All amusement which might have been derived from this spectacle, however, was completely destroyed by the daring outrages of an immense gang of pickpockets, who broke in the Ring, and closed completely up to the ropes, carrying with them every person, of decent appearance, and openly robbing them of their watches, pocket-books and purses.

And the lateness of the hour, it being five o'clock, and almost dark, favoured the depredators.
In the midst of this struggle, Tom Dashall had nearly lost his fancy topper,{1} and Tallyho was secretly eased of his clicker.{2} From the scene of tumult and confusion they were glad to escape; and being again safely seated in the 1 Topper--A flash term given to a hat.
2 Clicker--A flash term given to a watch, ~402~~ barouche, they made the best of their way home; in doing which, they found the roads almost as much clogg'd as they were in the morning.
The Randallites were meritorious, and, flushed with good fortune, lined the public-houses on the road to _wet their whistles_, singing and shouting his name in strains to them equally inspiring as "See the conquering hero comes! Sound your trumpets, beat your drums;" while the Martinites rolled along the road in sullen silence; and, by the time they reached town, an account of the Battle was hawking about the streets, and songs singing to the praise of the successful combatant in all the melodious cadences of a last dying speech and confession: such is the promptitude of London Printers, Poets, and News-venders.
"Well," said Dashall, as they re-entered the house, "the events of this day have completely disappointed some of the knowing ones." "That may be," replied Bob, "but they have been too knowing for me, notwithstanding your previous instructions.

However, I don't regret seeing the humours of a Prize Ring; and the next time you catch me there, I must take a lesson from the man of profit, and keep a wakeful winker on the possibles.

Really, I could not help feeling astonished at the immense number of persons assembled on such an occasion." [Illustration: page402 A Private Turn-up] "Zounds!" said Tom, "'tis the real centre of attraction, the thing, the tippy, and the twig, among the Lads of the Fancy.

Why, it is pretty generally known, through the medium of the newspapers, that a certain Nobleman paid the debts of one of these Pugilists, amounting to 300L.
that he might be released from Newgate in order to fight a prize battle; and it is not long since that the Marquis of T--ed--e, whilst entertaining a large party, after dinner introduced the subject with so much effect, that a purse of 100 guineas was subscribed among them for a turn up between two of the _prime hammermen_; who, being introduced, actually set-to in his drawing-room for the amusement of his friends.
Nor is it less true, that this sporting Nobleman gloriously took up the conqueror, (as the saying is) and evinced his patronage and his power at once, by actually subduing his antagonist, proving to certitude, that if his Lordship would but practise this sublime art, he ~403~~ could hardly fail of adding to his present title that of the Champion of England! It is the theme of constant conversation, and in many cases there is more anxiety about contests of this sort than there is about the arrival of a Monarch on the Irish coast among the lads of _praties_, whiskey, and buttermilk--thoughts are busy, energies are active--and money in galore is circulated upon it." Bob laughed heartily at these observations of his Cousin upon what he termed the sublime art.
"You don't appear to enter into the spirit of it," continued Tom; "but I can assure you, it is a very animating subject, and has occupied the attention of all classes, from the peer to the prelate, the peasant and the pot-boy; it is said that one of the lower order of ranting Preachers, not many miles from Bolton-on-the-Moors, lately addressed his auditory in the following metaphorical language, accompanied with striking and appropriate attitudes:--'I dare say, now, you'd pay to see a boxing-match between Randall and Turner, or Martin--yet you don't like to pay for seeing a pitched-battle between me and the Black Champion Beelzebub.