He
was quite determined to knock Starkie out or die in the attempt.
At four o'clock on the day indicated a crowd of first-and third-class
men were collected to see the great event. No fourth-class men were
allowed to attend except the two seconds. A ring was formed; Captain
Clark was chosen as referee; and the two combatants, stripped to the
waist, put on their hard gloves and entered the ring. Starkie eyed his
antagonist critically, while Sam with a heavenly smile on his face did
not focus his eyes at all, but seemed to be dreaming far away. When the
word was given, however, he dashed in and made some desperate lunges at
Starkie. It was easy to see in a moment that Sam could do nothing. He
could not even reach his opponent, his arms were so much shorter. If
Starkie held one of his arms out stiffly, Sam could not get near him
and was entirely at his mercy. The third-class man consequently set
himself leisurely to work at the task of punishing the unfortunate
Jinks. Two or three blows about the face and jaw which started the
blood in profusion ended the first round. Sam did not recognize the
inevitable result of the fight, and was anxious to begin again. He did
not seem to feel any pain from the blows. Two or three rounds had the
same result, and Sam became weaker and weaker. At last he could only go
into the ring and receive punishment without making an effort to avert
it, but he did not flinch.
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