45.—A wild rally, in which there were some flying hits exchanged, but Paddock wanted steadiness—he was too impatient—and Bendy played the part of Master Reynard. In the close Paddock was down.
46.—The heat of the weather began to tell on both, and each showed symptoms of fatigue. After a short pause there was a lively rally, in which Paddock received another visitation on the left cheek, and Bendy was down.
47.—A slight rally, in which exchanges were made, Bendy getting home with his left and going down smiling.
48.—Six and seven to four were now offered on Bendy, but no takers. The fight had lasted fifty-seven minutes. Paddock had lost none of his precipitate propensities; he rattled to his man, still fresh on his legs, but wild and passionate. Bendy retreated, Paddock after him, and Bendy, in avoiding, fell. Paddock struck him as he was down, and just brushed the top of his head with his right. Another cry of “Foul,” but the referee considered Paddock could not restrain the blow, and the appeal was once more rejected, and another urgent caution given to Paddock’s seconds to prevent his throwing a chance away.
49, and last.—Bendy waited for his man, but did not wait long. Paddock was with him, and, after an exchange of blows, Bendy fell on the lower rope, which, from being loose, let him down on the ground, and in this position, with his hands up, Paddock deliberately hit his man with his right on the side of the head twice. The last and final appeal was then made, and the referee had now no other option than to pronounce “Foul,” being perfectly satisfied that the man was on the ground when the blow was given.
The decision, of course, produced a great uproar among the losers; and, on Bendigo coming up to have it confirmed, Paddock, who had completely lost his temper, and while he was not offering the slightest resistance, hit him down almost at the feet of the referee. Thus ended this most unsatisfactory battle, with little credit to Bendigo, although strictly in accordance with the 14th rule of the Ring—“That a blow struck when a man is thrown or down shall be deemed foul.” There were those, of course, who repudiated the decision of the referee, and who, perhaps, without the same opportunity of seeing the real state of the men, considered that Bendy was not actually on the ground. There was not the slightest doubt, however, that he was seated on terra firma, with both his arms spread out, and his legs flat; and in this position Paddock, in the absence of that caution which the referee had so repeatedly recommended, foreseeing what would happen, committed the fatal mistake which ended in his chances being put out of court. It was thought by some that he struck foul for the express purpose of terminating his labours.
The confusion which followed was immense. The friends of Paddock were, of course, clamorous, and highly incensed at the disappointment of their hopes. There was, however, no help for it; the decision was strictly in accordance with rule, and although certainly mortifying could not have been otherwise if the laws were to be obeyed, added to which, Paddock had been over and over again cautioned against suffering his temper to get the better of his judgment. It is said that his seconds urged him to go in; this might be the case, but they should also have impresed upon him—if he were capable of guidance—what must be the sure result of intemperance, on which Bendigo and his coadjutors no doubt relied. However provoking it might be for Bendigo to get down to avoid mischief—too much the practice of pugilists of modern times—in Bendigo’s case might be justified by the superior strength and length of his antagonist. It does not follow that the breach of a clear rule is to be overlooked. Indeed, the reader can hardly fail to perceive that the referee was slow to decide against Paddock where he had any excuse for palliating his errors. These were considerations, however, which did not weigh with the angry party; they followed the referee out of the ring with volumes of abuse, and finally one of the gang (Long Charley Smith, of Birmingham) stealthily came behind him, and with a bludgeon dealt him a terrific blow on the back of the head, which for a moment paralysed him. Fortunately Tom Spring, who was behind, and heard the blow, turned round to prevent a repetition of the cowardly assault (narrowly escaping a similar compliment intended for himself by another ruffian), and the assassin fled, although his companions, also well known, remained to applaud the act with the consoling exclamation of “Sarved him right.” The effects of the concussion were serious, and subjected the sufferer to some inconvenience, probably to the triumph of those by whom it was abetted. Mr. Vincent Dowling was not one likely to seek redress for an act which no man, however sunk in degradation, in his moments of cool reflection can approve, and which certainly could receive no sympathy from the lovers of fair play.
Remarks.—Of the character of the fight we cannot speak in terms of praise. Bendigo was clearly overmatched; it was old age opposed to youth, vigour, and determination. In the early rounds of the fight he found his mistake. He could not withstand the impetuous rushes of the young’un, whose tactics were to bear down all the shifty dodges of his opponent, and this he did with a vengeance, and with a precipitation altogether at variance with sound discretion, although, for a time, Bendigo’s knowledge of the art was set at naught by it. The rapidity of the rounds—49 in 59 minutes—will show that there was little time for reflection on either side. Bendy soon discovered that he had “caught a Tartar,” and not, as he imagined, “a yokel.” Physically he was incapable of resisting the avalanche of sinew and bone which poured upon him, and as the only resource he had recourse to the distasteful practice of getting down, when he found destruction inevitable. This all practitioners will pronounce perfectly consistent with rule; as no man can be expected, for the mere gratification of the spectators, to submit to punishment if he can avoid it by legal expedients. The editor of Bell’s Life is candid enough to admit that he had a prejudice against Bendigo. We may add that the reading of his report of Bendigo’s third fight with Caunt fully shows this. For his own sake, and that of his friends, it was Bendigo’s duty to make the most of his knowledge and strength, and to husband whatever powers he possessed. This he did to the best of his ability, and had the worst of the battle, as the betting would show, till Paddock, by his own headstrong career, began to exhibit the effects of his own folly; he was, in fact, reduced to the level of his crafty antagonist, who, the moment he saw his time, came out with his reserve, and the blows which he then administered were of stinging effect, quickly perceptible by the judges, who, foreseeing the storm approaching, turned round to get out of their difficulties, and, from being a non-favourite, Bendigo soon had the call at six to four. The effects of this change were obvious; Paddock became still more wild, and rushed to his work without temper or reflection, although repeatedly called to by the referee to be careful in avoiding that which was easily foreseen, viz., the delivery of a foul blow. More than once was he saved from the consequences of his precipitation by the indulgence of the referee; there were doubts of which he had the benefit, to the personal risk of the referee; and yet at last he fell into the trap which was laid for him, and left to the referee no other option than to pronounce judgment against him—a judgment which was given with reluctance, but, as every impartial witness of the battle must acknowledge, with justice.
With regard to the state of the men, we may mention that Paddock reached London, per special train, the same night, little the worse for wear, with the exception of his swollen mazzard and damaged snout. The same night, however, it was discovered that he had seriously injured his right hand, which he had to submit to surgical inspection, and for some weeks he wore his arm in a sling, and his hand protected by a splint.
Bendigo remained at the “Railway Tavern” till the London trains had departed, and in due course commenced his return, with his friends, to Nottingham, where he arrived the same night by the express train. His success had been telegraphed, and an immense crowd assembled to hail his return—a band of music being prepared to strike up “See the conquering hero comes.” He proceeded to his brother’s house, where, upon examination, his injuries appeared more serious than had been supposed. In a fortnight after the battle Bendigo came to town and received the battle-money at Jem Burn’s, when he declared in a formal manner his intention of finally retiring from the ring. Hereupon the Tipton Slasher, who was present, and who had recovered from his illness, again laid claim to the Championship, offering to meet any man in England for £200 to £300 a side, or to fight Tom Paddock and stake £350. This led to a match for £150 a side, but this ended in a draw. A second match was soon after arranged, which came off on the 17th December, 1850, at Woking, the details of which will be found in the history of the career of the Tipton Slasher.