Having by this time raised a sufficient sum of money, Ben determined to carry out his original project, and challenge Tom Allen to a fight. Such a challenge was written out and sent to the _New York Clipper_, accompanied by one hundred dollars' forfeit. Allen's reply, which appeared in the same journal, stated that he had already matches arranged with McCool and Gallagher; that he was in training for these, and that he did not care to enter into any third match. He therefore refused to accept Ben's challenge. It may be well to add in this connection, since there has been so much said and written about the meetings between Allen and Hogan, that Ben had no knowledge of Allen's intention to fight either Gallagher or McCool at this time, and that he was perfectly sincere in his desire to bring about a fight. The challenge was not made for the sake of bluster, but simply to decide which was the better man. As we shall see further on, a meeting was finally arranged between the two men, and at that time Ben showed that he was by no means afraid of Allen's fists. CHAPTER XII. Ben in St. Louis--First Entree into Parker's Landing--Opens a Free-and-Easy--Trouble with the Authorities. Shortly after the incidents narrated in the preceding chapter, Ben made his way to St. Louis. On his way to that city, and while in Cincinnati, he met with O'Baldwin. Ben had intended, on arriving in St. Louis, to give a sparring exhibition, but O'Baldwin got in ahead on this project, and took the cream of the town. Gallagher was at this time in St. Louis, getting ready for his fight with Allen. When Ben reached the city, he called on Gallagher, and was surprised at the remarkable powers which he possessed. He interested himself in behalf of his fellow pugilist, and did the latter good service in the capacity of trainer. After remaining some time in St. Louis, Ben took a farewell benefit, which was held in Jack Looney's hall. Gallagher, McCool, and a number of others volunteered for the occasion, which proved in every way a success. Leaving St. Louis, Hogan returned East, going to Oneida, N. Y., where he acted as trainer for McLaughlin, who was preparing for his match with Homer Lane. After a month spent in this manner, Ben was seized with a desire to go back to the oil country, and, accordingly, made his way to Petroleum Centre. He reached that town dead broke; borrowed five dollars of Tyler, and struck out for Parker's Landing. When he reached that small but by no means unimportant settlement, our hero had just thirty-five cents in his pocket. His first entree, therefore, in Parker's--for by that name it is familiarly known--cannot be said to have been altogether encouraging. But if his capital in money was limited, Ben had any amount of pluck and energy, and these soon gave him a fair start.