The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-31
RODNEY STONE.
A Reminisc of
the Ring.
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.
oopv-toht. o'., oy 4. Conan Doyle.
By A. CONAN DOYLE.
oopvrtoht, 's'., bp a. Conan poy,e.
CHAPTER xI.
THl EIoHT IN TILE CoAcn unrsr

oIHi VI hAutuueT. Inere might he nrQu-
ment as to who was the champion at each
weight, but there could be no question tina,
ell the champions Of all the weights were
seated round the tables. An audacious chal.
lenge. which embraced them one and all, with.
out regard to size or age. could hardly be re.
Rarued othorwtse than as q Joke. but II was a
"ke that might be q dear one for the Joker.
an a,iG !s,nu!nep" netsd ny uncle.
Yes, Sir Charles" answered the landlord.
"The man is waiting below"
It's a kidd" cried several OF the fighting
men. Some cove is a.Rammonin' u.s."
Don't you believe It," answered the land
lord. Hes a real, slap.up Corinthian bv his
dress, and he means what he sayo, or else I
amt no Judge of a man."
My uncle whispered for n few moments with
the Prince OF Wales. "well. gentlemen"
said he at last, ''the night is still young. and
II any OF You should wish to show the COM
pany q little of your skill, you could not wish
q better opportunity"
What weight Is he. Bill2' asked Jem Bel
cher.
HE Is close onto six foot. and I should put
him well up into the thirteen stone when he's
buffed."
Heavy metal" cried jackson. "who
takes him on?"
They all wanted to, from the limestone
Dutch Sam upward. The air was filled with
their hoarse shouts and their arguments why
each should be the chosen one. To fight
when they were flushed with wine ana ripe
for mlschief-above all. to fight before so Sc
lect a company, with the Prince himself by the
ringside was q chance which did not often
come in their way. Only jackson, Belcher.
Mendoza. and one or two others of the sober
and more famous men remained silent. think
ing It beneath their dignity that they should
condescend to so irregular a bye-battle.
well. You can't all fight him." remarked
Jackson. wien the babel had died away. Its
for the Chairman to choose"
PERHAPS your Royal Highness has a prefer
encc." said my uncle.
by God. I'd take him on myself II my pc.
sition was different to what 1t is" said the
Prince, whose face was growing redder and
his eyes moro glazed. you've seen me with
the mufiiers. ;Jackson! You know my form"
i've seen your Royal Highness. and I've
felt your Royal Highness." said tho courtly
jackson.
Perhaps Jem Belcher would give us an ex-
hibition.' " said my uncle.
Belcher smiled, and shook his handsome
head.
There's my brother Tom here. who has
never becn blooded in London. sir. He might
make q fatrer match of It,"
'9ive EN- over to me- roared Joe Berks.
'Tve been waitin' for a turn all evening. an
I'll fight any man that tries to take my place.
'E's my meat. my masters. Leave 'em to me
II you want to see how..a Calls head should be
dressed. II you put Tom: Belcher before me-
I'll fight Tom Relcher. and for that matter
I'll fight Jem Belcher. or Bill Belcher. or any
other Belcher that ever came out Of Bristol
1t was clear that Berks had got to the stage
when he must fight some one. His heavy face
was gorged and the veins stood out on his
low forehead. whte his fierce gray eyes looked
viciously from man to mar in quest OF a quar-
rel. His great red hands were punched into
huge gnarled fists. and Re shook one of them
menacingly as his drunken gaze swept round
the tables.
II think you'll agree with me. gentlemen.
that Joe Berks would be all the better for
some fresh air and exercise" said my uncle.
with the concurrence Of his Royal Highness
and Of the company. l shall select him as our
champion on this OCCASION"
"You do me proud cried the fellow. stag
eering to his feet and pulling at his coat IF
! don't glut him within the five minutes may
I never see Shropshire again."
"wait y bit, Berks." cried several OF. tine
amateurs. where's it going to be heldf"
'Where you like. masters. I'll fight I'm in
. saw pit. or on tho outside of a coach. II 1t
please Won. Put US the to toe, and leave the
rest with me-"
Tho can't fight hero with all this litter
said my uncle. ''Where shall it Der"
"'Pon my soul, Tregellis." cried the Prince,
"I think our unknown friend might have a
word to say upon that matter. He'll be vastly
Ill used II you don't let him have his own choice
Of conditions"
'You arc right, sir. We must have him up"
.'That's easy enough" said the landlord,
'.for here he comes through the doorway"
I glanced around. and had a side view Of a
tall and we'll addressed young man. In q long
brown travelling coat and q black felt hat.
The next instant he had turned, and l had
cIutched with. both my hands onto Champion
Harrison's arm.
"Harrisonw I Rasped; "it's Boy Jim"
And yet somehow the possibility, and even
the probability of It. had occurred to me from
the beginning. and / believe that 1t had to
Champion Harrison also. for ! had noticed
that his face grew grave and troubled from tho
very moment that there was talk OF the stran-
ger below. Now, the instant that tho buzz
and surprise and admiration which was caused
by Jim's face and figure had died away. Har-
rison was on his feet. gesticulating In his ex-
element.
Its my nephew, Jim. gentlemen" no cried.
'He's not 20 yet, and it's no doing Of mine
that he should be here"
~ 'AAA 'ANrNN
'He's big enough to take care Of himself"
''This matter has gone rather far" said my
uncle. II think. Harrison. that you are too
good a sportsman to prevent your nephew from
showing whether he takes after his uncle"
Its very different from me-" cried Harri-
sou, IN great distress. But I'll tell you what
III 10, gentlemen. / never thought TO stand
up In a ring again, but I'll take on Joe Berks
with pleasure, Just 10 give a bit o. sport TO this
company"
Boy Jim stepped across and laid his hand
upon the prize fighters shoulder.
1T must DO 90, uncle" ! heard him whisper.
sI am sorry TO 20 against your wishes, but I
have made up my MIND. and ! must carry 1t
through"
Harrison shrugged his broad shoulders.
''Jim. Jim. you don't know what you arc do
Ing! But I've heard you speak like that before.
and l know that II ends In your getting FOUR
WaE."
"I 1pss. Harrison. that your opposition is
-EaIa--. " aatd $3.50 un,t.