The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-10-16

years HIS style, MS maXlmS ana MS battles
were studied, quoted and referred to az the
legacy Of tha great master.
SAN them when they first unnE fists at tho
81 Cock in Epping." said Colonel Hamilton. ''and
Humphrics showed himself tho better man.
He doubled the lesson later at Odihnm. ! see
hut one outcome"
II take 1t you missed their last meeting ut Stilton,"
said his companion. Sir Thomas Apreece. II was UNI
pire for Mendoza there. as l shall be again today.
and can assure you that Dan has become formidable
since those earlier thrashings You speak Of"
The two gentlemen were walking near the race
course at Doncaster. 1t WAS the Sellinger and Cur
week and the town WAS crowded with the thousands
who had come from all parts Of England for the racing
and the great fight between Humphries and Mendoza.
Both We're ardent followers Of the dstic science. and as
they had been called upon to act for the respective
combatants. they had met to talk over the articles of
agreement. That business having been completed.
they found themselves with an hour on their hands
until the time set for the contest.
"Humphries always has held that he was wrangled
out Of the Stilton fight" returned Hamilton. ut has
been a sore point with him ever since. and I have
heard him rehearse IT. blow by blow. He lost on n
foul. did he not?'
HE did. and should have lost earlie-.' said Sir
Thomas stoutly. AT the twenty-second round
HUMPHREYS dropped before a blow was struck. l
called him beaten on the spot. but yielded in face of
the clamor and because Dan was anxious to 90 Oh.
Later Humphries repeated the offence so openly that
there remained no doubt and his own umpire gave my
man the decision"
you will admit that Mendoza can hardly claim
superiority on the strength Of such a result" said
Hamilton. Their brief rally at the Cock proved
nothing, but at Oldham Humphries won by straight
lighting. The record is still in favor Of the Gentle
man Boxer"
II think had you seen their last fight you would not
be so confident answered Sir Thomas, thoughtfully.
This boy Mendoza, to my mind, will shortly show
himself to be the foremost boxer Of the day. He has
come to the front wonderfully fast and has learned
the lessons of years through a few hot engagements.
He fought at Stilton in conquering style and was
still strong at the finish.
He fights like no one else we have ever seen. Such
speed, such agility and such craft have never been
exhibited within my memory Of the prize ring. With
Vim boxing is distinctly a science, not a matter Of
Drawn and wind and courage, though al these he
possesses. There is something more. He covers him
self with wonderful skill, shifts and foots with the
rapidity of a cat. and is ever on the alert to gain legiti-
mate advantage by a weakness or error of his adver-
sary. Keen and intelligent, he is quite the equal Of
Humphries in strength and bottom"
."All the better conquest for Dick" said Hamilton.
Il am afraid you will find you have placed your man
too high However. the question will be very shortly
decided. There remains one point l wish to settle
with you.
The Law of a Foul.
'Humphries has one decided fault, though not a
wilful one. he is uncertain on his feet, Ms he showed
when he lost the Stilton fight on a foul. Now. as 1
understand 1t, the rule which says that IL man must
osc the fight If he falls before q blow is struck was
designed to prevent II sly boxer from stealing some
moments of respite ut II crucial time. Humphries, on
The other hand. Is likely 10 stumble and fall wholly
N.Y. ia. uy>..VA ,. A.
allowance to him If yon were convinced that he did
not mean to BIZ unfair?"
Il should not hesitate to exercise INV Judgment"
answered Sir Thomas mp AZ you say, the
article is commonly included in all agreements to
close a loophole for cowardice. II the man was still
strong and showed by his other actions that his in.
tentioDs continued to be honest and manly I should
give him the benefit Of n wink. At stuton I did not
consider Humphries entitled to that advantage"
THAT is all I could ask" said Hamilton. "Come, 4,
lacks half an hour Of ten. and II I know these York.
shire tykes there will be no chance of approaching tho
stage unless we hasten"
They turned their steps back towxrd the town.
where the streets we're already swarming and buzzinx
In the clear sunlight of a brisk September morning.
As they advanced the crowd increased, all faces being
turned In the direction of the inn on the river bank
where the fight was to take place. Countrymen we're
in the majority, and the broad hum Of Yorkshire
speech rose on the air like the twang of a bass vioI.
Surely not all these will pay half a guinea for
admittance," pulled Sir Thomas. as they elbowed
and wedged their way into the centre Of the press.
mot II they can find some thriftier way" said
Colonel Hamilton. smiling. "They are nker to tear
away the inn bodily"
At the expense Of rumpled clothing and much
Effort they reached the door of the inn and ESCAPED
the growing throng. Passing through. they entered
the inn yard. which had been prepared as the scene
of the combat.
The rear of the inn itself formed one end of the
ground, which was closed on the two sides by the
blank walls of dwellings. At the other end was the
bank OF the River Don. along which ran a stout pal.
isade. In the centre of this space a stage had been