5.—Paddock up and at it still, but without the judgment of a good tactician. He missed left and right, but rushed on with such vigour that Bendigo was again obliged to retreat with a twirling evolution, and in avoiding Paddock’s wild pursuit got down—Paddock pointing at him with his finger with contempt.
6.—Bendy came coolly to the scratch, looking as cunning as an old fox, and prepared for the attack. He had not long to wait, for Paddock, with his usual impetuosity, dashed to his work, Bendy getting away. Paddock followed him up till they reached the ropes, and a hasty rally followed, when Paddock popped in his left and right, the latter on Bendy’s ear. Bendy returned the compliment, hit out left and right, caught Paddock on the left eyebrow, and dropped. First blood was now claimed for Bendy, a slight tinge being perceptible on Paddock’s left eyebrow.
7.—Paddock again as quick as lightning to the scratch, and after some wild but very ineffective exchanges, Bendy went down. As he lay Paddock held his foot above his body, as if intending to scrunch him; but luckily, whatever might have been his wishes, he had discretion enough to resist the momentary impulse.
8.—Paddock no sooner up than at it; Bendy on the retreat, and twirling round to avoid his resolute pursuer. Paddock followed him till they closed at the ropes, over which Bendy fell, Paddock on him.
9.—Paddock again too hastily to business, when, after some wild exchanges, they closed. Paddock grappled his man, and, as he held him in his left arm, chopped his nob with his right, till he slipped down on his nether end.
10.—Paddock pursued his fast tactics, but so wild were the deliveries on both sides that no serious mischief was done; and in the close, in trying for the fall, they were both down, Bendy uppermost.
11.—Paddock hit short with his left; Bendy got away. Paddock would not be denied, delivered his left and right, and closed, when after a severe struggle (Paddock chopping with his right) Bendigo was thrown over the ropes. On getting up blood was perceptible on the left brow of Bendigo; so far, therefore, the punishment was pretty much upon a par.
12.—Paddock impatiently rushed to his man, hit wildly with his left, and closed at the ropes. A short struggle; both down, Bendy undermost.
13.—Paddock, quick to work, gave the “old ’un” no time for reflection, dashed at him left and right, tumbled him over the ropes, and fell on him. The youth and vigour of Paddock up to this time seemed to have put all Bendy’s memorable tactics at defiance, and although nothing had been done to produce a sensation in the way of punishment on either side, the manner in which Bendy retreated from his opponent, which was so utterly unexpected, produced a strong feeling to his disfavour, and those who had so freely backed him in the first instance, turned round and laid against him; in fact, six to four was offered on Paddock.
14.—The quickness of Paddock’s onslaughts obviously set Bendigo’s bellows in motion; he was, however, ready at the call of “time,” and met the coming charge with determination. Some heavy hits were exchanged, Paddock catching the lion’s share. In the close there was a desperate struggle for the fall, during which Bendigo, to resist the throw, caught Paddock round the face with his right, amidst a cry of “He’s gouging him.” It was asserted that he was endeavouring to force his fingers into his eye, but it was not so. His hand was against Paddock’s bleeding cheek. In the end Bendy was down, Paddock on him. Complaint was made to the referee of the alleged gouging, but the evidence was not sufficient to justify any interruption of the fight on that account.