of the stage.
The countenance of the black, and his huge chest, resembled rather
a colossal statue of bronze, than the bust of a human being. His eye
gleamed at Lamh Laudher with baleful flashes of intense hatred. The
spectators saw, however, that the dimensions of Lamh Laudher gained
considerably by his approximation to the black. The dusky color of the
Boxer added apparently to his size, whilst the healthful light which lay
upon the figure of his opponent took away, as did his elegance, grace,
and symmetry, from the uncommon breadth and fulness of his bust.

Several feints were made by the black, and many blows aimed, which Lamh
Laudher, by his natural science and activity, parried; at length a blow
upon the temple shot him to the boards with great violence, and the
hearts of the spectators, which were all with him, became fearfully
depressed.

O'Rorke, having been raised, shook his head as if to throw off the
influence of the blow. Neil afterwards declared that when coming to the
second round, resentment and a sense of having suffered in the opinion
of the multitude by the blow which brought him down, had strung his
muscular power into such a state of concentration, that his arms became
as hard as oak. On meeting again he bounded at the Boxer, and by a
single blow upon the eye-brow felled him like an ox. So quickly was
it sent home, that the black had not activity to guard against it; on
seeing which, a short and exulting cheer rose from the multitude. We are
not now giving a detailed account of this battle, as if reporting it for
a newspaper; it must suffice to say, that Lamh Laudher was knocked down
twice, and the Dead Boxer four times, in as many rounds. The black, on
coming to the seventh round, laughed, whilst the blood trickled down his
face. His frame appeared actually agitated with inward glee, and indeed
a more appalling species of mirth was never witnessed.

It was just when he approached Lamh Laudher, chuckling hideously, his
black visage reddened with blood, that a voice from the crowd shouted--

"He's laughing--the blow's coming--O'Rorke, remember your instructions."

The Boxer advanced, and began a series of feints, with the intention of
giving that murderous blow which he was never known to miss. But before
he could put his favorite stratagem in practice, the activity of O'Rorke
anticipated his _ruse_, for in the dreadful energy of his resentment he
not only forgot the counter-secret which had been