The San Francisco call., 1896-11-26
FOUR SEA DOGS
FALL BEFORE F|Tz
A Battle Royal That Took
Place in SauSa-
Ito.
The Captains of Four Sailing
Ships Are Given a
Surprise.
They Tried Out Fitzsimmons at an
Old Eng iSh Game, Which He Won
With Points to Spare.

Don't talk to me about this man Fitz-
simmons" was the gruff response of Cap
tain McKinnon of the good ship Belford,
on being asked what be thought OF the
Cornishman as a puncher.
The captain is nursing a sore left arm
and while in somewhat pleasant mood
yesterday afternoon he "let the pig out of
the bag by relating to a small coterie of
friends an experience he had had a few
evenings ago in Sausalito with PugiIlst
Fitzsimmons.
1t appears that Captain McKinnon,
Richardson of the Pendragon Castle
Moulton of the Pegasus and Pritchard OF
the Glenesslin decided to visit the famous
pugilist at his training station and see
him perform with the mittens. The three
vessels mentioned are at anchor near
Sausalito.
Captain McKinnon was the owner of q
beautiful collie which accompanied him
to the fighters headquarters in Sausalito.
1t was the animals last trip ashore, how
ever, as it was run over and terribly mutt
lated by the train which was leaving the
depot for San Rafael.
OOL CSOl, SdlQ NdpLdiH
as the tears ran down his cheeks, "wab-
bled toward me with two of his legs bro
ken ano a portion of his nose cut off.
could not stand by and see my poor dog
suffering, and reluctantly [ took my pis-
tol from my pocket and ended his pain by
sending bullet through his head. The
day previous | received an offer of 5000 for
the dog, but money could not purchase
him."
Well, the four commanders paid their
best respects to lanky Bob, and after the
pugilist had toyed with the punching bag
for some time McKinnou suggested that a
little exercise would be of much coed to
them, and he asked Fitzsimmons if he
would object to a fistlc interview with the
big four. The blonde wizard of the ring
''sized" his game up, and with broad
smile on his handsome clean-cut counten-
ance asked the captains if that old Eng
llsh game OF zone down and the other
come on" would answer.
Richardson hesitated in giving an
answer, but when McKinnon, Pritchard
and Moulton agreed to the proposition
Richardson acquiesced and the pugilist
and the heavyweight mariners ad iourned
to 4 compartment in the Pacific Yacht
Club where FitZ has daily set-tos with his
trainers.
will you have gloves enough to go the
rounds, Mr.. FitZsimmons ?'' oueried
shoulder al Captain Richardson, who was
praying that the pugilist would answer in
the negative.
"Oh, | guess so' blandIy replled the
man of muscle. ''You see, we always ex-
pect visitors who are fond of the game
and occasionally we have side show
which affords considerable amusement.
Say, Julian" shouted Bob as his man
ager was leaving for the fighters resi-
dence on the nil, ''dig into that trunk of
mine and you will find four brace of
three-ounce gloves, which will tit the cap
tains' fins TO nicely"
Richardson Topped into one of the big
cane bottom chairs on the verandah of
the clubhouse and looked with longinc q
glances a. his ship, which was "at home"
III Richardson's Bay. Even PIitchard
who is said to be the conqueror OF many
men whom he met in his younger days IL
contests OF fisticuffs, appeared rather un-
easy, and in undertones suggested to
Captain McKinnon to call the thing off !;
but McKinnon was obdurate and whis-
pered into fritchard's ear that the hard er
The gloves the quicker the battle would
end.
Moulton ran his fingers through his
hair and looked wise.
Julian re returned TO the clubhouse with
Jour pairs of gloves that had seen hard
. service. Fitz examined the mittens, and
glancing over at mis- sparring partner, who
was chatting with Captain Richardson
said:
.'Why. Dan, l thought those gloves
weighed three ounces, but see that some
of the padding has been removed. They
can't possibly weigh more than two
ounces each, but l guess they are better
than no gloves at ALL
Richardson took another fond glance at
his good ship Pendragon Castle and won
dered if he ever would return alive to his
men. Hickey was alive to the situation,
and after short chat with FitZsimmons
he rushed to the dwelling and returned
with huge pitcher of ice water. Rich
ardson and Pritchard had a smile, but
Nj ckinnon and Moulton positively re-
fused an interview with the LIQUID that
never cheers.
Now, gentlemen, if you will prepare
for action / think we can rash this thin o
e through before those newspaper men from
Frisco, who are expected here at any
moment, put in their appearance" sug-
gested Mons. Julian, as he chuckled to
himself in anticipation of the heaps of fun
that was soon to come.
The captains were ushered into small
room, where they made ready for the
game OF lone man down and the other
come on"
Richardson, being a twice born English
i. man, would MOI show the white feather
for love nor money, but he rebeled
strongly against the gloves, which he said
were altogether too small for him. but
when Trainer Hickey said that they were
the largest mittens that were ever mad e
for man he resigned himself to his fate
and hoped for the best.
McKinnon kept the spirits of his com.