San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-11
81 know" said Merle.

wasn't on the free list, either
morrow morning / start trai!
Only-I wish you'd kept out
girl"
eff 1 had," she countered. q
nelly'd have kept out of it, toI
had to. l didn't like doing it,
more than you liked having n
itw
Five weeks later-on Thu
giving Eve-the Cestus G
peachbasket auditorium was
med to the doors and to the
Spike Kennedy had had a
and happy five weeks. He
trained, it is true; but not in
grillingly drastic fashion that
marked his earlier fight PREF
tons.
A blow on the crown of the
is one of the easiest to deliver
can be landed as an opponent.
es, head down. 1t can be st
unerringly as an adversary
into a clinch or energies from
1t is a useless and silly blow.
top Of the normal human hes
fairly impervious to a smash
a padded fist. There is far
danger of breaking the bone
the fist that deals such a
Wherefore, many boxers purl
ly oppose their head-crowns
punch; in the hope of cripl
their adversaries.
Serenely sure that he could
the top of Merle's head with
gering force, any time he n
choose to, Kennedy proceede
increase his own chances
wealth. Scraping together e
available dollar of his ring-e
ings, he. bet half of this sun
approximately even money, OF,
winning of the fight. The
through commissioners, he pl1
at odds averaging three to
that he would win it in five 70
or less. Seldom had spot
proposition appeared safer.
On the night of the battle
men shuffled out of their |
robes and came to the cente
the ring for the referees inst
tions.
The gong rang; and the
was on.
Spike at once took the agd
sive. Merle did not follow his U
tactics of meeting his man,
to foot. Instead, he retreated]
fore the onset; backing Zig
away; dancing just out of re
sparring at long range.
while he did this, he broke ano
ring rule Of his, by talking dul
a bout.
"Spike, my FRIEND" he said,
tinctly enough for the purs
champion to catch every SARx
"she warned you it was on
fairy story.-And it was-Anl
but a boob would know the to
a mans head has nothing to
with his eyes.-Hammer me I'll
all you like.-Hammer me tt
till you break every bone in
YOUR hands.-You'r re out for a
ing, hey? Well, the killing is
all right.-Only, you're the XII
not the killer-Watchw
AS he spoke, he halted in his
retreat. Kennedy had Just lau
ed a fierce left lead for his
Ducking, Merle deliberately
the mighty punch on the crow
his head. It's impact staggered
But that same impact sent ST.
ing pains up Spikes arm
numbed his hand to the vi
Merle danced away, grinning.
81 keep on seeing, better
better. all the time" he ammo
ed. "Trv it again.
Then Merle Renton began
fight. He assaulted his foe, a
ships; never losing the aggressi
In the fourth round Merle
ped a furnishing lefthander to
stomach and was following it
a right to the heart when, raj
and in agony, Spike dropped
guard to protect his meridian.
mid-air, Renton shifted the ri
handlers course and brought
flush to Spikes unguarded jaw
Down went Kennedy, under
punch. And down he stayed,
til the count of nine. He net
the resting space badly. In
fifth round, he was knocked d
twice; both times taking the
count of nine.
As he came up for tbs
round, Spike swayed drunkenl
his walk.
From the crowd went I'M
world-old merciless shout of bI
lust.
"Finish him!" bawled the I
tators. "Finish the big stiffw
Merle, unwearied. vibrant
energy, went sternlv to his VI
Spike unrested by his minutl
surcease, strove to lift lie;
arms to ward off the attack.
his eyes had leaped craven I'd
Renton checked his own fe
ious advance. He had caught
read the look in his ornon,
stricken face. Instead of Ian
ing the attack. he merely tn
forth his right hand, palm d
Resting the palm on Kenne
chest. Merle gave a gentle u
The New Zealander tottered b
ward and sat down hard, in
RING.
There he sat while the ref