That ended the conversation for the time being, Ben agreeing to meet Cummings the next day. What troubled our hero was not the fear of fighting Cummings, but the want of money to put up for the match. By good luck, he happened to fall in that same day with Perkins, California Jack, and one or two other sporting men, and to them he made known his wants. Perkins was desirous of seeing what Ben could do, and the party accordingly adjourned to a gymnasium, where Hogan gave a specimen of his pugilistic skill. "I'll go my pile on that man!" said Perkins, when Ben had finished. In this way he secured good backers, and was ready to fight for any reasonable sum. According to agreement, he met Cummings next day. "Look here," said Ben, who wanted to get at once down to business, "you say that you are ready and anxious to fight Hogan?" "That's what I say," answered Cummings. "Well, now, suppose Hogan was to come in here now," (they were in the Arcade saloon at the time) "would you go out and fight him?" "I would," was the answer. "All right," said Ben. "I am the gentleman in question, and I will fight you for five hundred dollars, or one hundred dollars, or a chew of tobacco, if you like! We'll drive out of town now with a few friends and settle the whole business. What do you say?" Cummings, upon finding himself face to face with the man whom he had been boasting he could whip, began to grow a little white about the gills. He professed, however, to be willing to accept Ben's proposal, but instead of doing this he started off and got out a warrant for Hogan's arrest on a charge of engaging in a prize fight. Ben had very little trouble in getting released from custody, but he left Rochester thoroughly disgusted with Cummings. CHAPTER X. The Gymnasium Business--Life in Rochester--First Meeting of Hogan and Tom Allen--A Disgraceful Affair. Our hero's next exploit was in Geneva, which town he visited for the purpose of meeting Dempsey, a local pugilist of some reputation. It was arranged that a sparring match between the two should take place, so that Dempsey's friends might decide whether they were willing to back their man against Hogan. The exhibition was very largely attended, and excited a good deal of interest. When the men made their appearance they were greeted with applause, and their movements were closely watched. Ben had made up his mind that he would let Dempsey get the best of the match, in order that a fight might be brought about. This little game would probably have worked but for the fact that there were some among the spectators who knew Ben, and knew also what he could do. When these friends saw Hogan playing off, and permitting himself to be knocked down by Dempsey, they began to cry out: "Hold on, Hogan. That won't do!"