35.—Again did Bendy fall, after Paddock had delivered slightly left and right. This dropping system of Bendy’s created a strong feeling of disgust, but it was clear that he was out-fought, and could not resist the vigorous attacks of his antagonist. He was obviously “biding his time.”
36.—A wild but rattling rally. The men fought and closed at the ropes, over which Bendy hung, Paddock peppering away at him from above. Another appeal of foul, which the referee again rejected, to the danger of his life. Several of the Nottingham division threatened him with their sticks, charging him with gross partiality, and asserting that the fight had been lost over and over again. The referee repeated his caution to Paddock’s friends to restrain his impetuosity and keep his temper.
37.—A lively rally, in which some wild hits, left and right, were exchanged. Both were down. Another appeal was made, on the ground that Paddock had been using turpentine and resin on his hands, contrary to the 27th rule of the Ring, by which it is provided “that the use of resin be deemed foul.” A suspicion existed that Paddock had been provided with resin in a dissolved state before the fight commenced, and a protest was entered against its use. Paddock was brought to the referee for examination, and there could be no doubt that his hands had been smeared with resin, but whether put on before the fight commenced, or after, could not be proved. The referee pronounced that such practice was foul, but, in the absence of direct evidence ordered that his hands should be washed, and that the fight should proceed—much to the renewed distaste or Bendigo’s friends, whose exclamations of partiality were vociferous.
38.—The delay occasioned by this examination gave an opportunity for Bendigo to recover his second wind, and come fresher to the scratch, for on time being called he waited steadily for his man, and on his coming in met him with a tremendous hit with his right on the bridge of the nose, drawing his cork in a most decided manner; the blood came trickling from his proboscis in a purple stream, and, after a short rally, both were down. The last hit made a decided turn in “the affairs of man,” and more especially in the minds of Bendy’s patrons, who cheered lustily.
39.—Bendigo again made himself up for mischief, and after stopping Paddock’s one, two, he delivered three loud sounding whacks on his ribs, which were heard all round the ring. A wild rally followed, and Bendy was down. The betting was now evens; Bendy was taken for choice.
40.—Bendy came up like “a giant refreshed.” He clearly saw he had brought his man to his level. He met him as he came bouncing in, stopped, closed, grappled for the throw, and fell on him. Renewed shouts from the Nottinghamites.
41.—Paddock came up, the claret still dripping from his nose. A wild rally, a close at the ropes, and Bendy down.
42.—Paddock, on getting into his corner, dropped his head as if stung by hits recently received. Still he obeyed the call of “time” as game as a pebble. Bendy, who had also reposed in his corner, got up fresher on his pins, waited for him, again parried his left and right, and once more delivered three heavy body blows with his left, and fell laughing.
43.—Bendy up at the usual summons, and steady. Paddock impetuously rushed to the attack, Bendy meeting him left and right as he came in. Paddock hit away left and right, forced him back on the ropes, and fell on him.
44.—Again, after a short struggle at the ropes, did Paddock fall over Bendy.