The decision, of course, produced a great uproar among the losers; and, on Bendigo coming up to have it confirmed, Paddock, who had completely lost his temper, and while he was not offering the slightest resistance, hit him down almost at the feet of the referee. Thus ended this most unsatisfactory battle, with little credit to Bendigo, although strictly in accordance with the 14th rule of the Ring――“That a blow struck when a man is thrown or down shall be deemed foul.” There were those, of course, who repudiated the decision of the referee, and who, perhaps, without the same opportunity of seeing the real state of the men, considered that Bendy was not actually on the ground. There was not the slightest doubt, however, that he was seated on terra firma, with both his arms spread out, and his legs flat; and in this position Paddock, in the absence of that caution which the referee had so repeatedly recommended, foreseeing what would happen, committed the fatal mistake which ended in his chances being put out of court. It was thought by some that he struck foul for the express purpose of terminating his labours. The confusion which followed was immense. The friends of Paddock were, of course, clamorous, and highly incensed at the disappointment of their hopes. There was, however, no help for it; the decision was strictly in accordance with rule, and although certainly mortifying could not have been otherwise if the laws were to be obeyed, added to which, Paddock had been over and over again cautioned against suffering his temper to get the better of his judgment. It is said that his seconds urged him to go in; this might be the case, but they should also have impresed upon him――if he were capable of guidance――what must be the sure result of intemperance, on which Bendigo and his coadjutors no doubt relied. However provoking it might be for Bendigo to get down to avoid mischief――too much the practice of pugilists of modern times――in Bendigo’s case might be justified by the superior strength and length of his antagonist. It does not follow that the breach of a clear rule is to be overlooked. Indeed, the reader can hardly fail to perceive that the referee was slow to decide against Paddock where he had any excuse for palliating his errors. These were considerations, however, which did not weigh with the angry party; they followed the referee out of the ring with volumes of abuse, and finally one of the gang (Long Charley Smith, of Birmingham) stealthily came behind him, and with a bludgeon dealt him a terrific blow on the back of the head, which for a moment paralysed him. Fortunately Tom Spring, who was behind, and heard the blow, turned round to prevent a repetition of the cowardly assault