第2章

Ayoungman，inablacksuit，withamopofhairandapreposterouslytallstarchedcollar，walkedtothecentreoftheringandhelduphishand。

"Gentlemenwillpleasestopsmoking，"hesaid。

Hiseffortwasapplaudedbygroansandcat-calls，andshenoticedwithindignationthatnobodystoppedsmoking。Mr。Clausenheldaburningmatchinhisfingerswhiletheannouncementwasbeingmade，andthencalmlylightedhiscigar。Shefeltthatshehatedhiminthatmoment。HowwasherJoetofightinsuchanatmosphere？Shecouldscarcelybreatheherself，andshewasonlysittingdown。

TheannouncercameovertoJoe。Hestoodup。Hisbathrobefellawayfromhim，andhesteppedforthtothecentreofthering，nakedsaveforthelowcanvasshoesandanarrowhip-clothofwhite。

Genevieve’seyesdropped。Shesatalone，withnonetosee，butherfacewasburningwithshameatsightofthebeautifulnakednessofherlover。Butshelookedagain，guiltily，forthejoythatwashersinbeholdingwhatsheknewmustbesinfultobehold。Theleapofsomethingwithinherandthestirofherbeingtowardhimmustbesinful。Butitwasdelicioussin，andshedidnotdenyhereyes。

InvainMrs。Grundyadmonishedher。Thepaganinher，originalsin，andallnatureurgedheron。Themothersofallthepastwerewhisperingthroughher，andtherewasaclamourofthechildrenunborn。Butofthissheknewnothing。Sheknewonlythatitwassin，andsheliftedherheadproudly，recklesslyresolved，inonegreatsurgeofrevolt，tosintotheuttermost。

Shehadneverdreamedoftheformundertheclothes。Theform，beyondthehandsandtheface，hadnopartinhermentalprocesses。

Achildofgarmentedcivilization，thegarmentwastohertheform。

Theraceofmenwastoheraraceofgarmentedbipeds，withhandsandfacesandhair-coveredheads。WhenshethoughtofJoe，theJoeinstantlyvisualizedonhermindwasaclothedJoe——girl-cheeked，blue-eyed，curly-headed，butclothed。Andtherehestood，allbutnaked，godlike，inawhiteblazeoflight。ShehadneverconceivedoftheformofGodexceptasnebulouslynaked，andthethought-

associationwasstartling。Itseemedtoherthathersinpartookofsacrilegeorblasphemy。

Herchromo-trainedaestheticsenseexceededitseducationandtoldherthatherewerebeautyandwonder。ShehadalwayslikedthephysicalpresentmentofJoe，butitwasapresentmentofclothes，andshehadthoughtthepleasingnessofitduetotheneatnessandtastewithwhichhedressed。Shehadneverdreamedthatthislurkedbeneath。Itdazzledher。Hisskinwasfairasawoman’s，farmoresatiny，andnorudimentaryhair-growthmarreditswhitelustre。

Thissheperceived，butalltherest，theperfectionoflineandstrengthanddevelopment，gavepleasurewithoutherknowingwhy。

Therewasacleannessandgraceaboutit。Hisfacewaslikeacameo，andhislips，partedinasmile，madeitveryboyish。

Hesmiledashefacedtheaudience，whentheannouncer，placingahandonhisshoulder，said："JoeFleming，thePrideofWestOakland。"

Cheersandhand-clappingsstormedup，andsheheardaffectionatecriesof"Oh，you，Joe！"Menshouteditathimagainandagain。

Hewalkedbacktohiscorner。Nevertoherdidheseemlessafighterthanthen。Hiseyesweretoomild；therewasnotasparkofthebeastinthem，norinhisface，whilehisbodyseemedtoofragile，whatofitsfairnessandsmoothness，andhisfacetooboyishandsweet-temperedandintelligent。Shedidnothavetheexpert’seyeforthedepthofchest，thewidenostrils，therecuperativelungs，andthemusclesundertheirsatinsheaths——

cryptsofenergywhereinlurkedthechemistryofdestruction。ToherhelookedlikeasomethingofDresdenchina，tobehandledgentlyandwithcare，liabletobeshatteredtofragmentsbythefirstroughtouch。

JohnPonta，strippedofhiswhitesweaterbythepullingandhaulingoftwoofhisseconds，cametothecentreofthering。Sheknewterrorasshelookedathim。Herewasthefighter——thebeastwithastreakforaforehead，withbeadyeyesunderloweringandbushybrows，flat-nosed，thick-lipped，sullen-mouthed。Hewasheavy-

jawed，bull-necked，andtheshort，straighthairoftheheadseemedtoherfrightenedeyesthestiffbristlesonahog’sback。Herewerecoarsenessandbrutishness——athingsavage，primordial，ferocious。Hewasswarthytoblackness，andhisbodywascoveredwithahairygrowththatmattedlikeadog’sonhischestandshoulders。Hewasdeep-chested，thick-legged，large-muscled，butunshapely。Hismuscleswereknots，andhewasgnarledandknobby，twistedoutofbeautybyexcessofstrength。

"JohnPonta，WestBayAthleticClub，"saidtheannouncer。

Amuchsmallervolumeofcheersgreetedhim。ItwasevidentthatthecrowdfavoredJoewithitssympathy。

"Goinan’eat’m，Ponta！Eat’mup！"avoiceshoutedinthelull。

Thiswasreceivedbyscornfulcriesandgroans。Hedidnotlikeit，forhissullenmouthtwistedintoahalf-snarlashewentbacktohiscorner。Hewastoodecidedanatavismtodrawthecrowd’sadmiration。Instinctivelythecrowddislikedhim。Hewasananimal，lackinginintelligenceandspirit，amenaceandathingoffear，asthetigerandthesnakearemenacesandthingsoffear，betterbehindthebarsofacagethanrunningfreeintheopen。

Andhefeltthatthecrowdhadnorelishforhim。Hewaslikeananimalinthecircleofitsenemies，andheturnedandglaredatthemwithmalignanteyes。LittleSilverstein，shoutingoutJoe’snamewithhighglee，shrankawayfromPonta’sgaze，shrivelledasinfierceheat，thesoundgurglinganddyinginhisthroat。Genevievesawthelittleby-play，andasPonta’seyesslowlysweptroundthecircleoftheirhateandmethers，she，too，shrivelledandshrankback。Thenextmomenttheywerepast，pausingtocentrelongonJoe。ItseemedtoherthatPontawasworkinghimselfintoarage。

Joereturnedthegazewithmildboy’seyes，buthisfacegrewserious。

Theannouncerescortedathirdmantothecentreofthering，agenial-facedyoungfellowinshirt-sleeves。

"EddyJones，whowillrefereethiscontest，"saidtheannouncer。

"Oh，you，Eddy！"menshoutedinthemidstoftheapplause，anditwasapparenttoGenevievethathe，too，waswellbeloved。

Bothmenwerebeinghelpedintotheglovesbytheirseconds，andoneofPonta’ssecondscameoverandexaminedtheglovesbeforetheywentonJoe’shands。Therefereecalledthemtothecentreofthering。Thesecondsfollowed，andtheymadequiteagroup，JoeandPontafacingeachother，therefereeinthemiddle，thesecondsleaningwithhandsononeanother’sshoulders，theirheadscranedforward。Therefereewastalking，andalllistenedattentively。

Thegroupbrokeup。Againtheannouncercametothefront。

"JoeFlemingfightsatonehundredandtwenty-eight，"hesaid；"JohnPontaatonehundredandforty。Theywillfightaslongasonehandisfree，andtakecareofthemselvesinthebreak-away。Theaudiencemustrememberthatadecisionmustbegiven。Therearenodrawsfoughtbeforethisclub。"

Hecrawledthroughtheropesanddroppedfromtheringtothefloor。

Therewasascuttlinginthecornersasthesecondsclearedoutthroughtheropes，takingwiththemthestoolsandbuckets。Onlyremainedintheringthetwofightersandthereferee。Agongsounded。Thetwomenadvancedrapidlytothecentre。Theirrighthandsextendedandforafractionofaninstantmetinaperfunctoryshake。ThenPontalashedout，savagely，rightandleft，andJoeescapedbyspringingback。Likeaprojectile，Pontahurledhimselfafterhimanduponhim。

Thefightwason。Genevieveclutchedonehandtoherbreastandwatched。ShewasbewilderedbytheswiftnessandsavageryofPonta’sassault，andbythemultitudeofblowshestruck。ShefeltthatJoewassurelybeingdestroyed。Attimesshecouldnotseehisface，soobscuredwasitbytheflyinggloves。Butshecouldheartheresoundingblows，andwiththesoundofeachblowshefeltasickeningsensationinthepitofherstomach。Shedidnotknowthatwhatsheheardwastheimpactofgloveonglove，orgloveonshoulder，andthatnodamagewasbeingdone。

Shewassuddenlyawarethatachangehadcomeoverthefight。Bothmenwereclutchingeachotherinatenseembrace；noblowswerebeingstruckatall。SherecognizedittobewhatJoehaddescribedtoherasthe"clinch。"Pontawasstrugglingtofreehimself，Joewasholdingon。

Therefereeshouted，"Break！"Joemadeanefforttogetaway，butPontagotonehandfreeandJoerushedbackintoasecondclinch，toescapetheblow。Butthistime，shenoticed，theheelofhisglovewaspressedagainstPonta’smouthandchin，andatthesecond"Break！"ofthereferee，Joeshovedhisopponent’sheadbackandsprangclearhimself。

Forabriefseveralsecondsshehadanunobstructedviewofherlover。Leftfootatrifleadvanced，kneesslightlybent，hewascrouching，withhisheaddrawnwelldownbetweenhisshouldersandshieldedbythem。Hishandswereinpositionbeforehim，readyeithertoattackordefend。Themusclesofhisbodyweretense，andashemovedaboutshecouldseethembunchupandwritheandcrawllikelivethingsunderthewhiteskin。

ButagainPontawasuponhimandhewasstrugglingtolive。Hecrouchedabitmore，drewhisbodymorecompactlytogether，andcoveredupwithhishands，elbows，andforearms。Blowsraineduponhim，anditlookedtoherasthoughhewerebeingbeatentodeath。

Buthewasreceivingtheblowsonhisglovesandshoulders，rockingbackandforthtotheforceofthemlikeatreeinastorm，whilethehousecheereditsdelight。Itwasnotuntilsheunderstoodthisapplause，andsawSilversteinhalfoutofhisseatandintensely，madlyhappy，andheardthe"Oh，you，Joe’s！"frommanythroats，thatsherealizedthatinsteadofbeingcruellypunishedhewasacquittinghimselfwell。Thenhewouldemergeforamoment，againtobeenvelopedandhiddeninthewhirlwindofPonta’sferocity。

CHAPTERV

Thegongsounded。Itseemedtheyhadbeenfightinghalfanhour，thoughfromwhatJoehadtoldhersheknewithadbeenonlythreeminutes。WiththecrashofthegongJoe’ssecondswerethroughtheropesandrunninghimintohiscornerfortheblessedminuteofrest。Oneman，squattingonthefloorbetweenhisoutstretchedfeetandelevatingthembyrestingthemonhisknees，wasviolentlychafinghislegs。Joesatonthestool，leaningfarbackintothecorner，headthrownbackandarmsoutstretchedontheropestogiveeasyexpansiontothechest。Withwide-openmouthhewasbreathingthetowel-drivenairfurnishedbytwooftheseconds，whilelisteningtothecounselofstillanothersecondwhotalkedwithlowvoiceinhisearandatthesametimespongedoffhisface，shoulders，andchest。

Hardlyhadallthisbeenaccomplished（ithadtakennomorethanseveralseconds），whenthegongsounded，thesecondsscuttledthroughtheropeswiththeirparaphernalia，andJoeandPontawereadvancingagainsteachothertothecentreofthering。Genevievehadnoideathataminutecouldbesoshort。Foramomentshefeltthatthisresthadbeencut，andwassuspiciousofsheknewnotwhat。

Pontalashedout，rightandleft，savagelyasever，andthoughJoeblockedtheblows，suchwastheforceofthemthathewasknockedbackwardseveralsteps。Pontawasafterhimwiththespringofatiger。Intheinvoluntaryefforttomaintainequilibrium，Joehaduncoveredhimself，flingingonearmoutandliftinghisheadfrombeneaththeshelteringshoulders。SoswiftlyhadPontafollowedhim，thataterribleswingingblowwascomingathisunguardedjaw。

Heduckedforwardanddown，Ponta’sfistjustmissingthebackofhishead。Ashecamebacktotheperpendicular，Ponta’sleftfistdroveathiminastraightpunchthatwouldhaveknockedhimbackwardthroughtheropes。Again，andwithaswiftnessaninappreciablefractionoftimequickerthanPonta’s，heduckedforward。Ponta’sfistgrazedthebackwardslopeoftheshoulder，andglancedoffintotheair。Ponta’srightdrovestraightout，andthegrazewasrepeatedasJoeduckedintothesafetyofaclinch。

Genevievesighedwithrelief，hertensebodyrelaxingandafaintnesscomingoverher。Thecrowdwascheeringmadly。

Silversteinwasonhisfeet，shouting，gesticulating，completelyoutofhimself。AndevenMr。Clausenwasyellinghisenthusiasm，atthetopofhislungs，intotheearofhisnearestneighbor。

Theclinchwasbrokenandthefightwenton。Joeblocked，andbacked，andslidaroundthering，avoidingblowsandlivingsomehowthroughthewhirlwindonslaughts。Rarelydidhestrikeblowshimself，forPontahadaquickeyeandcoulddefendaswellasattack，whileJoehadnochanceagainsttheother’senormousvitality。HishopelayinthatPontahimselfshouldultimatelyconsumehisstrength。

ButGenevievewasbeginningtowonderwhyherloverdidnotfight。

Shegrewangry。Shewantedtoseehimwreakvengeanceonthisbeastthathadpersecutedhimso。Evenasshewaxedimpatient，thechancecame，andJoewhippedhisfisttoPonta’smouth。Itwasastaggeringblow。ShesawPonta’sheadgobackwithajerkandthequickdyeofblooduponhislips。Theblow，andthegreatshoutfromtheaudience，angeredhim。Herushedlikeawildman。Thefuryofhispreviousassaultswasasnothingcomparedwiththefuryofthisone。Andtherewasnomoreopportunityforanotherblow。

Joewastoobusylivingthroughthestormhehadalreadycaused，blocking，coveringup，andduckingintothesafetyandrespiteoftheclinches。

Buttheclinchwasnotallsafetyandrespite。Everyinstantofitwasintensewatchfulness，whilethebreakawaywasstillmoredangerous。Genevievehadnoticed，withaslighttouchofamusement，thecuriouswayinwhichJoesnuggledhisbodyinagainstPonta’sintheclinches；butshehadnotrealizedwhy，until，inonesuchclinch，beforethesnugglingincouldbeeffected，Ponta’sfistwhippedstraightupintheairfromunder，andmissedJoe’schinbyahair’s-breadth。Inanotherandlaterclinch，whenshehadalreadyrelaxedandsighedherreliefatseeinghimsafelysnuggled，Ponta，hischinoverJoe’sshoulder，liftedhisrightarmandstruckaterribledownwardblowonthesmalloftheback。Thecrowdgroaneditsapprehension，whileJoequicklylockedhisopponent’sarmstopreventarepetitionoftheblow。

Thegongstruck，andafterthefleetingminuteofrest，theywentatitagain——inJoe’scorner，forPontahadmadearushtomeethimclearacrossthering。Wheretheblowhadbeenoverthekidneys，thewhiteskinhadbecomebrightred。Thissplashofcolor，thesizeoftheglove，fascinatedandfrightenedGenevievesothatshecouldscarcelytakehereyesfromit。Promptly，inthenextclinch，theblowwasrepeated；butafterthatJoeusuallymanagedtogivePontatheheelofthegloveonthemouthandsoholdhisheadback。

Thispreventedthestrikingoftheblow；butthreetimesmore，beforetheroundended，Pontaeffectedthetrick，eachtimestrikingthesamevulnerablepart。

Anotherrestandanotherroundwentby，withnofurtherdamagetoJoeandnodiminutionofstrengthonthepartofPonta。Butinthebeginningofthefifthround，Joe，caughtinacorner，madeasthoughtoduckintoaclinch。Justbeforeitwaseffected，andattheprecisemomentthatPontawasreadywithhisownbodytoreceivethesnugglinginofJoe’sbody，Joedrewbackslightlyanddrovewithhisfistsathisopponent’sunprotectedstomach。Lightning-

likeblowstheywere，fourofthem，rightandleft；andheavytheywere，forPontawincedawayfromthemandstaggeredback，halfdroppinghisarms，hisshouldersdroopingforwardandin，asthoughhewereabouttodoubleinatthewaistandcollapse。Joe’squickeyesawtheopening，andhesmashedstraightoutuponPonta’smouth，followinginstantlywithahalfswing，halfhook，forthejaw。Itmissed，strikingthecheekinstead，andsendingPontastaggeringsideways。

Thehousewasonitsfeet，shouting，toaman。Genevievecouldhearmencrying，"He’sgot’m，he’sgot’m！"anditseemedtoherthebeginningoftheend。She，too，wasoutofherself；softnessandtendernesshadvanished；sheexultedwitheachcrushingblowherloverdelivered。

ButPonta’svitalitywasyettobereckonedwith。As，likeatiger，hehadfollowedJoeup，Joenowfollowedhimup。Hemadeanotherhalfswing，halfhook，forPonta’sjaw，andPonta，alreadyrecoveringhiswitsandstrength，duckedcleanly。Joe’sfistpassedonthroughemptyair，andsogreatwasthemomentumoftheblowthatitcarriedhimaround，inahalftwirl，sideways。ThenPontalashedoutwithhisleft。HisglovelandedonJoe’sunguardedneck。

Genevievesawherlover’sarmsdroptohissidesashisbodylifted，wentbackward，andfelllimplytothefloor。Thereferee，bendingoverhim，begantocounttheseconds，emphasizingthepassageofeachsecondwithadownwardsweepofhisrightarm。

Theaudiencewasstillasdeath。Pontahadpartlyturnedtothehousetoreceivetheapprovalthatwashisdue，onlytobemetbythischill，graveyardsilence。Quickwrathsurgedupinhim。Itwasunfair。Hisopponentonlywasapplauded——ifhestruckablow，ifheescapedablow；he，Ponta，whohadforcedthefightingfromthestart，hadreceivednowordofcheer。

Hiseyesblazedashegatheredhimselftogetherandsprangtohisprostratefoe。Hecrouchedalongsideofhim，rightarmdrawnbackandreadyforasmashingblowtheinstantJoeshouldstarttorise。

Thereferee，stillbendingoverandcountingwithhisrighthand，shovedPontabackwithhisleft。Thelatter，crouching，circledaround，andtherefereecircledwithhim，thrustinghimbackandkeepingbetweenhimandthefallenman。

"Four——five——six——"thecountwenton，andJoe，rollingoveronhisface，squirmedweaklytodrawhimselftohisknees。Thishesucceededindoing，restingononeknee，ahandtotheflooroneithersideandtheotherlegbentunderhimtohelphimrise。

"Takethecount！Takethecount！"adozenvoicesrangoutfromtheaudience。

"ForGod’ssake，takethecount！"oneofJoe’ssecondscriedwarninglyfromtheedgeofthering。Genevievegavehimoneswiftglance，andsawtheyoungfellow’sface，drawnandwhite，hislipsunconsciouslymovingashekeptthecountwiththereferee。

"Seven——eight——nine——"thesecondswent。

Theninthsoundedandwasgone，whentherefereegavePontaalastbackwardshoveandJoecametohisfeet，bunchedup，coveredup，weak，butcool，verycool。Pontahurledhimselfuponhimwithterrificforce，deliveringanuppercutandastraightpunch。ButJoeblockedthetwo，duckedathird，steppedtothesidetoavoidafourth，andwasthendrivenbackwardintoacornerbyahurricaneofblows。Hewasexceedinglyweak。Hetotteredashekepthisfooting，andstaggeredbackandforth。Hisbackwasagainsttheropes。Therewasnofurtherretreat。Pontapaused，asiftomakedoublysure，thenfeintedwithhisleftandstruckfiercelywithhisrightwithallhisstrength。ButJoeduckedintoaclinchandwasforamomentsaved。

Pontastruggledfranticallytofreehimself。Hewantedtogivethefinishtothisfoealreadysofargone。ButJoewasholdingonforlife，resistingtheother’severyeffort，asfastasoneholdorgripwastornloosefindinganewonebywhichtocling。"Break！"

therefereecommanded。Joeheldontighter。"Make’mbreak！Whythehelldon’tyoumake’mbreak？"Pontapantedatthereferee。

Againthelattercommandedthebreak。Joerefused，keeping，ashewellknew，withinhisrights。Eachmomentoftheclinchhisstrengthwascomingbacktohim，hisbrainwasclearing，thecobwebsweredisappearingfrombeforehiseyes。Theroundwasyoung，andhemustlive，somehow，throughthenearlythreeminutesofityettorun。

Therefereeclutchedeachbytheshoulderandsunderedthemviolently，passingquicklybetweenthemashethrustthembackwardinordertomakeacleanbreakofit。Themomenthewasfree，PontasprangatJoelikeawildanimalbearingdownitsprey。ButJoecoveredup，blocked，andfellintoaclinch。AgainPontastruggledtogetfree，Joeheldon，andtherefereethrustthemapart。AndagainJoeavoideddamageandclinched。

Genevieverealizedthatintheclincheshewasnotbeingbeaten——

why，then，didnottherefereelethimholdon？Itwascruel。Shehatedthegenial-facedEddyJonesinthosemoments，andshepartlyrosefromherchair，herhandsclenchedwithanger，thenailscuttingintothepalmstilltheyhurt。Therestoftheround，thethreelongminutesofit，wasasuccessionofclinchesandbreaks。

NotoncedidPontasucceedinstrikinghisopponentthedeadlyfinalblow。AndPontawaslikeamadman，ragingbecauseofhisimpotencyinthefaceofhishelplessandallbutvanquishedfoe。Oneblow，onlyoneblow，andhecouldnotdeliverit！Joe’sringexperienceandcoolnesssavedhim。Withshakenconsciousnessandtremblingbody，heclutchedandheldon，whiletheebbinglifeturnedandfloodedupinhimagain。Once，inhispassion，unabletohithim，Pontamadeasthoughtolifthimupandhurlhimtothefloor。

"V’ydon’tyoubitehim？"Silversteintauntedshrilly。

Inthestillnessthesallywasheardoverthewholehouse，andtheaudience，relievedofitsanxietyforitsfavorite，laughedwithanuproariousnessthathadinitthenoteofhysteria。EvenGenevievefeltthattherewassomethingirresistiblyfunnyintheremark，andthereliefoftheaudiencewascommunicatedtoher；yetshefeltsickandfaint，andwasoverwroughtwithhorroratwhatshehadseenandwasseeing。

"Bite’m！Bite’m！"voicesfromtherecoveredaudiencewereshouting。"Chewhisearoff，Ponta！That’stheonlywayyoucanget’m！Eat’mup！Eat’mup！Oh，whydon’tyoueat’mup？"

TheeffectwasbadonPonta。Hebecamemorefrenziedthanever，andmoreimpotent。Hepantedandsobbed，wastinghiseffortbytoomucheffort，losingsanityandcontrolandfutilelytryingtocompensateforthelossbyexcessofphysicalendeavor。Heknewonlytheblinddesiretodestroy，shookJoeintheclinchesasaterriermightarat，strainedandstruggledforfreedomofbodyandarms，andallthewhileJoecalmlyclutchedandheldon。Therefereeworkedmanfullyandfairlytoseparatethem。Perspirationrandownhisface。Ittookallhisstrengthtosplitthoseclingingbodies，andnosoonerhadhesplitthemthanJoefellunharmedintoanotherembraceandtheworkhadtobedonealloveragain。Invain，whenfreed，didPontatrytoavoidtheclutchingarmsandtwiningbody。

Hecouldnotkeepaway。Hehadtocomecloseinordertostrike，andeachtimeJoebaffledhimandcaughthiminhisarms。

AndGenevieve，crouchedinthelittledressing-roomandpeeringthroughthepeep-hole，wasbaffled，too。Shewasaninterestedpartyinwhatseemedadeath-struggle——wasnotoneofthefightersherJoe？——buttheaudienceunderstoodandshedidnot。TheGamehadnotunveiledtoher。Thelureofitwasbeyondher。Itwasgreatermysterythanever。Shecouldnotcomprehenditspower。WhatdelightcouldtherebeforJoeinthatbrutalsurgingandstrainingofbodies，thosefierceclutches，fiercerblows，andterriblehurts？

Surely，she，Genevieve，offeredmorethanthat——rest，andcontent，andsweet，calmjoy。HerbidfortheheartofhimandthesoulofhimwasfinerandmoregenerousthanthebidoftheGame；yethedalliedwithboth——heldherinhisarms，butturnedhisheadtolistentothatotherandsirencallshecouldnotunderstand。

Thegongstruck。TheroundendedwithabreakinPonta’scorner。

Thewhite-facedyoungsecondwasthroughtheropeswiththefirstclashofsound。HeseizedJoeinhisarms，liftedhimclearofthefloor，andranwithhimacrosstheringtohisowncorner。Hissecondsworkedoverhimfuriously，chafinghislegs，slappinghisabdomen，stretchingthehip-clothoutwiththeirfingerssothathemightbreathemoreeasily。ForthefirsttimeGenevievesawthestomach-breathingofaman，anabdomenthatroseandfellfarmorewitheverybreaththanherbreastroseandfellaftershehadrunforacar。Thepungencyofammoniabithernostrils，waftedtoherfromthesoakedspongewherefromhebreathedthefieryfumesthatclearedhisbrain。Hegargledhismouthandthroat，tookasuckatadividedlemon，andallthewhilethetowelsworkedlikemad，drivingoxygenintohislungstopurgethepoundingbloodandsenditbackrevivifiedforthestruggleyettocome。Hisheatedbodywasspongedwithwater，dousedwithit，andbottleswereturnedmouth-downwardonhishead。

CHAPTERVI

Thegongforthesixthroundstruck，andbothmenadvancedtomeeteachother，theirbodiesglisteningwithwater。Pontarushedtwo-

thirdsofthewayacrossthering，sointentwasheongettingathismanbeforefullrecoverycouldbeeffected。ButJoehadlivedthrough。Hewasstrongagain，andgettingstronger。Heblockedseveralviciousblowsandthensmashedback，sendingPontareeling。

Heattemptedtofollowup，butwiselyforboreandcontentedhimselfwithblockingandcoveringupinthewhirlwindhisblowhadraised。

Thefightwasasithadbeenatthebeginning——Joeprotecting，Pontarushing。ButPontawasneveratease。Hedidnothaveitallhisownway。Atanymoment，inhisfiercestonslaughts，hisopponentwasliabletolashoutandreachhim。Joesavedhisstrength。HestruckoneblowtoPonta’sten，buthisoneblowrarelymissed。

Pontaoverwhelmedhimintheattacks，yetcoulddonothingwithhim，whileJoe’stiger-likestrokes，alwaysimminent，compelledrespect。

TheytonedPonta’sferocity。Hewasnolongerabletogoinwiththecompleteabandonofdestructivenesswhichhadmarkedhisearlierefforts。

Butachangewascomingoverthefight。Theaudiencewasquicktonoteit，andevenGenevievesawitbythebeginningoftheninthround。Joewastakingtheoffensive。Intheclinchesitwashewhobroughthisfistdownonthesmalloftheback，strikingtheterriblekidneyblow。Hediditonce，ineachclinch，butwithallhisstrength，andhediditeveryclinch。Then，inthebreakaways，hebegantoupper-cutPontaonthestomach，ortohookhisjaworstrikestraightoutuponthemouth。Butatfirstsignofacomingofawhirlwind，Joewoulddancenimblyawayandcoverup。

Tworoundsofthiswentby，andthree，butPonta’sstrength，thoughperceptiblyless，didnotdiminishrapidly。Joe’staskwastoweardownthatstrength，notwithoneblow，norten，butwithblowafterblow，withoutend，untilthatenormousstrengthshouldbebeatensheeroutofitsbody。Therewasnorestfortheman。Joefollowedhimup，stepbystep，hisadvancingleftfootmakinganaudibletap，tap，tap，onthehardcanvas。Thentherewouldcomeasuddenleapin，tiger-like，ablowstruck，orblows，andaswiftleapback，whereupontheleftfootwouldtakeupagainitstappingadvance。

WhenPontamadehissavagerushes，Joecarefullycoveredup，onlytoemerge，hisleftfootgoingtap，tap，tap，asheimmediatelyfollowedup。

Pontawasslowlyweakening。Tothecrowdtheendwasaforegoneconclusion。

"Oh，you，Joe！"ityelleditsadmirationandaffection。

"It’sashametotakethemoney！"itmocked。"Whydon’tyoueat’m，Ponta？Gooninan’eat’m！"

Intheone-minuteintermissionsPonta’ssecondsworkedoverhimastheyhadnotworkedbefore。Theircalmtrustinhistremendousvitalityhadbeenbetrayed。Genevievewatchedtheirexcitedefforts，whileshelistenedtothewhite-facedsecondcautioningJoe。

"Takeyourtime，"hewassaying。"You’vegot’m，butyougottotakeyourtime。I’veseen’mfight。He’sgotapunchtotheendofthecount。I’veseen’mknockedoutandcleanbatty，an’goonpunchingjustthesame。MickeySullivanhad’mgoin’。Puts’mtothematasfastashecrawlsup，sixtimes，an’thenleavesanopening。Pontareachesforhisjaw，antwominutesafterwardMickey’sopenin’hiseyesan’askin’what’sdoin’。Soyou’vegottowatch’m。Nogoin’inan’absorbin’oneofthemluckypunches，now。

Igotmoneyonthisfight，butIdon’tcallitminetillhe’scountedout。"

Pontawasbeingdousedwithwater。Asthegongsounded，oneofhissecondsinvertedawaterbottleonhishead。Hestartedtowardthecentreofthering，andthesecondfollowedhimforseveralsteps，keepingthebottlestillinverted。Therefereeshoutedathim，andhefledthering，droppingthebottleashefled。Itrolledoverandover，thewatergurglingoutuponthecanvastillthereferee，withaquickflirtofhistoe，sentthebottlerollingthroughtheropes。

InallthepreviousroundsGenevievehadnotseenJoe’sfightingfacewhichhadbeenprefiguredtoherthatmorninginthedepartmentstore。Sometimeshisfacehadbeenquiteboyish；othertimes，whentakinghisfiercestpunishment，ithadbeenbleakandgray；andstilllater，whenlivingthroughandclutchingandholdingon，ithadtakenonawistfulexpression。Butnow，outofdangerhimselfandasheforcedthefight，hisfightingfacecameuponhim。Shesawitandshuddered。Itremovedhimsofarfromher。Shehadthoughtsheknewhim，allofhim，andheldhiminthehollowofherhand；butthisshedidnotknow——thisfaceofsteel，thismouthofsteel，theseeyesofsteelflashingthelightandglitterofsteel。

Itseemedtoherthepassionlessfaceofanavengingangel，stampedonlywiththepurposeoftheLord。

Pontaattemptedoneofhisold-timerushes，butwasstoppedonthemouth。Implacable，insistent，evermenacing，neverlettinghimrest，Joefollowedhimup。Theround，thethirteenth，closedwitharush，inPonta’scorner。Heattemptedarally，wasbroughttohisknees，tookthenineseconds’count，andthentriedtoclinchintosafety，onlytoreceivefourofJoe’sterriblestomachpunches，sothatwiththegonghefellback，gasping，intothearmsofhisseconds。

Joeranacrosstheringtohisowncorner。

"NowI’mgoingtoget’m，"hesaidtohissecond。

"Yousurefixed’mthattime，"thelatteranswered。"Nothin’tostopyounowbutaluckypunch。Watchoutforit。"

Joeleanedforward，feetgatheredunderhimforaspring，likeafoot-racerwaitingthestart。Hewaswaitingforthegong。Whenitsoundedheshotforwardandacrossthering，catchingPontainthemidstofhissecondsasherosefromhisstool。Andinthemidstofhissecondshewentdown，knockeddownbyaright-handblow。Ashearosefromtheconfusionofbuckets，stools，andseconds，Joeputhimdownagain。Andyetathirdtimehewentdownbeforehecouldescapefromhisowncorner。

Joehadatlastbecomethewhirlwind。Genevieverememberedhis"justwatch，you’llknowwhenIgoafterhim。"Thehouseknewit，too。Itwasonitsfeet，everyvoiceraisedinafierceyell。Itwastheblood-cryofthecrowd，anditsoundedtoherlikewhatsheimaginedmustbethehowlingofwolves。Andwhatwithconfidenceinherlover’svictoryshefoundroominherhearttopityPonta。

Invainhestruggledtodefendhimself，toblock，tocoverup，toduck，toclinchintoamoment’ssafety。Thatmomentwasdeniedhim。

Knockdownafterknockdownwashisportion。Hewasknockedtothecanvasbackwards，andsideways，waspunchedintheclinchesandinthebreak-aways——stiff，joltyblowsthatdazedhisbrainanddrovethestrengthfromhismuscles。Hewasknockedintothecornersandoutagain，againsttheropes，rebounding，andwithanotherblowagainsttheropesoncemore。Hefannedtheairwithhisarms，showeringsavageblowsuponemptiness。Therewasnothinghumanleftinhim。Hewasthebeastincarnate，roaringandragingandbeingdestroyed。Hewassmasheddowntohisknees，butrefusedtotakethecount，staggeringtohisfeetonlytobemetstiff-handedonthemouthandsenthurlingbackagainsttheropes。

Insoretravail，gasping，reeling，panting，withglazingeyesandsobbingbreath，grotesqueandheroic，fightingtothelast，strivingtogetathisantagonist，hesurgedandwasdrivenaboutthering。

AndinthatmomentJoe’sfootslippedonthewetcanvas。Ponta’sswimmingeyessawandknewthechance。Allthefleeingstrengthofhisbodygathereditselftogetherforthelightningluckypunch。

EvenasJoeslippedtheothersmotehim，fairlyonthepointofthechin。Hewentoverbackward。Genevievesawhismusclesrelaxwhilehewasyetintheair，andsheheardthethudofhisheadonthecanvas。

Thenoiseoftheyellinghousediedsuddenly。Thereferee，stoopingovertheinertbody，wascountingtheseconds。Pontatotteredandfelltohisknees。Hestruggledtohisfeet，swayingbackandforthashetriedtosweeptheaudiencewithhishatred。Hislegsweretremblingandbendingunderhim；hewaschokingandsobbing，fightingtobreathe。Hereeledbackward，andsavedhimselffromfallingbyablindclutchingfortheropes。Heclungthere，droopingandbendingandgivinginallhisbody，hisheaduponhischest，untiltherefereecountedthefataltenthsecondandpointedtohimintokenthathehadwon。

Hereceivednoapplause，andhesquirmedthroughtheropes，snakelike，intothearmsofhisseconds，whohelpedhimtothefloorandsupportedhimdowntheaisleintothecrowd。Joeremainedwherehehadfallen。Hissecondscarriedhimintohiscornerandplacedhimonthestool。Menbeganclimbingintothering，curioustosee，butwereroughlyshovedoutbythepolicemen，whowerealreadythere。

Genevievelookedonfromherpeep-hole。Shewasnotgreatlyperturbed。Herloverhadbeenknockedout。Insofarasdisappointmentwashis，sheshareditwithhim；butthatwasall。

Sheevenfeltgladinaway。TheGamehadplayedhimfalse，andhewasmoresurelyhers。Shehadheardofknockoutsfromhim。Itoftentookmensometimetorecoverfromtheeffects。Itwasnottillsheheardthesecondsaskingforthedoctorthatshefeltreallyworried。

Theypassedhislimpbodythroughtheropestothestage，anditdisappearedbeyondthelimitsofherpeep-hole。Thenthedoorofherdressing-roomwasthrustopenandanumberofmencamein。TheywerecarryingJoe。Hewaslaiddownonthedustyfloor，hisheadrestingonthekneeofoneoftheseconds。Nooneseemedsurprisedbyherpresence。Shecameoverandkneltbesidehim。Hiseyeswereclosed，hislipsslightlyparted。Hiswethairwasplasteredinstraightlocksabouthisface。Sheliftedoneofhishands。Itwasveryheavy，andthelifelessnessofitshockedher。Shelookedsuddenlyatthefacesofthesecondsandofthemenabouther。Theyseemedfrightened，allsaveone，andhewascursing，inalowvoice，horribly。ShelookedupandsawSilversteinstandingbesideher。

He，too，seemedfrightened。Herestedakindlyhandonhershoulder，tighteningthefingerswithasympatheticpressure。

Thissympathyfrightenedher。Shebegantofeeldazed。Therewasabustleassomebodyenteredtheroom。Thepersoncameforward，proclaimingirritably："Getout！Getout！You’vegottocleartheroom！"

Anumberofmensilentlyobeyed。

"Whoareyou？"heabruptlydemandedofGenevieve。"Agirl，asI’malive！"

"That’sallright，she’shisgirl，"spokeupayoungfellowsherecognizedasherguide。

"Andyou？"theothermanblurtedexplosivelyatSilverstein。

"I’mvither，"heansweredtruculently。

"Sheworksforhim，"explainedtheyoungfellow。"It’sallright，I

tellyou。"

Thenewcomergruntedandkneltdown。Hepassedahandoverthedamphead，gruntedagain，andarosetohisfeet。

"Thisisnocaseforme，"hesaid。"Sendfortheambulance。"

ThenthethingbecameadreamtoGenevieve。Maybeshehadfainted，shedidnotknow，butforwhatotherreasonshouldSilversteinhavehisarmaroundhersupportingher？Allthefacesseemedblurredandunreal。Fragmentsofadiscussioncametoherears。Theyoungfellowwhohadbeenherguidewassayingsomethingaboutreporters。

"Youvillgetyournameinderpapers，"shecouldhearSilversteinsayingtoher，asfromagreatdistance；andsheknewshewasshakingherheadinrefusal。

Therewasaneruptionofnewfaces，andshesawJoecarriedoutonacanvasstretcher。Silversteinwasbuttoningthelongovercoatanddrawingthecollaraboutherface。Shefeltthenightaironhercheek，andlookingupsawtheclear，coldstars。Shejammedintoaseat。Silversteinwasbesideher。Joewasthere，too，stillonhisstretcher，withblanketsoverhisnakedbody；andtherewasamaninblueuniformwhospokekindlytoher，thoughshedidnotknowwhathesaid。Horses’hoofswereclattering，andshewaslurchingsomewherethroughthenight。

Next，lightandvoices，andasmellofiodoform。Thismustbethereceivinghospital，shethought，thistheoperatingtable，thosethedoctors。TheywereexaminingJoe。Oneofthem，adark-eyed，dark-

bearded，foreign-lookingman，roseupfrombendingoverthetable。

"Neversawanythinglikeit，"hewassayingtoanotherman。"Thewholebackoftheskull。"

Herlipswerehotanddry，andtherewasanintolerableacheinherthroat。Butwhydidn’tshecry？Sheoughttocry；shefeltitincumbentuponher。TherewasLottie（therehadbeenanotherchangeinthedream），acrossthelittlenarrowcotfromher，andshewascrying。Somebodywassayingsomethingaboutthecomaofdeath。Itwasnottheforeign-lookingdoctor，butsomebodyelse。Itdidnotmatterwhoitwas。Whattimewasit？Asifinanswer，shesawthefaintwhitelightofdawnonthewindows。

"Iwasgoingtobemarriedto-day，"shesaidtoLottie。

Andfromacrossthecothissisterwailed，"Don’t，don’t！"and，coveringherface，sobbedafresh。

This，then，wastheendofitall——ofthecarpets，andfurniture，andthelittlerentedhouse；ofthemeetingsandwalkingout，thethrillingnightsofstarshine，thedeliciousnessofsurrender，thelovingandthebeingloved。ShewasstunnedbytheawfulfactsofthisGameshedidnotunderstand——thegripitlaidonmen’ssouls，itsironyandfaithlessness，itsrisksandhazardsandfierceinsurgencesoftheblood，makingwomanpitiful，notthebe-allandend-allofman，buthistoyandhispastime；towomanhismotheringandcaretaking，hismoodsandhismoments，buttotheGamehisdaysandnightsofstriving，thetributeofhisheadandhand，hismostpatienttoilandwildesteffort，allthestrainandthestressofhisbeing——totheGame，hisheart’sdesire。

Silversteinwashelpinghertoherfeet。Sheobeyedblindly，thedazeofthedreamstillonher。Hishandgraspedherarmandhewasturninghertowardthedoor。

"Oh，whydon’tyoukisshim？"Lottiecriedout，herdarkeyesmournfulandpassionate。

Genevievestoopedobedientlyoverthequietclayandpressedherlipstothelipsyetwarm。Thedooropenedandshepassedintoanotherroom。TherestoodMrs。Silverstein，withangryeyesthatsnappedvindictivelyatsightofherboy’sclothes。

Silversteinlookedbeseechinglyathisspouse，butsheburstforthsavagely：-

"VotdidItellyou，eh？VotdidItellyou？Youvoodhafabruiserforyoursteady！An’nowyournamevillbeinallderpapers！Ataprizefight——vitboy’sclotheson！Youliddlestrumpet！Youhussy！You——"

Butafloodoftearswelledintohereyesandvoice，andwithherfatarmsoutstretched，ungainly，ludicrous，holywithmotherhood，shetotteredovertothequietgirlandfoldedhertoherbreast。

Shemutteredgasping，inarticulatelove-words，rockingslowlytoandfrothewhile，andpattingGenevieve’sshoulderwithherponderoushand。