The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 21: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE KING OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN? 18 “Time!” said Marsham, who acted as judge and referee, _The combatants being both upon their mettle, commenced the third round with great spirit. Egerton, with much dexterity, put in two tremendous hits on Baynes’s left cheek. In return Baynes, after several abor- tive attempts, managed to give his ad- versary a left-hander on the throat. For a moment Frank was almost stunned, but rapidly recovering, he closed in and both fell—Egerton being underneath this time. Crawley’s party cheered loudly. *‘ Shall I have the pleasure of book- ing you again at the ole figure ?” asked Crawley. “ Certainly,” replied Pembridge. “I don’t mind taking your offer,” said Marsham; “for I certainly think—” ‘Pardon me—we can’t allow the re- feree to make a bet, and his opinion should be reserved till asked for on either side.” — | Round the fourth was extremely short. Baynes managed to deliver another blow on the throat, knocking Egerton fairly off his legs. Baynes’s few friends cheered loudly, and began to look upon the battle as won, for it seemed as though Egerton would not be able to renew the combat. ‘Are yousufficiently thrashed ?” asked Crawley. ‘¢ By no means!” responded the Earl of Pembridge. ‘“‘ Here, one of you fellows cut to the ‘ Six Bells,’ and bring up a bottle of brandy.” The *“ Six Bells,” an old-fashioned hostelry, happened to be close by, and in a few moments, under the influence | of the spirit, Frank Egerton began to rally. When Marsham again called time he was able to appear at the scratch with a smile upon his face. The fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds were quickly fought, with no great re- sults on either side. It was evident to all that two or three more would decide the conflict one way or the other, for the combatants not being professionally ‘and seemed hardly conscious. trained pugilists, were beginniag to show scantiness of breath, and other symptoms of distress. Both took more brandy, then rose once more from their second’s knees. As Egerton advanced towards his opponent it was evident that his throat had been severely visited by the swing- ing hits administered in the previous rounds, | However he went forward steadily, evincing every disposition to fight it out. He brought his left hand to bear with stinging severity on Baynes’s mouth, bringing more blood. That young gentleman feinted, and stepped back, but was rapidly followed by Egerton, who dashed in, regardless of consequences, delivering both right and left upon the right eye and again upon the mouth. _ Baynes fell heavily, and was imme- diately picked up by his second. Crawley wiped the blood from his face and mouth, and once more applied the brandy flask to his lips. Baynes, in a very listless manner, swallowed the spirit, which had not the usual effect upon him, and failed. to revive him. He sat upon his second’s knee, star- ing vacantly around. Egerton, though flushed and slightly fatigued, was able to walk round the ring, to keep his blood in circulation. “ Had you not better give it up, and confess yourself beaten ?” Pembridge again asked. “‘ By no means,” was the reply. “ We are quite able to beat you yet.” “That remains to be seen.” “ Less chatter there,” interposed Marsham. “Time’s up; bring your men to the scratch.” Frank Egerton as he commenced the ninth round saw that the victory was his own. Baynes walked with a tottering step, How- ever, he made a show of putting up his fists, and was immediately knocked down by Egerton. Go NOC EO mn