The life of George Stephenson, railway engineer - Lighthouse ...

40 LIFE OF GEORGE STEPHENSON. [chap. iv.
Great was the excitement at Black Callerton when it was
known that George Stephenson had accepted Nelson's chal-
lenge. Everybody said that he would be killed. The villagers
—the young men, and especially the boys of the place, with
whom George was an especial favourite—all wished that he
might beat Nelson, but they scarcely dared to say so. They
came about him while he was at work in the engine-house, to
inquire if it was really true that he was " goin to feight Nelson?"
'-Ay; never fear for me; I'll feight him." And
" feight " him he did. For some days previous to the appointed
day of battle. Nelson went entirely off work for the- purpose of
keeping himself fresh and strong, whereas Stephenson went on
doing his daily work, as usual, and appeared not in the least
disconcerted by the prospect of the affair. So, on the evening
appointed, afler George had done his day's labour, he went into
the Dolly Pit field, where his already exulting rival was ready
to meet him. George stripped, and " went in " like a practised
pugilist—though it was his first and last fight. After a few
rounds, George's wiry muscles and practised strength enabled
him severely to punish his adversary, and to secure for himself
an easy victory.
This circumstance is related in illustration of Stephenson's
personal pluck and courage ; and it was thoroughly characteris-
tic of the man. He was no pugilist, and the very reverse of
quarrelsome. But he would not be put down by the bully of
the colliery, and he fought him. There his pugilism ended;
they afterwards shook hands, and continued good friends. In
after life, Stephenson's, mettle was often as hardly tried, though
in a different way ; and he did not fail to exhibit the same reso-
lute courage, in contending with the bullies of the railway world,
as he had thus early shown in his encounter with Ned Nelson
the fighting pitman of Black Callerton.