CHAPTER XIV--ON THE ROAD

And now the day of the great fight began to approach. Even the imminent outbreak of war and the renewed threats of Napoleon were secondary things in the eyes of the sportsmen--and the sportsmen in those days made a large half of the population. In the club of the patrician and the plebeian gin-shop, in the coffee-house of the merchant or the barrack of the soldier, in London or the provinces, the same question was interesting the whole nation. Every west- country coach brought up word of the fine condition of Crab Wilson, who had returned to his own native air for his training, and was known to be under the immediate care of Captain Barclay, the expert. On the other hand, although my uncle had not yet named his man, there was no doubt amongst the public that Jim was to be his nominee, and the report of his physique and of his performance found him many backers. On the whole, however, the betting was in favour of Wilson, for Bristol and the west country stood by him to a man, whilst London opinion was divided. Three to two were to be had on Wilson at any West End club two days before the battle.

I had twice been down to Crawley to see Jim in his training quarters, where I found him undergoing the severe regimen which was usual. From early dawn until nightfall he was running, jumping, striking a bladder which swung upon a bar, or sparring with his formidable trainer. His eyes shone and his skin glowed with exuberent health, and he was so confident of success that my own misgivings vanished as I watched his gallant bearing and listened to his quiet and cheerful words.

Based on the article and the following list of answers, write a list of questions.

1. yes
2. half of the population
3. Napoleon
4. the great fight
5. Crab Wilson
6. Captain Barclay
7. no one yet
8. Jim
9. his physique and performance
10. no
11. Wilson
12. a severe regimen
13. running, jumping, striking a bladder, sparring
14. he had misgivings
15. the vanished
16. watching his gallant bearing
1. Where there a lot of sportsmen around at the time?
2. How many of them?
3. What was threatening the nation at the time?
4. What were the sportsmen more concerned about?
5. How was being trained for the fight?
6. Who was training him?
7. Who did the uncle nominate?
8. Who was he thinking of nominating?
9. Why Jim?
10. Where the people betting on Jim to win the fight?
11. Who were they betting on?
12. What kind of training was Jim doing?
13. Doing what?
14. How did the author of this story feel about Jim's chances?
15. What happened to his misgivings?
16. What made them vanish?