Punch or the London Charivari, Volume 158, March 24, 1920. by Various
page 29 of 59 (49%)
page 29 of 59 (49%)
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Percival left his seat to confer with the shrinking Elfred.
"'E can 'ave the old bath-plug an' welcome, Sir, as far as I'm concerned," said the latter. "Tut, tut!" said Percival. "You must make a fight for it. The honour of the Army is at stake." "I ain't all that set on the honour of the Army," said Elfred. "But 'im being the challenger, shouldn't I be justified in putting the plug in one of my gloves?" "The rules don't provide for such a contingency. Hurry up now and get stripped, and I'll give you twenty francs if you win." Both combatants were warmly received. 'Enery's decorative tattooing was much admired, and Elfred was urgently requested not to spoil the pictures. By desire of the referee the stakes were handed to him--Frederick producing the five francs for 'Enery--and the battle commenced. It was early evident that the Navy intended shock tactics, while the Army favoured a system of elastic defence. A salvo of short-arm jabs by 'Enery was answered by long-range sniping on the part of Elfred, no direct hits being recorded. Towards the end of the round 'Enery attempted to approach under cover of a smoke screen, but action was broken off at the sound of the gong. The second round opened sensationally. Elfred, on the advice of his seconds, was "making use of the ring" when he accidentally collided |
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