Once，theslavesofHell'sBottomprotestedtoVanderwater。ItwasthetimeoftheyearwhenhespentseveralmonthsinKingsbury。Oneoftheslavescouldwrite；itchancedthathismothercouldwrite，andshehadsecretlytaughthimashermotherhadsecretlytaughther。Sothisslavewrotearoundrobin，whereinwascontainedtheirgrievances，andalltheslavessignedbymark。And，withproperstampsupontheenvelope，theroundrobinwasmailedtoRogerVanderwater。AndRogerVanderwaterdidnothing，savetoturntheroundrobinovertothetwooverseers。ClancyandMunsterwereangered。Theyturnedtheguardslooseatnightontheslavepen。Theguardswerearmedwithpickhandles。ItissaidthatnextdayonlyhalfoftheslaveswereabletoworkinHell'sBottom。Theywerewellbeaten。Theslavewhocouldwritewassobadlybeatenthathelivedonlythreemonths。Butbeforehedied，hewroteoncemore，towhatpurposeyoushallhear。
Fourorfiveweeksafterward，TomDixon，aslave，hadhisarmtornoffbyabeltinHell'sBottom。Hisfellow-workmen，asusual，madeagranttohimfromthefund，andClancyandMunster，asusual，refusedtopayitoverfromthefund。Theslavewhocouldwrite，andwhoeventhenwasdying，wroteanewarecitaloftheirgrievances。AndthisdocumentwasthrustintothehandofthearmthathadbeentornfromTomDixon'sbody。
NowitchancedthatRogerVanderwaterwaslyingillinhispalaceattheotherendofKingsbury——notthedireillnessthatstrikesdownyouandme，brothers；justabitofbiliousness，mayhap，ornomorethanabadheadachebecausehehadeatentooheartilyordrunktoodeeply。Butitwasenoughforhim，beingtenderandsoftfromcarefulrearing。Suchmen，packedincottonwoolalltheirlives，areexceedingtenderandsoft。Believeme，brothers，RogerVanderwaterfeltasbadlywithhisachinghead，orTHOUGHT
hefeltasbadly，asTomDixonreallyfeltwithhisarmtornoutbytheroots。
IthappenedthatRogerVanderwaterwasfondofscientificfarming，andthatonhisfarm，threemilesoutsideofKingsbury，hehadmanagedtogrowanewkindofstrawberry。Hewasveryproudofthatnewstrawberryofhis，andhewouldhavebeenouttoseeandpickthefirstripeones，haditnotbeenforhisillness。Becauseofhisillnesshehadorderedtheoldfarmslavetobringinpersonallythefirstboxoftheberries。Allthiswaslearnedfromthegossipofapalacescullion，whoslepteachnightintheslavepen。Theoverseeroftheplantationshouldhavebroughtintheberries，buthewasonhisbackwithabrokenlegfromtryingtobreakacolt。Thescullionbroughtthewordinthenight，anditwasknownthatnextdaytheberrieswouldcomein。AndthemenintheslavepenofHell'sBottom，beingmenandnotcowards，heldacouncil。
Theslavewhocouldwrite，andwhowassickanddyingfromthepick-handlebeating，saidhewouldcarryTomDixon'sarm；also，hesaidhemustdieanyway，andthatitmatterednothingifhediedalittlesooner。Sofiveslavesstolefromtheslavepenthatnightaftertheguardshadmadetheirlastrounds。Oneoftheslaveswasthemanwhocouldwrite。Theylayinthebrushbytheroadsideuntillateinthemorning，whentheoldfarmslavecamedrivingtotownwiththepreciousfruitforthemaster。Whatofthefarmslavebeingoldandrheumatic，andoftheslavewhocouldwritebeingstiffandinjuredfromhisbeating，theymovedtheirbodiesaboutwhentheywalked，verymuchinthesamefashion。Theslavewhocouldwriteputontheother'sclothes，pulledthebroad-brimmedhatoverhiseyes，climbedupontheseatofthewagon，anddroveontotown。Theoldfarmslavewaskepttiedalldayinthebushesuntilevening，whentheothersloosedhimandwentbacktotheslavepentotaketheirpunishmentforhavingbrokenbounds。
Inthemeantime，RogerVanderwaterlaywaitingfortheberriesinhiswonderfulbedroom——suchwondersandsuchcomfortsweretherethattheywouldhaveblindedtheeyesofyouandmewhohaveneverseensuchthings。
TheslavewhocouldwritesaidafterwardthatitwaslikeaglimpseofParadise!Andwhynot？Thelabourandthelivesoftenthousandslaveshadgonetothemakingofthatbedchamber，whiletheythemselvessleptinvilelairslikewildbeasts。Theslavewhocouldwritebroughtintheberriesonasilvertrayorplatter——yousee，RogerVanderwaterwantedtospeakwithhiminpersonabouttheberries。
TheslavewhocouldwritetotteredhisdyingbodyacrossthewonderfulroomandkneltbythecouchofVanderwater，holdingoutbeforehimthetray。
Largegreenleavescoveredthetopofthetray，andthesethebody-servantalongsidewhiskedawaysothatVanderwatercouldsee。AndRogerVanderwater，proppeduponhiselbow，saw。Hesawthefresh，wonderfulfruitlyingtherelikepreciousjewels，andinthemidstofitthearmofTomDixonasithadbeentornfromhisbody，wellwashed，ofcourse，mybrothers，andverywhiteagainsttheblood-redfruit。Andalsohesaw，clutchedinthestiff，deadfingers，thepetitionofhisslaveswhotoiledinHell'sBottom。
"Takeandread，"saidtheslavewhocouldwrite。Andevenasthemastertookthepetition，thebody-servant，whotillthenhadbeenmotionlesswithsurprise，struckwithhisfistthekneelingslaveuponthemouth。Theslavewasdyinganyway，andwasveryweak，anddidnotmind。Hemadenosound，and，havingfallenoveronhisside，helaytherequietly，bleedingfromtheblowonthemouth。Thephysician，whohadrunforthepalaceguards，camebackwiththem，andtheslavewasdraggeduprightuponhisfeet。Butastheydraggedhimup，hishandclutchedTomDixon'sarmfromwhereithadfallenonthefloor。
"Heshallbeflungalivetothehounds!"thebody-servantwascryingingreatwrath。"Heshallbeflungalivetothehounds!"
ButRogerVanderwater，forgettinghisheadache，stillleaningonhiselbow，commandedsilence，andwentonreadingthepetition。Andwhileheread，therewassilence，allstandingupright，thewrathfulbody-servant，thephysician，thepalaceguards，andintheirmidsttheslave，bleedingatthemouthandstillholdingTomDixon'sarm。AndwhenRogerVanderwaterhaddone，heturnedupontheslave，saying——
"Ifinthispapertherebeonelie，youshallbesorrythatyouwereeverborn。"
Andtheslavesaid，"IhavebeensorryallmylifethatIwasborn。"
RogerVanderwaterlookedathimclosely，andtheslavesaid——
"Youhavedoneyourworsttome。Iamdyingnow。InaweekIshallbedead，soitdoesnotmatterifyoukillmenow。"
"Whatdoyouwiththat？"themasterasked，pointingtothearm；andtheslavemadeanswer——
"Itakeitbacktothepentogiveitburial。TomDixonwasmyfriend。Weworkedbesideeachotheratourlooms。"
Thereislittlemoretomytale，brothers。Theslaveandthearmweresentbackinacarttothepen。Norwereanyoftheslavespunishedforwhattheyhaddone。Indeed，RogerVanderwatermadeinvestigationandpunishedthetwooverseers，JosephClancyandAdolphMunster。Theirfreeholdsweretakenfromthem。Theywerebranded，eachupontheforehead，theirrighthandswerecutoff，andtheywereturnedlooseuponthehighwaytowanderandbeguntiltheydied。Andthefundwasmanagedrightfullythereafterforatime——foratimeonly，mybrothers；forafterRogerVanderwatercamehisson，Albert，whowasacruelmasterandhalfmad。
Brothers，thatslavewhocarriedthearmintothepresenceofthemasterwasmyfather。Hewasabraveman。Andevenashismothersecretlytaughthimtoread，sodidheteachme。Becausehediedshortlyafterfromthepick-handlebeating，RogerVanderwatertookmeoutoftheslavepenandtriedtomakevariousbetterthingsoutofme。ImighthavebecomeanoverseerinHell'sBottom，butIchosetobecomeastory-teller，wanderingoverthelandandgettingclosetomybrothers，theslaves，everywhere。
AndItellyoustorieslikethis，secretly，knowingthatyouwillnotbetrayme；forifyoudid，youknowaswellasIthatmytonguewillbetornoutandthatIshalltellstoriesnomore。Andmymessageis，brothers，thatthereisagoodtimecoming，whenallwillbewellintheworldandtherewillbeneithermastersnorslaves。Butfirstyoumustprepareforthatgoodtimebylearningtoread。Thereispowerintheprintedword。AndhereamItoteachyoutoread，andaswellthereareotherstoseethatyougetthebookswhenIamgonealonguponmyway——thehistorybookswhereinyouwilllearnaboutyourmasters，andlearntobecomestrongevenasthey。
[EDITOR'SNOTE——From"HistoricalFragmentsandSketches，"firstpublishedinfiftyvolumesin4427，andnow，aftertwohundredyears，becauseofitsaccuracyandvalue，editedandrepublishedbytheNationalCommitteeonHistoricalResearch。]
APIECEOFSTEAK
WiththelastmorselofbreadTomKingwipedhisplatecleanofthelastparticleofflourgravyandchewedtheresultingmouthfulinaslowandmeditativeway。Whenhearosefromthetable，hewasoppressedbythefeelingthathewasdistinctlyhungry。Yethealonehadeaten。Thetwochildrenintheotherroomhadbeensentearlytobedinorderthatinsleeptheymightforgettheyhadgonesupperless。Hiswifehadtouchednothing，andhadsatsilentlyandwatchedhimwithsolicitouseyes。Shewasathin，wornwomanoftheworking-class，thoughsignsofanearlierprettinesswerenotwantinginherface。TheflourforthegravyshehadborrowedfromtheneighbouracrossthehallThelasttwoha'pennieshadgonetobuythebread。
Hesatdownbythewindowonaricketychairthatprotestedunderhisweight，andquitemechanicallyheputhispipeinhismouthanddippedintothesidepocketofhiscoat。Theabsenceofanytobaccomadehimawareofhisaction，and，withascowlforhisforgetfulness，heputthepipeaway。
Hismovementswereslow，almosthulking，asthoughhewereburdenedbytheheavyweightofhismuscles。Hewasasolid-bodied，stolid-lookingman，andhisappearancedidnotsufferfrombeingoverprepossessing。Hisroughclotheswereoldandslouchy。Theuppersofhisshoesweretooweaktocarrytheheavyre-solingthatwasitselfofnorecentdate。Andhiscottonshirt，acheap，twoshillingaffair，showedafrayedcollarandineradicablepaintstains。
ButitwasTomKing'sfacethatadvertisedhimunmistakablyforwhathewas。Itwasthefaceofatypicalprize-fighter；ofonewhohadputinlongyearsofserviceinthesquaredringand，bythatmeans，developedandemphasizedallthemarksofthefightingbeast。Itwasdistinctlyaloweringcountenance，and，thatnofeatureofitmightescapenotice，itwasclean-shaven。Thelipswereshapelessandconstitutedamouthharshtoexcess，thatwaslikeagashinhisface。Thejawwasaggressive，brutal，heavy。Theeyes，slowofmovementandheavy-lidded，werealmostexpressionlessundertheshaggy，indrawnbrows。Sheeranimalthathewas，theeyeswerethemostanimal-likefeatureabouthim。Theyweresleepy，lion-like——theeyesofafightinganimal。Theforeheadslantedquicklybacktothehair，which，clippedclose，showedeverybumpofavillainous-
lookinghead。Anosetwicebrokenandmouldedvariouslybycountlessblows，andacauliflowerear，permanentlyswollenanddistortedtotwiceitssize，completedhisadornment，whilethebeard，fresh-shavenasitwas，sproutedintheskinandgavethefaceablue-blackstain。
Altogether，itwasthefaceofamantobeafraidofinadarkalleyorlonelyplace。AndyetTomKingwasnotacriminal，norhadheeverdoneanythingcriminal。Outsideofbrawls，commontohiswalkinlife，hehadharmednoone。Norhadheeverbeenknowntopickaquarrel。Hewasaprofessional，andallthefightingbrutishnessofhimwasreservedforhisprofessionalappearances。Outsidetheringhewasslow-going，easy-
natured，and，inhisyoungerdays，whenmoneywasflush，tooopen-handedforhisowngood。Heborenogrudgesandhadfewenemies。Fightingwasabusinesswithhim。Intheringhestrucktohurt，strucktomaim，strucktodestroy；buttherewasnoanimusinit。Itwasaplainbusinessproposition。Audiencesassembledandpaidforthespectacleofmenknockingeachotherout。Thewinnertookthebigendofthepurse。WhenTomKingfacedtheWoolloomoollooGouger，twentyyearsbefore，heknewthattheGouger'sjawwasonlyfourmonthshealedafterhavingbeenbrokeninaNewcastlebout。Andhehadplayedforthatjawandbrokenitagainintheninthround，notbecauseheboretheGougeranyill-will，butbecausethatwasthesurestwaytoputtheGougeroutandwinthebigendofthepurse。
NorhadtheGougerbornehimanyill-willforit。Itwasthegame，andbothknewthegameandplayedit。
TomKinghadneverbeenatalker，andhesatbythewindow，moroselysilent，staringathishands。Theveinsstoodoutonthebacksofthehands，largeandswollen；andtheknuckles，smashedandbatteredandmalformed，testifiedtotheusetowhichtheyhadbeenput。Hehadneverheardthataman'slifewasthelifeofhisarteries，butwellheknewthemeaningofthosebigupstandingveins。Hishearthadpumpedtoomuchbloodthroughthemattoppressure。Theynolongerdidthework。Hehadstretchedtheelasticityoutofthem，andwiththeirdistensionhadpassedhisendurance。Hetiredeasilynow。Nolongercouldhedoafasttwentyrounds，hammerandtongs，fight，fight，fight，fromgongtogong，withfiercerallyontopoffiercerally，beatentotheropesandinturnbeatinghisopponenttotheropes，andrallyingfiercestandfastestofallinthatlast，twentiethround，withthehouseonitsfeetandyelling，himselfrushing，striking，ducking，rainingshowersofblowsuponshowersofblowsandreceivingshowersofblowsinreturn，andallthetimetheheartfaithfullypumpingthesurgingbloodthroughtheadequateveins。Theveins，swollenatthetime，hadalwaysshrunkdownagain，thougheachtime，imperceptiblyatfirst，notquite——remainingjustatriflelargerthanbefore。Hestaredatthemandathisbatteredknuckles，and，forthemoment，caughtavisionoftheyouthfulexcellenceofthosehandsbeforethefirstknucklehadbeensmashedontheheadofBennyJones，otherwiseknownastheWelshTerror。
Theimpressionofhishungercamebackonhim。
"Blimey，butcouldn'tIgoapieceofsteak!"hemutteredaloud，clenchinghishugefistsandspittingoutasmotheredoath。
"ItriedbothBurke'san'Sawley's，"hiswifesaidhalfapologetically。
"An'theywouldn't？"hedemanded。
"Notaha'penny。Burkesaid——"Shefaltered。
"G'wan!Wot'dhesay？"
"Ashow'ewasthinkin'Sandeluddoyeto-night，an'ashowyerscorewascomfortablebigasitwas。"
TomKinggrunted，butdidnotreply。Hewasbusythinkingofthebullterrierhehadkeptinhisyoungerdaystowhichhehadfedsteakswithoutend。Burkewouldhavegivenhimcreditforathousandsteaks——then。Buttimeshadchanged。TomKingwasgettingold；andoldmen，fightingbeforesecond-rateclubs，couldn'texpecttorunbillsofanysizewiththetradesmen。
Hehadgotupinthemorningwithalongingforapieceofsteak，andthelonginghadnotabated。Hehadnothadafairtrainingforthisfight。ItwasadroughtyearinAustralia，timeswerehard，andeventhemostirregularworkwasdifficulttofind。Hehadhadnosparringpartner，andhisfoodhadnotbeenofthebestnoralwayssufficient。Hehaddoneafewdays'navvyworkwhenhecouldgetit，andhehadrunaroundtheDomainintheearlymorningstogethislegsinshape。Butitwashard，trainingwithoutapartnerandwithawifeandtwokiddiesthatmustbefed。CreditwiththetradesmenhadundergoneveryslightexpansionwhenhewasmatchedwithSandel。ThesecretaryoftheGayetyClubhadadvancedhimthreepounds——theloser'sendofthepurse——andbeyondthathadrefusedtogo。
Nowandagainhehadmanagedtoborrowafewshillingsfromoldpals，whowouldhavelentmoreonlythatitwasadroughtyearandtheywerehardputthemselves。No——andtherewasnouseindisguisingthefact——histraininghadnotbeensatisfactory。Heshouldhavehadbetterfoodandnoworries。
Besides，whenamanisforty，itishardertogetintoconditionthanwhenheistwenty。
"Whattimeisit，Lizzie？"heasked。
Hiswifewentacrossthehalltoinquire，andcameback。
"Quarterbeforeeight。"
"They'llbestartin'thefirstboutinafewminutes，"hesaid。"Onlyatry-out。Thenthere'safour-roundspar'tweenDealerWellsan'Gridley，an'aten-roundgo'tweenStarlightan'somesailorbloke。Idon'tcomeonforoveranhour。"
Attheendofanothersilenttenminutes，herosetohisfeet。
"Truthis，Lizzie，Iain'thadpropertrainin'。"
Hereachedforhishatandstartedforthedoor。Hedidnotoffertokissher——heneverdidongoingout——butonthisnightshedaredtokisshim，throwingherarmsaroundhimandcompellinghimtobenddowntoherface。
Shelookedquitesmallagainstthemassivebulkoftheman。
"Goodluck，Tom，"shesaid。"Yougotterdo'im。"
"Ay，Igotterdo'im，"herepeated。"That'sallthereistoit。Ijus'
gotterdo'im。"
Helaughedwithanattemptatheartiness，whileshepressedmorecloselyagainsthim。Acrosshershouldershelookedaroundthebareroom。Itwasallhehadintheworld，withtherentoverdue，andherandthekiddies。
Andhewasleavingittogooutintothenighttogetmeatforhismateandcubs——notlikeamodernworking-mangoingtohismachinegrind，butintheold，primitive，royal，animalway，byfightingforit。
"Igotterdo'im，"herepeated，thistimeahintofdesperationinhisvoice。"Ifit'sawin，it'sthirtyquid——an'Icanpayallthat'sowin'，withalumpo'moneyleftover。Ifit'salose，Igetnaught——notevenapennyformetoridehomeonthetram。Thesecretary'sgiveallthat'scomin'fromaloser'send。Good-bye，oldwoman。I'llcomestraighthomeifit'sawin。"
"An'I'llbewaitin'up，"shecalledtohimalongthehall。
ItwasfulltwomilestotheGayety，andashewalkedalongherememberedhowinhispalmydays——hehadoncebeentheheavyweightchampionofNewSouthWales——hewouldhaveriddeninacabtothefight，andhow，mostlikely，someheavybackerwouldhavepaidforthecabandriddenwithhim。
TherewereTommyBurnsandthatYankeenigger，JackJohnson——theyrodeaboutinmotor-cars。Andhewalked!And，asanymanknew，ahardtwomileswasnotthebestpreliminarytoafight。Hewasanoldun，andtheworlddidnotwagwellwitholduns。Hewasgoodfornothingnowexceptnavvywork，andhisbrokennoseandswollenearwereagainsthimeveninthat。Hefoundhimselfwishingthathehadlearnedatrade。Itwouldhavebeenbetterinthelongrun。Butnoonehadtoldhim，andheknew，deepdowninhisheart，thathewouldnothavelistenediftheyhad。Ithadbeensoeasy。Bigmoney——sharp，gloriousfights——periodsofrestandloafinginbetween——afollowingofeagerflatterers，theslapsontheback，theshakesofthehand，thetoffsgladtobuyhimadrinkfortheprivilegeoffiveminutes'talk——andthegloryofit，theyellinghouses，thewhirlwindfinish，thereferee's"Kingwins!"andhisnameinthesportingcolumnsnextday。
Thosehadbeentimes!Butherealizednow，inhisslow，ruminatingway，thatitwastheoldunshehadbeenputtingaway。HewasYouth，rising；
andtheywereAge，sinking。Nowonderithadbeeneasy——theywiththeirswollenveinsandbatteredknucklesandwearyinthebonesofthemfromthelongbattlestheyhadalreadyfought。HerememberedthetimeheputoutoldStowsherBill，atRush-CuttersBay，intheeighteenthround，andhowoldBillhadcriedafterwardinthedressing-roomlikeababy。PerhapsoldBill'srenthadbeenoverdue。Perhapshe'dhadathomeamissusan'acoupleofkiddies。AndperhapsBill，thatverydayofthefight，hadhadahungeringforapieceofsteak。Billhadfoughtgameandtakenincrediblepunishment。Hecouldseenow，afterhehadgonethroughthemillhimself，thatStowsherBillhadfoughtforabiggerstake，thatnighttwentyyearsago，thanhadyoungTomKing，whohadfoughtforgloryandeasymoney。NowonderStowsherBillhadcriedafterwardinthedressing-room。
Well，amanhadonlysomanyfightsinhim，tobeginwith。Itwastheironlawofthegame。Onemanmighthaveahundredhardfightsinhim，anothermanonlytwenty；each，accordingtothemakeofhimandthequalityofhisfibre，hadadefinitenumber，and，whenhehadfoughtthem，hewasdone。
Yes，hehadhadmorefightsinhimthanmostofthem，andhehadhadfarmorethanhisshareofthehard，gruellingfights——thekindthatworkedtheheartandlungstobursting，thattooktheelasticoutofthearteriesandmadehardknotsofmuscleoutofYouth'ssleeksuppleness，thatworeoutnerveandstaminaandmadebrainandboneswearyfromexcessofeffortandenduranceoverwrought。Yes，hehaddonebetterthanallofthem。Therewerenoneofhisoldfightingpartnersleft。Hewasthelastoftheoldguard。Hehadseenthemallfinished，andhehadhadahandinfinishingsomeofthem。
Theyhadtriedhimoutagainsttheolduns，andoneafteranotherhehadputthemaway——laughingwhen，likeoldStowsherBill，theycriedinthedressing-room。Andnowhewasanoldun，andtheytriedouttheyoungstersonhim。Therewasthatbloke，Sandel。HehadcomeoverfromNewZealandwitharecordbehindhim。ButnobodyinAustraliaknewanythingabouthim，sotheyputhimupagainstoldTomKing。IfSandelmadeashowing，hewouldbegivenbettermentofight，withbiggerpursestowin；soitwastobedependeduponthathewouldputupafiercebattle。Hehadeverythingtowinbyit——moneyandgloryandcareer；andTomKingwasthegrizzledoldchopping-blockthatguardedthehighwaytofameandfortune。Andhehadnothingtowinexceptthirtyquid，topaytothelandlordandthetradesmen。And，asTomKingthusruminated，therecametohisstolidvisiontheformofYouth，gloriousYouth，risingexultantandinvincible，suppleofmuscleandsilkenofskin，withheartandlungsthathadneverbeentiredandtornandthatlaughedatlimitationofeffort。Yes，YouthwastheNemesis。Itdestroyedtheoldunsandreckednotthat，insodoing，itdestroyeditself。Itenlargeditsarteriesandsmasheditsknuckles，andwasinturndestroyedbyYouth。ForYouthwaseveryouthful。
ItwasonlyAgethatgrewold。
AtCastlereaghStreetheturnedtotheleft，andthreeblocksalongcametotheGayety。Acrowdofyounglarrikinshangingoutsidethedoormaderespectfulwayforhim，andheheardonesaytoanother:"That's'im!
That'sTomKing!"
Inside，onthewaytohisdressing-room，heencounteredthesecretary，akeen-eyed，shrewd-facedyoungman，whoshookhishand。
"Howareyoufeelin'，Tom？"heasked。
"Fitasafiddle，"Kinganswered，thoughheknewthathelied，andthatifhehadaquid，hewouldgiveitrightthereforagoodpieceofsteak。
Whenheemergedfromthedressing-room，hissecondsbehindhim，andcamedowntheaisletothesquaredringinthecentreofthehall，aburstofgreetingandapplausewentupfromthewaitingcrowd。Heacknowledgedsalutationsrightandleft，thoughfewofthefacesdidheknow。Mostofthemwerethefacesofkiddiesunbornwhenhewaswinninghisfirstlaurelsinthesquaredring。Heleapedlightlytotheraisedplatformandduckedthroughtheropestohiscorner，wherehesatdownonafoldingstool。
JackBall，thereferee，cameoverandshookhishand。Ballwasabroken-
downpugilistwhoforovertenyearshadnotenteredtheringasaprincipal。Kingwasgladthathehadhimforreferee。Theywerebotholduns。IfheshouldroughitwithSandelabitbeyondtherules，heknewBallcouldbedependedupontopassitby。
Aspiringyoungheavyweights，oneafteranother，wereclimbingintotheringandbeingpresentedtotheaudiencebythereferee。Also，heissuedtheirchallengesforthem。
"YoungPronto，"Billannounced，"fromNorthSydney，challengesthewinnerforfiftypoundssidebet。"
Theaudienceapplauded，andapplaudedagainasSandelhimselfsprangthroughtheropesandsatdowninhiscorner。TomKinglookedacrosstheringathimcuriously，forinafewminutestheywouldbelockedtogetherinmercilesscombat，eachtryingwithalltheforceofhimtoknocktheotherintounconsciousness。Butlittlecouldhesee，forSandel，likehimself，hadtrousersandsweateronoverhisringcostume。Hisfacewasstronglyhandsome，crownedwithacurlymopofyellowhair，whilehisthick，muscularneckhintedatbodilymagnificence。
YoungProntowenttoonecornerandthentheother，shakinghandswiththeprincipalsanddroppingdownoutofthering。Thechallengeswenton。
EverYouthclimbedthroughtheropes——Youthunknown，butinsatiable——cryingouttomankindthatwithstrengthandskillitwouldmatchissueswiththewinner。Afewyearsbefore，inhisownheydayofinvincibleness，TomKingwouldhavebeenamusedandboredbythesepreliminaries。Butnowhesatfascinated，unabletoshakethevisionofYouthfromhiseyes。Alwaysweretheseyoungstersrisingupintheboxinggame，springingthroughtheropesandshoutingtheirdefiance；andalwaysweretheoldunsgoingdownbeforethem。Theyclimbedtosuccessoverthebodiesoftheolduns。Andevertheycame，moreandmoreyoungsters——Youthunquenchableandirresistible——
andevertheyputtheoldunsaway，themselvesbecomingoldunsandtravellingthesamedownwardpath，whilebehindthem，everpressingonthem，wasYoutheternal——thenewbabies，grownlustyanddraggingtheireldersdown，withbehindthemmorebabiestotheendoftime——Youththatmusthaveitswillandthatwillneverdie。
KingglancedovertothepressboxandnoddedtoMorgan，oftheSportsman，andCorbett，oftheReferee。Thenheheldouthishands，whileSidSullivanandCharleyBates，hisseconds，slippedonhisglovesandlacedthemtight，closelywatchedbyoneofSandel'sseconds，whofirstexaminedcriticallythetapesonKing'sknuckles。AsecondofhisownwasinSandel'scorner，performingalikeoffice。Sandel'strouserswerepulledoff，and，ashestoodup，hissweaterwasskinnedoffoverhishead。AndTomKing，looking，sawYouthincarnate，deep-chested，heavy-thewed，withmusclesthatslippedandslidlikelivethingsunderthewhitesatinskin。
Thewholebodywasa-crawlwithlife，andTomKingknewthatitwasalifethathadneveroozeditsfreshnessoutthroughtheachingporesduringthelongfightswhereinYouthpaiditstollanddepartednotquitesoyoungaswhenitentered。
Thetwomenadvancedtomeeteachother，and，asthegongsoundedandthesecondsclatteredoutoftheringwiththefoldingstools，theyshookhandsandinstantlytooktheirfightingattitudes。Andinstantly，likeamechanismofsteelandspringsbalancedonahairtrigger，Sandelwasinandoutandinagain，landingalefttotheeyes，arighttotheribs，duckingacounter，dancinglightlyawayanddancingmenacinglybackagain。
Hewasswiftandclever。Itwasadazzlingexhibition。Thehouseyelleditsapprobation。ButKingwasnotdazzled。Hehadfoughttoomanyfightsandtoomanyyoungsters。Heknewtheblowsforwhattheywere——tooquickandtoodefttobedangerous。EvidentlySandelwasgoingtorushthingsfromthestart。Itwastobeexpected。ItwasthewayofYouth，expendingitssplendourandexcellenceinwildinsurgenceandfuriousonslaught，overwhelmingoppositionwithitsownunlimitedgloryofstrengthanddesire。
Sandelwasinandout，here，there，andeverywhere，light-footedandeager-
hearted，alivingwonderofwhitefleshandstingingmusclethatwoveitselfintoadazzlingfabricofattack，slippingandleapinglikeaflyingshuttlefromactiontoactionthroughathousandactions，allofthemcentreduponthedestructionofTomKing，whostoodbetweenhimandfortune。AndTomKingpatientlyendured。Heknewhisbusiness，andheknewYouthnowthatYouthwasnolongerhis。Therewasnothingtodotilltheotherlostsomeofhissteam，washisthought，andhegrinnedtohimselfashedeliberatelyduckedsoastoreceiveaheavyblowonthetopofhishead。Itwasawickedthingtodo，yeteminentlyfairaccordingtotherulesoftheboxinggame。Amanwassupposedtotakecareofhisownknuckles，and，ifheinsistedonhittinganopponentonthetopofthehead，hedidsoathisownperil。Kingcouldhaveduckedlowerandlettheblowwhizharmlesslypast，butherememberedhisownearlyfightsandhowhesmashedhisfirstknuckleontheheadoftheWelshTerror。Hewasbutplayingthegame。ThatduckhadaccountedforoneofSandel'sknuckles。
NotthatSandelwouldminditnow。Hewouldgoon，superblyregardless，hittingashardaseverthroughoutthefight。Butlateron，whenthelongringbattleshadbeguntotell，hewouldregretthatknuckleandlookbackandrememberhowhesmasheditonTomKing'shead。
ThefirstroundwasallSandel's，andhehadthehouseyellingwiththerapidityofhiswhirlwindrushes。HeoverwhelmedKingwithavalanchesofpunches，andKingdidnothing。Heneverstruckonce，contentinghimselfwithcoveringup，blockingandduckingandclinchingtoavoidpunishment。
Heoccasionallyfeinted，shookhisheadwhentheweightofapunchlanded，andmovedstolidlyabout，neverleapingorspringingorwastinganounceofstrength。SandelmustfoamthefrothofYouthawaybeforediscreetAgecoulddaretoretaliate。AllKing'smovementswereslowandmethodical，andhisheavy-lidded，slow-movingeyesgavehimtheappearanceofbeinghalfasleepordazed。Yettheywereeyesthatsaweverything，thathadbeentrainedtoseeeverythingthroughallhistwentyyearsandoddinthering。Theywereeyesthatdidnotblinkorwaverbeforeanimpendingblow，butthatcoollysawandmeasureddistance。
Seatedinhiscornerfortheminute'srestattheendoftheround，helaybackwithoutstretchedlegs，hisarmsrestingontherightangleoftheropes，hischestandabdomenheavingfranklyanddeeplyashegulpeddowntheairdrivenbythetowelsofhisseconds。Helistenedwithclosedeyestothevoicesofthehouse，"Whydon'tyehfight，Tom？"manywerecrying。
"Yehain'tafraidof'im，areyeh？"
"Muscle-bound，"heheardamanonafrontseatcomment。"Hecan'tmovequicker。TwotooneonSandel，inquids。"
Thegongstruckandthetwomenadvancedfromtheircorners。Sandelcameforwardfullythree-quartersofthedistance，eagertobeginagain；butKingwascontenttoadvancetheshorterdistance。Itwasinlinewithhispolicyofeconomy。Hehadnotbeenwelltrained，andhehadnothadenoughtoeat，andeverystepcounted。Besides，hehadalreadywalkedtwomilestotheringside。Itwasarepetitionofthefirstround，withSandelattackinglikeawhirlwindandwiththeaudienceindignantlydemandingwhyKingdidnotfight。Beyondfeintingandseveralslowlydeliveredandineffectualblowshedidnothingsaveblockandstallandclinch。Sandelwantedtomakethepacefast，whileKing，outofhiswisdom，refusedtoaccommodatehim。Hegrinnedwithacertainwistfulpathosinhisring-
batteredcountenance，andwentoncherishinghisstrengthwiththejealousyofwhichonlyAgeiscapable。SandelwasYouth，andhethrewhisstrengthawaywiththemunificentabandonofYouth。ToKingbelongedtheringgeneralship，thewisdombredoflong，achingfights。Hewatchedwithcooleyesandhead，movingslowlyandwaitingforSandel'sfrothtofoamaway。
TothemajorityoftheonlookersitseemedasthoughKingwashopelesslyoutclassed，andtheyvoicedtheiropinioninoffersofthreetooneonSandel。Buttherewerewiseones，afew，whoknewKingofoldtime，andwhocoveredwhattheyconsideredeasymoney。
Thethirdroundbeganasusual，one-sided，withSandeldoingalltheleading，anddeliveringallthepunishment。Ahalf-minutehadpassedwhenSandel，over-confident，leftanopening。King'seyesandrightarmflashedinthesameinstant。Itwashisfirstrealblow——ahook，withthetwistedarchofthearmtomakeitrigid，andwithalltheweightofthehalf-
pivotedbodybehindit。Itwaslikeasleepy-seeminglionsuddenlythrustingoutalightningpaw。Sandel，caughtonthesideofthejaw，wasfelledlikeabullock。Theaudiencegaspedandmurmuredawe-strickenapplause。Themanwasnotmuscle-bound，afterall，andhecoulddriveablowlikeatrip-hammer。
Sandelwasshaken。Herolledoverandattemptedtorise，butthesharpyellsfromhissecondstotakethecountrestrainedhim。Hekneltononeknee，readytorise，andwaited，whiletherefereestoodoverhim，countingthesecondsloudlyinhisear。Attheninthheroseinfightingattitude，andTomKing，facinghim，knewregretthattheblowhadnotbeenaninchnearerthepointofthejaw。Thatwouldhavebeenaknock-out，andhecouldhavecarriedthethirtyquidhometothemissusandthekiddies。
Theroundcontinuedtotheendofitsthreeminutes，SandelforthefirsttimerespectfulofhisopponentandKingslowofmovementandsleepy-eyedasever。Astheroundneareditsclose，King，warnedofthefactbysightofthesecondscrouchingoutsidereadyforthespringinthroughtheropes，workedthefightaroundtohisowncorner。Andwhenthegongstruck，hesatdownimmediatelyonthewaitingstool，whileSandelhadtowalkallthewayacrossthediagonalofthesquaretohisowncorner。Itwasalittlething，butitwasthesumoflittlethingsthatcounted。Sandelwascompelledtowalkthatmanymoresteps，togiveupthatmuchenergy，andtoloseapartofthepreciousminuteofrest。AtthebeginningofeveryroundKingloafedslowlyoutfromhiscorner，forcinghisopponenttoadvancethegreaterdistance。TheendofeveryroundfoundthefightmanoeuvredbyKingintohisowncornersothathecouldimmediatelysitdown。
Twomoreroundswentby，inwhichKingwasparsimoniousofeffortandSandelprodigal。Thelatter'sattempttoforceafastpacemadeKinguncomfortable，forafairpercentageofthemultitudinousblowsshowereduponhimwenthome。YetKingpersistedinhisdoggedslowness，despitethecryingoftheyounghot-headsforhimtogoinandfight。Again，inthesixthround，Sandelwascareless，againTomKing'sfearfulrightflashedouttothejaw，andagainSandeltooktheninesecondscount。
BytheseventhroundSandel'spinkofconditionwasgone，andhesettleddowntowhatheknewwastobethehardestfightinhisexperience。TomKingwasanoldun，butabetteroldunthanhehadeverencountered——anoldunwhoneverlosthishead，whowasremarkablyableatdefence，whoseblowshadtheimpactofaknottedclub，andwhohadaknockoutineitherhand。Nevertheless，TomKingdarednothitoften。Heneverforgothisbatteredknuckles，andknewthateveryhitmustcountiftheknucklesweretolastoutthefight。Ashesatinhiscorner，glancingacrossathisopponent，thethoughtcametohimthatthesumofhiswisdomandSandel'syouthwouldconstituteaworld'schampionheavyweight。Butthatwasthetrouble。Sandelwouldneverbecomeaworldchampion。Helackedthewisdom，andtheonlywayforhimtogetitwastobuyitwithYouth；andwhenwisdomwashis，Youthwouldhavebeenspentinbuyingit。
Kingtookeveryadvantageheknew。Henevermissedanopportunitytoclinch，andineffectingmostoftheclincheshisshoulderdrovestifflyintotheother'sribs。Inthephilosophyoftheringashoulderwasasgoodasapunchsofarasdamagewasconcerned，andagreatdealbettersofarasconcernedexpenditureofeffort。Also，intheclinchesKingrestedhisweightonhisopponent，andwasloathtoletgo。Thiscompelledtheinterferenceofthereferee，whotorethemapart，alwaysassistedbySandel，whohadnotyetlearnedtorest。Hecouldnotrefrainfromusingthosegloriousflyingarmsandwrithingmusclesofhis，andwhentheotherrushedintoaclinch，strikingshoulderagainstribs，andwithheadrestingunderSandel'sleftarm，Sandelalmostinvariablyswunghisrightbehindhisownbackandintotheprojectingface。Itwasacleverstroke，muchadmiredbytheaudience，butitwasnotdangerous，andwas，therefore，justthatmuchwastedstrength。ButSandelwastirelessandunawareoflimitations，andKinggrinnedanddoggedlyendured。
Sandeldevelopedafiercerighttothebody，whichmadeitappearthatKingwastakinganenormousamountofpunishment，anditwasonlytheoldringsterswhoappreciatedthedefttouchofKing'sleftglovetotheother'sbicepsjustbeforetheimpactoftheblow。Itwastrue，theblowlandedeachtime；buteachtimeitwasrobbedofitspowerbythattouchonthebiceps。Intheninthround，threetimesinsideaminute，King'srighthookeditstwistedarchtothejaw；andthreetimesSandel'sbody，heavyasitwas，waslevelledtothemat。Eachtimehetooktheninesecondsallowedhimandrosetohisfeet，shakenandjarred，butstillstrong。Hehadlostmuchofhisspeed，andhewastedlesseffort。Hewasfightinggrimly；buthecontinuedtodrawuponhischiefasset，whichwasYouth。
King'schiefassetwasexperience。Ashisvitalityhaddimmedandhisvigourabated，hehadreplacedthemwithcunning，withwisdombornofthelongfightsandwithacarefulshepherdingofstrength。Notalonehadhelearnednevertomakeasuperfluousmovement，buthehadlearnedhowtoseduceanopponentintothrowinghisstrengthaway。Againandagain，byfeintoffootandhandandbodyhecontinuedtoinveigleSandelintoleapingback，ducking，orcountering。Kingrested，butheneverpermittedSandeltorest。ItwasthestrategyofAge。
EarlyinthetenthroundKingbeganstoppingtheother'srusheswithstraightleftstotheface，andSandel，grownwary，respondedbydrawingtheleft，thenbyduckingitanddeliveringhisrightinaswinginghooktothesideofthehead。Itwastoohighuptobevitallyeffective；butwhenfirstitlanded，Kingknewtheold，familiardescentoftheblackveilofunconsciousnessacrosshismind。Fortheinstant，orfortheslighestfractionofaninstant，rather，heceased。Intheonemomenthesawhisopponentduckingoutofhisfieldofvisionandthebackgroundofwhite，watchingfaces；inthenextmomentheagainsawhisopponentandthebackgroundoffaces。Itwasasifhehadsleptforatimeandjustopenedhiseyesagain，andyettheintervalofunconsciousnesswassomicroscopicallyshortthattherehadbeennotimeforhimtofall。Theaudiencesawhimtotterandhiskneesgive，andthensawhimrecoverandtuckhischindeeperintotheshelterofhisleftshoulder。
SeveraltimesSandelrepeatedtheblow，keepingKingpartiallydazed，andthenthelatterworkedouthisdefence，whichwasalsoacounter。Feintingwithhislefthetookahalf-stepbackward，atthesametimeuppercuttingwiththewholestrengthofhisright。SoaccuratelywasittimedthatitlandedsquarelyonSandel'sfaceinthefull，downwardsweepoftheduck，andSandelliftedintheairandcurledbackward，strikingthematonhisheadandshoulders。TwiceKingachievedthis，thenturnedlooseandhammeredhisopponenttotheropes。HegaveSandelnochancetorestortosethimself，butsmashedblowinuponblowtillthehouserosetoitsfeetandtheairwasfilledwithanunbrokenroarofapplause。ButSandel'sstrengthandenduranceweresuperb，andhecontinuedtostayonhisfeet。
Aknock-outseemedcertain，andacaptainofpolice，appalledatthedreadfulpunishment，arosebytheringsidetostopthefight。ThegongstruckfortheendoftheroundandSandelstaggeredtohiscorner，protestingtothecaptainthathewassoundandstrong。Toproveit，hethrewtwoback-air-springs，andthepolicecaptaingavein。
TomKing，leaningbackinhiscornerandbreathinghard，wasdisappointed。
Ifthefighthadbeenstopped，thereferee，perforce，wouldhaverenderedhimthedecisionandthepursewouldhavebeenhis。UnlikeSandel，hewasnotfightingforgloryorcareer，butforthirtyquid。AndnowSandelwouldrecuperateintheminuteofrest。
Youthwillbeserved——thissayingflashedintoKing'smind，andherememberedthefirsttimehehadheardit，thenightwhenhehadputawayStowsherBill。Thetoffwhohadboughthimadrinkafterthefightandpattedhimontheshoulderhadusedthosewords。Youthwillbeserved!
Thetoffwasright。AndonthatnightinthelongagohehadbeenYouth。
To-nightYouthsatintheoppositecorner。Asforhimself，hehadbeenfightingforhalfanhournow，andhewasanoldman。HadhefoughtlikeSandel，hewouldnothavelastedfifteenminutes。Butthepointwasthathedidnotrecuperate。Thoseupstandingarteriesandthatsorelytriedheartwouldnotenablehimtogatherstrengthintheintervalsbetweentherounds。Andhehadnothadsufficientstrengthinhimtobeginwith。Hislegswereheavyunderhimandbeginningtocramp。Heshouldnothavewalkedthosetwomilestothefight。Andtherewasthesteakwhichhehadgotuplongingforthatmorning。Agreatandterriblehatredroseupinhimforthebutcherswhohadrefusedhimcredit。Itwashardforanoldmantogointoafightwithoutenoughtoeat。Andapieceofsteakwassuchalittlething，afewpenniesatbest；yetitmeantthirtyquidtohim。
Withthegongthatopenedtheeleventhround，Sandelrushed，makingashowoffreshnesswhichhedidnotreallypossess。Kingknewitforwhatitwas——abluffasoldasthegameitself。Heclinchedtosavehimself，then，goingfree，allowedSandeltogetset。ThiswaswhatKingdesired。Hefeintedwithhisleft，drewtheansweringduckandswingingupwardhook，thenmadethehalf-stepbackward，deliveredtheuppercutfulltothefaceandcrumpledSandelovertothemat。Afterthatheneverlethimrest，receivingpunishmenthimself，butinflictingfarmore，smashingSandeltotheropes，hookinganddrivingallmannerofblowsintohim，tearingawayfromhisclinchesorpunchinghimoutofattemptedclinches，andeverwhenSandelwouldhavefallen，catchinghimwithoneupliftinghandandwiththeotherimmediatelysmashinghimintotheropeswherehecouldnotfall。
Thehousebythistimehadgonemad，anditwashishouse，nearlyeveryvoiceyelling:"Goit，Tom!""Get'im!Get'im!""You'vegot'im，Tom!
You'vegot'im!"Itwastobeawhirlwindfinish，andthatwaswhataringsideaudiencepaidtosee。
AndTomKing，whoforhalfanhourhadconservedhisstrength，nowexpendeditprodigallyintheonegreateffortheknewhehadinhim。Itwashisonechance——nowornotatall。Hisstrengthwaswaningfast，andhishopewasthatbeforethelastofitebbedoutofhimhewouldhavebeatenhisopponentdownforthecount。Andashecontinuedtostrikeandforce，coollyestimatingtheweightofhisblowsandthequalityofthedamagewrought，herealizedhowhardamanSandelwastoknockout。Staminaandendurancewerehistoanextremedegree，andtheywerethevirginstaminaandenduranceofYouth。Sandelwascertainlyacomingman。Hehaditinhim。Onlyoutofsuchruggedfibreweresuccessfulfightersfashioned。
Sandelwasreelingandstaggering，butTomKing'slegswerecrampingandhisknucklesgoingbackonhim。Yethesteeledhimselftostrikethefierceblows，everyoneofwhichbroughtanguishtohistorturedhands。
Thoughnowhewasreceivingpracticallynopunishment，hewasweakeningasrapidlyastheother。Hisblowswenthome，buttherewasnolongertheweightbehindthem，andeachblowwastheresultofasevereeffortofwill。Hislegswerelikelead，andtheydraggedvisiblyunderhim；whileSandel'sbackers，cheeredbythissymptom，begancallingencouragementtotheirman。
Kingwasspurredtoaburstofeffort。Hedeliveredtwoblowsinsuccession——aleft，atrifletoohigh，tothesolarplexus，andarightcrosstothejaw。Theywerenotheavyblows，yetsoweakanddazedwasSandelthathewentdownandlayquivering。Therefereestoodoverhim，shoutingthecountofthefatalsecondsinhisear。Ifbeforethetenthsecondwascalled，hedidnotrise，thefightwaslost。Thehousestoodinhushedsilence。Kingrestedontremblinglegs。Amortaldizzinesswasuponhim，andbeforehiseyestheseaoffacessaggedandswayed，whiletohisears，asfromaremotedistance，camethecountofthereferee。Yethelookeduponthefightashis。Itwasimpossiblethatamansopunishedcouldrise。
OnlyYouthcouldrise，andSandelrose。Atthefourthsecondherolledoveronhisfaceandgropedblindlyfortheropes。Bytheseventhsecondhehaddraggedhimselftohisknee，whereherested，hisheadrollinggroggilyonhisshoulders。Astherefereecried"Nine!"Sandelstoodupright，inproperstallingposition，hisleftarmwrappedabouthisface，hisrightwrappedabouthisstomach。Thuswerehisvitalpointsguarded，whilehelurchedforwardtowardKinginthehopeofeffectingaclinchandgainingmoretime。
AttheinstantSandelarose，Kingwasathim，butthetwoblowshedeliveredweremuffledonthestalledarms。ThenextmomentSandelwasintheclinchandholdingondesperatelywhiletherefereestrovetodragthetwomenapart。Kinghelpedtoforcehimselffree。HeknewtherapiditywithwhichYouthrecovered，andheknewthatSandelwashisifhecouldpreventthatrecovery。Onestiffpunchwoulddoit。Sandelwashis，indubitablyhis。Hehadout-generalledhim，out-foughthim，out-pointedhim。Sandelreeledoutoftheclinch，balancedonthehairlinebetweendefeatorsurvival。Onegoodblowwouldtopplehimoveranddownandout。
AndTomKing，inaflashofbitterness，rememberedthepieceofsteakandwishedthathehaditthenbehindthatnecessarypunchhemustdeliver。Henervedhimselffortheblow，butitwasnotheavyenoughnorswiftenough。
Sandelswayed，butdidnotfall，staggeringbacktotheropesandholdingon。Kingstaggeredafterhim，and，withapanglikethatofdissolution，deliveredanotherblow。Buthisbodyhaddesertedhim。Allthatwasleftofhimwasafightingintelligencethatwasdimmedandcloudedfromexhaustion。Theblowthatwasaimedforthejawstrucknohigherthantheshoulder。Hehadwilledtheblowhigher，butthetiredmuscleshadnotbeenabletoobey。And，fromtheimpactoftheblow，TomKinghimselfreeledbackandnearlyfell。Onceagainhestrove。Thistimehispunchmissedaltogether，and，fromabsoluteweakness，hefellagainstSandelandclinched，holdingontohimtosavehimselffromsinkingtothefloor。
Kingdidnotattempttofreehimself。Hehadshothisbolt。Hewasgone。
AndYouthhadbeenserved。EvenintheclinchhecouldfeelSandelgrowingstrongeragainsthim。Whentherefereethrustthemapart，there，beforehiseyes，hesawYouthrecuperate。FrominstanttoinstantSandelgrewstronger。Hispunches，weakandfutileatfirst，becamestiffandaccurate。TomKing'sblearedeyessawtheglovedfistdrivingathisjaw，andhewilledtoguarditbyinterposinghisarm。Hesawthedanger，willedtheact；butthearmwastooheavy。Itseemedburdenedwithahundredweightoflead。Itwouldnotliftitself，andhestrovetoliftitwithhissoul。Thentheglovedfistlandedhome。Heexperiencedasharpsnapthatwaslikeanelectricspark，and，simultaneously，theveilofblacknessenvelopedhim。
Whenheopenedhiseyesagainhewasinhiscorner，andheheardtheyellingoftheaudienceliketheroarofthesurfatBondiBeach。Awetspongewasbeingpressedagainstthebaseofhisbrain，andSidSullivanwasblowingcoldwaterinarefreshingsprayoverhisfaceandchest。Hisgloveshadalreadybeenremoved，andSandel，bendingoverhim，wasshakinghishand。Heborenoill-willtowardthemanwhohadputhimoutandhereturnedthegripwithaheartinessthatmadehisbatteredknucklesprotest。ThenSandelsteppedtothecentreoftheringandtheaudiencehusheditspandemoniumtohearhimacceptyoungPronto'schallengeandoffertoincreasethesidebettoonehundredpounds。Kinglookedonapatheticallywhilehissecondsmoppedthestreamingwaterfromhim，driedhisface，andpreparedhimtoleavethering。Hefelthungry。Itwasnottheordinary，gnawingkind，butagreatfaintness，apalpitationatthepitofthestomachthatcommunicateditselftoallhisbody。HerememberedbackintothefighttothemomentwhenhehadSandelswayingandtotteringonthehair-linebalanceofdefeat。Ah，thatpieceofsteakwouldhavedoneit!Hehadlackedjustthatforthedecisiveblow，andhehadlost。
Itwasallbecauseofthepieceofsteak。
Hissecondswerehalf-supportinghimastheyhelpedhimthroughtheropes。
Hetorefreefromthem，duckedthroughtheropesunaided，andleapedheavilytothefloor，followingontheirheelsastheyforcedapassageforhimdownthecrowdedcentreaisle。Leavingthedressing-roomforthestreet，intheentrancetothehall，someyoungfellowspoketohim。
"W'ydidn'tyuhgoinan'get'imwhenyuh'ad'im？"theyoungfellowasked。
"Aw，gotohell!"saidTomKing，andpasseddownthestepstothesidewalk。
Thedoorsofthepublic-houseatthecornerwereswingingwide，andhesawthelightsandthesmilingbarmaids，heardthemanyvoicesdiscussingthefightandtheprosperouschinkofmoneyonthebar。Somebodycalledtohimtohaveadrink。Hehesitatedperceptibly，thenrefusedandwentonhisway。
Hehadnotacopperinhispocket，andthetwo-milewalkhomeseemedverylong。Hewascertainlygettingold。CrossingtheDomain，hesatdownsuddenlyonabench，unnervedbythethoughtofthemissussittingupforhim，waitingtolearntheoutcomeofthefight。Thatwasharderthananyknockout，anditseemedalmostimpossibletoface。
Hefeltweakandsore，andthepainofhissmashedknuckleswarnedhimthat，evenifhecouldfindajobatnavvywork，itwouldbeaweekbeforehecouldgripapickhandleorashovel。Thehungerpalpitationatthepitofthestomachwassickening。Hiswretchednessoverwhelmedhim，andintohiseyescameanunwontedmoisture。Hecoveredhisfacewithhishands，and，ashecried，herememberedStowsherBillandhowhehadservedhimthatnightinthelongago。PooroldStowsherBill!HecouldunderstandnowwhyBillhadcriedinthedressing-room。
End