Читать книгу Pugilistica онлайн

189 страница из 296

The fight took place on a piece of ground called Russia Farm, four or five miles from Kingston, and was well attended. Painter had for his seconds Belcher and Harmer; Spring was waited on by Cribb and Clark.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Both the combatants stripped with great confidence. Painter, attributing his loss of the last battle to an accident, appeared to feel that he had an opportunity to recover his blighted laurels. Spring, equally satisfied that his victory was due to his superior science, seemed conscious that conquest would again crown his efforts, but in less time. Great caution was observed on both sides, and between four and five minutes elapsed in endeavouring to gain the first advantage, when Spring made play, but Painter stopped his left in good style. Painter now appeared bent on mischief, and skilfully measured his distance, making a feint with his left hand, and, with a tremendous right-handed blow over Spring’s eye, not only produced the claret copiously, but floored him like a shot. This decided two events upon which many wagers were depending, namely, first blood and first knock-down blow. Loud shouting from the Castle side of the question; the betting was reduced to even, and Painter much fancied.

Правообладателям