least it does appear."

Now Johnny hearing from the bunk
What both of them did say,
He shouted out, "Now stop it, Will,
Or else you'll rue the day."

"All right, friend John, I'm much obliged,
You are my friend, I know,
And so my little cousin, sir,
I'm willing to withdraw."

But Louis frothed at mouth with rage,
Like one that was insane,
And said he'd make Bill promise him
He'd not offend again.

"I'd promise no such thing," says Mark,
"For that would hurt your pride,
Sing on and read your testament,
Dame Europe's on your side."

"If I'd to promise aught like that,
'Twould be against my mind;
So take it right or take it wrong,
I'll promise naught o' t'kind."

"Then I shall take and wallop thee
Unless thou cuts thy stick;
And drive thee to thy fatherland
Before another week."

"Come on," cried Sanctimonius,
And sending out his arm
He caught poor Louis on the nose,
Then sung another psalm.

But Louis soon was on his pins,
And used his fists a bit,
But he was fairly out of breath,
And seldom ever hit.

And at the end of round the first,
He got it fearful hot,
This was his baptism of fire
If we mistake it not.

So Willie sent a letter home
To mother old Augusta,
Telling her he'd thrashed poor Loo,
And given him such a duster.

"What wonderful events," says he,
"Has heaven brought about,
I'll fight the greatest pugilist
That ever was brought out.

And if by divine Providence
I get safe through this row,
Then I will sing 'My God, the spring
From whom all blessings flow.'"

Meanwhile the other Monitors,
Were standing looking on,
But none of them dare speak a word,
But all stared straight at John.

"Ought not I to interfere?"
Says Johnny to the rest;
But he was told by every one
Neutrality was best.

"Neutral," growl'd John, "I hate the word,
'Tis poison to my ear;
It's another word for cowardice,
And makes me fit to swear.

"At any rate I can do this,
My mind I will not mask,
I'll give poor Loo a little drop
Out of my brandy flask.

"And give it up, poor Loo, my lad,
You might as well give in,
You know that I have got no power;
Besides, you did begin."

Then Louis rose, and looked at John,
And spoke of days gone by
When he would not have seen his friend
Have blackened Johnny's eye.

"And as for giving in, friend John,
I'll do nothing of the sort;
Do you think I