Улисс
Chapter 9
—Weknowhim,saysthecitizen.Thetraitor’sson.WeknowwhatputEnglishgoldinhispocket.
—Trueforyou,saysJoe.
AndBloomcutsinagainaboutlawntennisandthecirculationoftheblood,askingAlf:
—Now,don’tyouthink,Bergan?
—Mylerdustedthefloorwithhim,saysAlf.HeenanandSayerswasonlyabloodyfooltoit.Handedhimthefatherandmotherofabeating.Seethelittlekippernotuptohisnavelandthebigfellowswiping.God,hegavehimonelastpuckinthewind,Queensberryrulesandall,madehimpukewhatheneverate.
ItwasahistoricandaheftybattlewhenMylerandPercywerescheduledtodontheglovesforthepurseoffiftysovereigns.Handicappedashewasbylackofpoundage,Dublin’spetlambmadeupforitbysuperlativeskillinringcraft.Thefinalboutoffireworkswasagruellingforbothchampions.ThewelterweightsergeantmajorhadtappedsomelivelyclaretinthepreviousmixupduringwhichKeoghhadbeenreceivergeneralofrightsandlefts,theartillerymanputtinginsomeneatworkonthepet’snose,andMylercameonlookinggroggy.Thesoldiergottobusiness,leadingoffwithapowerfulleftjabtowhichtheIrishgladiatorretaliatedbyshootingoutastiffoneflushtothepointofBennett’sjaw.TheredcoatduckedbuttheDublinerliftedhimwithalefthook,thebodypunchbeingafineone.Themencametohandigrips.Mylerquicklybecamebusyandgothismanunder,theboutendingwiththebulkiermanontheropes,Mylerpunishinghim.
