For the present farewell! May we soon have a shy, And if I don’t floor you, my Deaf ’un. I’ll try―― So off, without any desire to offend, I go, Remaining, in hopes the best man may win―― “BENDIGO.” September came, and the Deaf ’un was still studying “Paris graces and parley-vous,” seconding Owen Swift in his second fight with Jack Adams at Villiers, on the 5th of September, 1838. The police prosecution by the French authorities sent home the tourist, but meantime Bendy’s friends had been offended by some of his eccentric escapades, and had withdrawn the cash from Peter’s hands. In November Bendigo writes to the editor of _Bell’s Life_, that “he was induced to challenge Burke on the promise of certain friends at Nottingham to stand by him; but they having broken faith with him, he could not go on. His readiness and disposition to fight Burke or any other man continue the same, and, whenever friends will come forward to back him, he will be found glad of the opportunity to prove that there is no unmeaning bounce about him, and that he is neither deficient in courage nor integrity.” Such an appeal had an immediate response. The match was made at Sheffield, Burke’s friends proposing to stake £100 to £80, and a lively interest was soon awakened. On the occasion of the third deposit, on the 27th of November, at Jem Burn’s, in Great Windmill Street, the aristocratic muster was numerous, and five to four was freely laid on Burke, who was present, full of quaint fun, for the Deaf ’un, as well as Bendy, was indeed a “character.” Burke said he had “lowered his price by £50, rather than not ’commodate Mishter Bendys, as he ses his frinds is backards in comin forards.” The articles specified that the battle should take place within thirty-four miles of Nottingham, and the day to be the 15th of January, 1839. These articles were afterwards revised, and the fight postponed to February 12th, the stakes――£100 Burke to £80 Bendigo. The Deaf ’un went into training near Brighton, but removed later to Finchley; Bendigo at Crosby, near Liverpool. Here, on Sunday, January 4th, Bendigo had a narrow escape of his life, as the following paragraph records:――