enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity. The Duke of Cumberland had taken him under his special protection and tho pugilist had accompanied bis royal friend during a tour of the continent. Through the same benefactor Brougliton Brougli-ton had been made, a yeoman of the guard and had attained ree-ogiilllon In court circles. In appearance the champion cham-pion was graceful and of great symmetry. symme-try. Ills expression was frank and engaging, en-gaging, manly and dignified. His light cys were remarkably keen and contributed con-tributed no little to the Impression of confidence and command felt by all who came In contact with him. ' Well. Jack," said the duke, "Cleveland "Cleve-land tells ine you have met the butcher. "What- did you make with him?"' "Little enough." said Brougliton. wllii the blunt, stralghtforw.-ird manner he adopted toward all, .gentle and simple. "It sticks In my head that this Slack is a coward." "I'll warrant he Is none." cried the duke. "Bui what passed between you?" ' I found him crowing iiinong his iMifek-c.ns. iMifek-c.ns. Tie was making free of me. that I was old and fat with high living and had lost my bottom and could not stand up like a man. J should have clouted the rogue on the snot save for having' In mind the sport I could gio Your Highness High-ness and the greater pleasure of milling him soundly. "'What's this you've got to say to mc?" I paid, and laid a. hand on his shoulder shoul-der Ho spun around where he stood and his Jaw foil away. I was hot. 'A horse whip hi what you need to teach you manners.' T said. He twisted away, but some of thoso about him began to murmur and he faced again. " 'Will you flghtV f asked him. He grumbled. "Aye, T will.' " 'Then hold your tonguo between your teeth come the time to misname the man hofi beats you,' I told him, tho surly "You did well, Jack." said the Duke. 'You will fight him in your amphithea-"Two amphithea-"Two weeks hence." said Brougliton. "unless on sober thought he twkv.s to his heels To hold him I put up tlio whole house as a purse. If 1 cannot thrash. J , ' . . h i T ) r A KiifA SS? svi5r-' ' ' From a Painting by From a Bust by Sivier , lJ , l-.., j -- Vtfy sps. n jp-r a Ccproducd frnn, "Tb, tilt- ft& 1 ft -59 fTTl Wk T A jX "T nt" ton of Briiah BoxIdc" V . Pf fikkl?0 I BtPdiiert from "The III I . Iilin I will have no losers' sweets to hold m.v stomach, with him fresh from a beal-ng beal-ng by Georgle Taylor. I fo lu.s friou.ls o back him. . .vr,y.s. covoifri iKl,.n hlk- ,s ,Y0W Jl'Shness minded io venture on me? "Every f.-niblng onn nnd a laker for. answered Hie Dnkc enthusiaatlcjilly. Bets on the BalUo. Capl.iiii Cleveland was watching the champion keenly. "Two weeks is noup too long In which to lose some of the weight on that great body of yours Brougliton." he. said. Th- boxer flushed. "Slack will find m.; I Slit and heavy enough, sind you. too.. ( aplaln t level.-iud. If you care to wa scion sci-on Hie bulehor'.s ehanroj:." " Captain Cleveland held his peace, but he was not convinced. Brougliton. to a careful eye. was a trlle too portly Tor fast work in company with a vigoious youngster like Slack It was evident moreover, that the champion despised life adversary and would make no efforts to nrlng hlmseli io condition. The r.-iptnin promised himself l have u look at Sla-k before he i-isked money on tho outcomr On April JO. I7.")0. ih. ,iay before that sel for tho baill-. Brought on sent one nf his supporters Io ih Inn whr Slack had put up. The messenger carried ten guineas which he presented to Hie pugilist, pugi-list, explaining that Brougluon desired to clinch the arrangement beyond anv possible doubt. "Dues ho think I shall fail to be there then?" asked Slack, pocket lug ic coins! ' He fenred you might draw out," said the envoy. "Tdl him 1 keep bis money to bet against him." said Slack. "Ami let him rest easy. Mack' Brougliton will have cause to know that I am knee to knee with him." Slack, who was I hen at the height of his powers, had been a butcher In Norwich. Nor-wich. He had rought a straight series of victories through tlm provinces and had come to London in the preceding January to try Ids fortune with the members of the noiable group that gathered gath-ered about rtroughiun. Mis ilrst trjal had ended in defeat at the bunds of Gcorgo Taylor after a. desperate contest. lie was fully three inches shorter than Brougliton. though his weight was nearly equal' to the champ.ion'.o in his prime. His build was rather compact than graceful, with thick ankles nnd wrists and extraordinary extraor-dinary width of chest, lb- had learned the various blows and methods of guarding guard-ing as Ilrst devised by Brougliton. but had developed a style of. his mvn. being remarkably agile and quick of eye, u was said of hliu that he never gnv'e back-In back-In a rally and that lie stood "rendv to meet a knockout blow if he eonld" not stop it, rather than jump out of range. For all Broughton's scorn of him. Flack had not the slightest streak of the coward. Tie had stood up Io Ta.v lor until flesh and bone could do no more. After that crushing defeat, with Ills star cheeked and faltering in its upward coun-e. the butcher had determined upon a plan that test Hied both to his shrewdness shrewd-ness and to his undeterred ambition. B?aten by Taylor, he aspired to obtain a match with the conqueror of Tavlor nnd snatch the laurels from the father of the science. Ills behavior had been dl-reded dl-reded to that end, and .Broughton's fear of hi wlihdrawn.1 amused him mightily. At 0 o'clock of Wednesday morning the doors of Broughton's amphitheater were thrown open to the swarm of men nnd boys that had gathered in Oxford road. These early comers were the spectators spec-tators of the pit, The champions were i not to meet until noon, and the wealth I e r TIIE BEATEN CHAMPION patrons of the sport never arrived until shortly before that time. In the center of tho amphitheater stood the stage, or ring. twcnly-llvo feet .".qua re, and raised some live feet from the ground. The space about this was the pit. At Iho sides, roofed over, were the boxes, and above 'them wis a gallery. gal-lery. Tho stage and pit were open to the air. Some three thousand spectators could be accommodated within the walls-. The Gladiators, The Duke of Cumberland was among the first to appear In the boxes, and as acquaintances began to arrive his belling bel-ling tablets were in requisition. He looked upon any wager on iiluck as found money and gave cc and six to one with great willing!. Ills alacrity did not meet with its proper response, however, since ttio company generally felt ' that Hie relative chances of file adversaries ad-versaries could be belter Judged after a round or two. Broughton's retirement nnd Slack's rather obscure record left little room for Judgment. Captain Cleveland Cleve-land was on hand early, but ventured no money, though the duke. made him several sev-eral tempting offers. A few minutes before noon there was a commotion In the crowd and Hie combatants, com-batants, each followed by bis second, entered the amphitheater from the retiring retir-ing rooms. They mounted the ladder to the stage, and clambering over the rails, chose their corners. The pit greeted them with roars of applause, tho boxes and gallery with liandclapplng- and bravos as they stood bowing. Two finer gladiators never faced each other than these, one the man who had established Hie fundamental rules and principles of fistic combat, nnd the other the younger pupil of his school, who had come to dispute pre-eminence with the veteran. They were stripped to the waist, with light, belted breeches and pumps. They wore ho gloves or bandages ban-dages upon their hands, for "mufflers" were paraphernalia of the game considered consid-ered proper only to tyros and exquisites. Drought on. albeit showing some of the effects of soft living, hail lost none of his impresslveness or ense. His muscles. Io the discerning eye, might have seemed to run a trifle too smoothly and plumply. Ids shoulders to have lost some of their squareness, but ills massive arms held as great a promise of tremendous blows as ever; he held his head high and stepped firmly. To the. crowd thaf cheered hlni he. was tho peerless Jroughlon, the man of national renown, favorite of princes and fortune. Slack won his reception through his modest bearing, clean appearance and the reputation gained by his plucky showing against Taylor. His skin was pink nnd firm with youth ami health, the muscles rippling and cording with every muvemcnt. He turned away quickly io his corner. As the uproar died one of Ills enthusiastic supporters, a member of ills own former calling, shouted a final admonition: "lilt 'mi a slack 'mi. .lack .Slack!" This wtis meant as a subtly flattering allusion to tho butcher's smashing right swing, which had brought his name Into the vernacular of the time. Slack smiled nnd held up his hand in deprecation of tho laughter and cheers that followed the sally. Major Legrange and TUr. John Dudlev were selected respectively by nrough-ton nrough-ton and Slack from among the occupants occu-pants of the. boxes as their umpires. These gentlemen did not enter Iho ring, since under Broughton's rule? the stage was sacred io combatants and seconds during a battle. They . look up their position in tho same box and compared watches for the purpose of timing tho half minutes between rounds allowed to the boxers In which to take their positions posi-tions after a fall. The piellmlnnrles having been observed ob-served the men stepped forward and the amphitheater fell suddenly silent. They moved with dignity toward the center of the ring. On Iho flooring was chalked a square of a yard and each man, keeping keep-ing watchful eyes upon the other, placed one foot at his side of the square. "Bung His Peepers." The contrasting stvles of the two boxers box-ers were Immediately apparent as they shook hands and stretched out their arms In readiness for the set-to. Slack's position posi-tion was poorly calculated for shifty tactics, tac-tics, which It wis nevor Ills custom to rely upon. He stood upright, with the weight upon the broad of his feet, which were but' slightly separated. From this attitude he could step forward with his body behind his arm but could not yield readily. With Ills right fist he guarded the pit of his stomach his left was ad-iinced ad-iinced at the level of his mouth. liiuughton's pose was more easy and giacefnl, Jle stood on printry knees m'1 balanced for hlttlog ami filing aj. .i pi. ii lb tii.it ho had first Liu - duceil Into Hie downright hammering of the early game. His lists were held forward for-ward and before ids client, his head well up and bark. Ills superiority in weight, height and posture over his opponent was clear to every followr of the sport. Slack wailed for the veteran to opoij the contest, and 1'roiighton. slasning out suddenly, sent his right lomc on his opponent's chin. Instantly the slb m e with which Hie spectators hail awnlircl the first clash was broken by a wave of applause, and as Slack ripped in ihrcc Ineffective blows the shouting swelled in volume. Slack's unwillingness to dodg or shift, gave Uroughlon a chance to get in a battering jab to Hie fare nnd the butcher staggeicd back, his right cheek cut wide open Brougliton followed up his advantage and closed with Ills adversary. adver-sary. Kor a breath they struggled eh trying for a cross buttock, when I trough -ton forced the cither from his feet, landing land-ing uppermost in the fall. The seconds hurried from their corners, cor-ners, each assisting his man to rise, i-n-couraglng him. blowing- a spray of water into his eyes and cars and seating him on his knee. Hroughton was without a, scratch, but' Slack's face was iiw l'oth men were fresh yinl lively when the approached their marks for the second round. Jhoughton's fiiemls were jubilant, the Duke of Cumberland leading the cheers. The Dnko offered eight to one. but bettors bet-tors were scarce, waiting for further I proof of Slack's anility. Cleveland had not booked a single wager. On being set for Hn next round Slack became! .suddenly the aggressor. lie rushed In with one of his terrific right smashes, laklng the cheek that Brougliton Brougli-ton launched at him. The veteran stepped back easily, eate-hin? the "slack "mi" on his arm and counte-ring with his cheaded lunge under the left ear. Slack would not be denied and chiscd. but Hrouubion, slipping from his hold, hurled him to the floor with a clean, resounding blow on the chest The butcher picked himself up nimbly and retired to sit upon the knee of his second. There was no doubt le ft in the minds of the Hroughton contingent that the veteran was the better man and the match a final triumph for the master Slack's partisans shouted disapproval of his showing, and his vociferous fiilow-traelesinan fiilow-traelesinan was forward with advice. "Bung bis peepers! Bung ids peepers!" lie howled. Slack only smiled, and Captain Cleveland, Cleve-land, who kept a 'n refill watch upon him. could se that the man was scarcely scarce-ly brealhed for all the rough handling lie liud been through. Broughton. on the other hand, found his second's knee a. welcome resting place and was puffing with his exertions. At the lapse eif the half-miiinle the boxers came to the e enter fm the lliird round. Skek seejned less willing to take his chance of Broughton's formidable blows and closed almost immediately. The veteran thrust his thigh over for a cross buttock, but the butcher eluded it and they fell together. Slack again underneath. At the fourth round the butcher wasted even less time in bringing bring-ing about a fall. Cleveland, ever alert, began to understilnel. Slack's hard condition con-dition gave him little io fear from the struggle at close' quarters qpd the cra.sh to the stage. Brougliton. on the other baud, was safer when on Ills feet and at long range, plainly trying to avoid Hi" falls and to knock down his opponent while- keeping his own feet. The fifth and sixth rounds were fought almost without a hlow. Slack slipping -Into a hold and Brougliton unable un-able to avoid him. The sixth round ende-d with a desperate wrestle. In which the veteran landed heavily upon the butcher. ' Slack required his second's aid in rls- lng. i The Desperate Fight. I The men had been fighting Tor eight j minutes and bets were; now living fast i 'mitotic' Hie .spectators. The duke hal I placed several minor wagers, but was anxiously seeking some one who would , take him for a heavy sum. "Ten to oin on Brougliton 1" he- cried; "ten to one!" Captain Cleveland was nt his elbow. "How much will Your Highness venture?" ven-ture?" he asked. The. duke opened his tablets. "Ten thousand pounds," he said. "Done," answered Clovelnnd carelessly, careless-ly, and mnile his note of the transaction. transac-tion. Slack, sitting on his second's knee, heard the offer of the duke. whlch'Imme-cliately whlch'Imme-cliately became the ruling price among all the spectators. In nit and boxes. ' "Jemmy," said the butcher, turning to his second with a grin, "lake the ton guineas that Brougliton sent and back me with them at the odds." The second nodded, and. calling one of his friends ii ! t- the stag , gave hint the commission. commis-sion. Bioiigl.ton" broa l He u v,,is ilslng and f.iUi itvj wit'i ) p r l i "ii ii lng a tin ! nun t nii t" tin fm I i , nth round. Slack, though lie had suffered iu the lust fall, seemed to have no trouble trou-ble with his wind and advanced smiling. Acaiii iho slrong-lunceil partisan -In the lilt yciled his Injunction: v"Bung his peepers! Jhnig his peepers!" peep-ers!" Slack opened the round with a swift one-two at the head. The second blow ripped the veteran's ear, but before the butcher could recover Brougliton had smashed in Ids stomach blow, witli which Ii-- had ended many a eontesl. it cauclit Slack fairly In tin body and dropped him to his knees like a sae'k. Jle was all abroad for an Instant and leaned heavily upon his second in retiring to the corner, but a whiff of spray braced him. To those who knew Bronghlou it was a matter for wonder that the butcher recovered re-covered from thai deadly blow so cjnlck-ly. cjnlck-ly. They had looked to see him collapse, and when he spranc up ready for the next round I hey began to have more respect re-spect for the sturdy' youngster. At the eighth round. Slack returned ojico more to his earlier ladles of closing, clos-ing, lie got past Broughton's guard at the cost of a. stunning clip on the neck, and catching lilm (airly, whirled lilin with a inighly effort and seni him spinning spin-ning on Ills back. It was a clean, masterly master-ly fall, and the amphitheater thunelercd with tho spontaneous roar of approval. In which the supporters of Broughton Joiiieid as heartily as cithers. For the first time Hie younger man had clearly proved his right to be In the ring tvith tho master and had won the advantage of a round by skillful laeilcs. Brougliton Brougli-ton was In yomo distress as ho arose land soncht his corner. When they came forward for the next round. Brougliton made a delermlneil effort ef-fort to land his stomach punch again. Slack clubbed the blow aside with his left arm. and In tho opening leaped in. planting a terrific smash between the eyes. Brougliton was shaken and now it was he who closed and nought a, fall, lie was on top In tho crash. In the tenth and eleventh rounds It war. still the veteran who rused quickly for a fall and his friends began to won-1 won-1 drr Not so. Cleveland, who had noted I the sledcehnriimer blow between the eyes and the anxiety with which the veterans vet-erans second treated him. At the twelfth round Brougliton walked forward unsle-adilv, and instead of alining a blow at his lrinn or trying a clNan grip he reached out his arms as if N feeling for bis adversary. The butcher began to rain ! face ami body blows at will and Brough-I Brough-I ton gave back, apparently confused. A murmur of uneasiness run among Hie spectators. The Duke of .'umberlanel. following his favorite's niov?s In alarm, shouted" through the quiet that had fallen: "What's the matter with you. Broughton? Brough-ton? You can't light, you're beat!" The veteran was milling desperately, but at random, while tho butcher landed almost at will. At the renin rk of the duke. Broughton answered: " can't see j my man. Your Highness. I'm blind, not licit. Only let me see niy man and he shall not gain the day yet." And through .the excitement that greeted his words cnino the triumphant yell of Slack's confrere, "Ho's bunged his peepers." With a desperate lunge Bronctiteui came to close quarters with the butcher nnd brought him lo the door, ending u round thai bad ull but defeated him. End ol' the Mill. The effect of Slack's terrible blow t.is apparent as the veteran was aided to his corner Ills flesh, softened Hi rough ea ways of life, had puffed and swollen and his eyes were completely closed. The second washed and sprayed his face repeatedly, re-peatedly, but to no purpose. Tho champion cham-pion was blinded. The butcher had indeed in-deed "bunged his peepers1." But Hie master was mil ready to admit ad-mit himself beatin. At the calling of I line he got up from his second's knee, refusing guidance, and walked forward Jt. was plain to all. however, that be could not find the mark alone, and Ins secoml bad to spring to his as.slnl.in. and lead blin to his place. There tb mighty champion or a hundred battles raised his head proudly. Jifleel the hug. Ilsl.s that had brought so many stout opponents low and struck out itndauii; ed, still hopeful (.r wresting the victoiy Ilia I had been his so often. Slack was merciful and contented himself him-self with we'aring out the remaining strength of his adversary. He easllv avoided Broughton's wild rushes anil none of the swinging bhjws reached him He closfd in at Hie first opportunity and bore Broughton heavily to the Hour. It was clear that the battle could not last much longer. Once more lb.; gallani Brougliton Insisted upon groping ie Hie center of tlv ring and uiiio moio Ik-summoned Ik-summoned his waning strength for ibe struggle. He panted for breath. His fa-e and body were bathed from a dozen euts and eo creel with painful bruise-;-, liii lie sprang in with lifted fists, foi -getful of the Icrrille: punishment, urged by his Indomitable spirit. For an instant Slack saw hlmseli threatened. Hej drew his right ham! to his breast and laslnel out with the "chopper." a side swing from the elbow. The back of his list e-auglit the champion under the jaw. lifting lift-ing hlni from his feet and hurling him h"nillnng. Broughteiu's i-.ocoinl tried to lift him. but the beatmi champion sank back with a groan. Tho umpires solemnly solemn-ly counted the lift I C minute's, and at tins expiration of the time. Bioughlon still being unable lei toe the line, declared Jack Slack the irtor. Ju Hie cheers (hat greeted the new master of tlir- Nnn,, J erect W0 Jld 52il Duke of cVinil In, Jci,ln- thfongh hii ,nr "-Wl Captain Ck',. n0R' . 1W X from po ley Thr. n,Vi !K 'H'lln.ulon,UV-;oe in the win Id. a n,JJl a battle, before1 " VL'r "If Yon will pardon J boss." m d ric v laii ? n" S.,W'':,0V',T!;5''' ffA'i .condemn bun for hii ffi! Slack walt-d until ul, to, stand ami lb n, riionk' wit , a. fewimudy wo'rTj had been akep ,i m ii. A sum Ml to U.V wl,u crhCIi carried awav with m. ? guineas that he given hi,,, by Brought mem against o ading |