Due notice of the place was given to the parties interested on the Tuesday week before the mill, and they made such arrangements as best suited them. A special train was announced to start from Shoreditch Station at precisely eight o’clock on the morning of fighting. It was resolved only to have first and second class carriages, and that the fares should be £2 and £1 respectively for conveyance “there and back.” Third-class carriages were rejected to prevent the obtrusion of persons whose presence is invariably productive of disorder. Public notice was given of this arrangement, and on the morning in question, the weather being in every way desirable, the arrival, in rapid succession, of cabs, &c. in which an unusual number of Corinthians were perceptible, evinced the spirit that was abroad.
We must now turn to Bendigo. It would seem that during the previous week his Nottingham friends had come in great numbers to visit him at his training quarters, and being of the rough class, and not very particular when out for a spree, they contrived to create so much prejudice in the minds of the quiet and easy folk of the neighbourhood, that an application was made for a warrant to apprehend Bendigo on his way to the battle-field, and this warrant was placed in the hands of a constable for execution. Bendigo had previously shifted his quarters, and taken up his abode at the house of a staunch friend, whence, on Monday, he proceeded to a station eight miles from Nottingham, intending thence to depart for the scene of action. Here he was recognised by a “blue,” and an attempt was made to take him into custody. Bendy, however, being on the alert, broke from the grasp of the Philistines, and rushed through the house in which he was to a back yard, locking the door as he retreated. He then scrambled over some pig-sties, reached the open country, and by a circuitous route gained the main road, where a fly followed, picked him up, and conveyed him on his course. Police were mounted as quickly as possible, but too late to overtake the fugitive, who reached Newark, posted on to Stamford, where he slept, and on Tuesday evening reached in safety the Railway Tavern at Mildenhall, where he took up his quarters for the night, thus safely evading the trap which had been laid for his detention; and here he was found, surrounded by a good many friends, on the arrival of the metropolitan division.
An admirable inner and outer ring were formed on a spot about a quarter of a mile from the station, and few meetings had taken place in modern times at which there were so many persons of rank and consideration assembled. The total number of spectators was under 2,000, and the partisans of the men were pretty evenly balanced.
Soon after twelve o’clock, Paddock, who had been reposing under some shady trees, approached the scene of action, and, flinging his tile into the ring, was received with loud applause. It was nearly one o’clock before Bendy put in an appearance. He seemed in perfect good humour, but exhibited none of those antics by which his early career was distinguished. He was quiet and easy in his deportment, and submitted himself to the guidance of Jemmy the Black and Jack Hannan. Paddock was escorted into the arena by Solid Coates and Macdonald. There was a grim smile upon his countenance. He approached Bendy, and they shook hands with apparent cordiality. Bendy pulled a roll of bank notes from his pocket, as if intending to challenge his opponent to make a bet, but this Paddock declined. The toss for choice of corners was won by Bendy, and to the surprise of many he selected that in which he had to stare old Sol in the face; and perhaps his solar majesty never put forth a more glowing phiz, for in truth it was “phizzing” hot throughout the day, and the shades of umbrellas were sought for the protection of both men, who seated themselves on the ground in their respective corners, while the usual discussion arose concerning the selection of a referee. This knotty point led to a variety of difficulties. Several persons, noblemen and gentlemen, were suggested and rejected, and at last serious apprehensions were entertained that there would be no fight. Finally, the representative of Bell’s Life, who had twice refused the office, was induced, rather than spoil sport, to waive his own feelings on the subject, and to undertake a duly as unpleasant as it proved to be dangerous.
The men then commenced their toilettes. They fought in sparrow-bills instead of the objectionable spikes. On being completely peeled, their condition and physical pretensions were open for general criticism. Bendigo appeared extremely well in health, but thinner than usual, his weight not exceeding 11st. 9½lb., being 2lb. less than when he fought Caunt. His face also looked thinner, and, it could not be denied, betrayed the advance of time, and although not an old man, when compared with Paddock he certainly might be pronounced a veteran warrior. He was very quiet, and evidently foresaw that he had his work to do—work which he resolved to perform for the last time with as much acuteness as his experience could suggest. Paddock looked as fresh and fit as his best friends could desire. His face presented a glow of florid health, and there was nothing superfluous about his frame. Immediately beneath his drawers was a strengthening plaister, which seemed to cover his loins. He stood much taller than Bendigo, over whom his length of reach appeared to give him a decided advantage. Regarding the general appearance of the two men, the current seemed strongly to run in favour of youth; but, notwithstanding this apparent discrepancy, two to one was offered on Bendigo. The customary overtures having been adjusted, time was called, and the men appeared at the scratch.
THE FIGHT.
Round 1.—At twenty minutes to two the men were in position, Bendigo right foot foremost, with his arms close to his chest, and waiting for the attack. Paddock, on the contrary, had both arms stretched out before him, evidently, to our judgment, too much so to admit of heavy delivery. He made two or three steps forward, as if to commence the attack, but Bendy stepped back. Paddock exhibited great anxiety to get to work. Bendigo shifted his ground and got away. They played round each other in this way for a second or two, when Paddock came to a standstill, crossed his arms on his breast, and looked thoughtfully at the “old’un.” At last Paddock commenced his long-armed operations, and both flung out their feelers left and right, but without getting home. They fought wildly, and missed their blows. In the close Paddock was down, Bendy on him; but the trifling taps which reached their persons would not have ruffled the wing of a butterfly.
2.—Paddock quick to the scratch, impatient to get to work; and slight taps were exchanged, Bendy on Paddock’s body, and Paddock returning the compliment with his right. It was a scrambling affair, and the round ended in Bendigo getting down.
3.—Paddock again rushed to the charge with more impatience than judgment, popped in a slight slap with his right on Bendy’s nut, and was following up his tactics, when Bendy pirouetted round. Paddock pursued him with resolution, and as he was on the retreat let fly with his right, which, catching Bendy on the ribs, tumbled him down, amidst the cheers of the Redditch representatives. (First knock-down for Paddock.)
4.—No sooner was “time” called than Paddock rushed to the scratch, his arms still too much in advance. Bendigo adopted the dodging system, retreating from his man, and got away. Paddock, however, would not be denied, hit out wildly left and right, Bendigo covering his head with both arms, and again turning round on the pirouetting principle. Paddock fought fast and wild, but without precision. Bendigo, equally abroad, hit out twice, but missed his destination, and in the close went down.