l, which was instantly frozen into ice. Some gentlemen
present were evidently fathers of families, recognized as such by their
putting up their umbrellas.

On the side of Phelem-ghe-Madone was Colonel Moncreif, as umpire; and
Kilter, as second, to support him on his knee.

On the side of Helmsgail, the Honourable Pughe Beaumaris was umpire,
with Lord Desertum, from Kilcarry, as bottle-holder, to support him on
his knee.

The two combatants stood for a few seconds motionless in the ring,
whilst the watches were being compared. They then approached each other
and shook hands.

Phelem-ghe-Madone said to Helmsgail,--

"I should prefer going home."

Helmsgail answered, handsomely,--

"The gentlemen must not be disappointed, on any account."

Naked as they were, they felt the cold. Phelem-ghe-Madone shook. His
teeth chattered.

Dr. Eleanor Sharpe, nephew of the Archbishop of York, cried out to
them,--

"Set to, boys; it will warm you."

Those friendly words thawed them.

They set to.

But neither one nor the other was angry. There were three ineffectual
rounds. The Rev. Doctor Gumdraith, one of the forty Fellows of All
Souls' College, cried,--

"Spirit them up with gin."

But the two umpires and the two seconds adhered to the rule. Yet it was
exceedingly cold.

First blood was claimed.

They were again set face to face.

They looked at each other, approached, stretched their arms, touched
each other's fists, and then drew back.

All at once, Helmsgail, the little man, sprang forward. The real fight
had begun.

Phelem-ghe-Madone was struck in the face, between the Ryes. His whole
face streamed with blood. The crowd cried,--

"Helmsgail has tapped his claret!"

There was applause. Phelem-ghe-Madone, turning his arms like the sails
of a windmill, struck out at random.

The Honourable Peregrine Bertie said, "Blinded;" but he was not blind
yet.

Then Helmsgail heard on all sides these encouraging words,--

"Bung up his peepers!"

On the whole, the two champions were really well matched; and,
notwithstanding the unfavourable weather, it was seen that the fight
would be a success.

The great giant, Phelem-ghe-Madone, had to bear the inconveniences of
his advantages; he moved heavily. His arms were massive as clubs; but
his chest was a mass. His little opponent ran, struck, sprang, gnashed
his teeth; redoubling vigour by quickness, from knowledge of the
science.

On the one side was the primi