eed, which he was naturally not very solicitous to quit. I
subsequently discovered that he was considered the wizard of the gang.

{picture: John Thurtell. (From an old print.): page9.jpg}

"I have been already prolix with respect to these Gypsies, but I will not
leave them quite yet. The intended combatants at length arrived; it was
necessary to clear the ring--always a troublesome and difficult task.
Thurtell went up to the two Gypsies, with whom he seemed to be
acquainted, and, with his surly smile, said two or three words, which I,
who was standing by, did not understand. The Gypsies smiled in return,
and giving the reins of their animals to their mounted companion,
immediately set about the task which the king of the flash-men had, as I
conjecture, imposed upon them; this they soon accomplished. Who could
stand against such fellows and such whips? The fight was soon over--then
there was a pause. Once more Thurtell came up to the Gypsies and said
something--the Gypsies looked at each other and conversed; but their
words had then no meaning for my ears. The tall Gypsy shook his head.
'Very well,' said the other, in English, 'I will--that's all.'

"Then pushing the people aside, he strode to the ropes, over which he
bounded into the ring, flinging his Spanish hat high into the air.

"_Gypsy Will_.--'The best man in England for twenty pounds!'

"_Thurtell_.--'I am backer!'

"Twenty pounds is a tempting sum, and there were men that day upon the
green meadow who would have shed the blood of their own fathers for the
fifth of the price. But the Gypsy was not an unknown man, his prowess
and strength were notorious, and no one cared to encounter him. Some of
the Jews looked eager for a moment; but their sharp eyes quailed quickly
before his savage glances, as he towered in the ring, his huge form
dilating, and his black features convulsed with excitement. The
Westminster bravos eyed the Gypsy askance; but the comparison, if they
made any, seemed by no means favourable to themselves. 'Gypsy! rum
chap.--Ugly customer,--always in training.' Such were the exclamations
which I heard, some of which at that period of my life I did not
understand.

"No man would fight the Gypsy.--Yes! a strong country fellow wished to
win the stakes, and was about to fling up his hat in defiance, but he was
prevented by his friends, with--'Fool! he'll kill you!'

"As the Gypsies were mounting their horses, I heard the dusty phan