Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-10-08
From the Baltimore Minerva and Emerald.


From the BsItimere Minerva and Emerald.
The Virginia Game Cock.-It was
in the year b, that l wa, pcund for |
Havana, in the brig Evening Star,
when we had lost sight of The Capes,
that large Eagle lii upon our yard |
arm. The sailors seeing him let him
remain until after dark. when one Of
the men taking large bag with him,
out upon the yard, and succeeded in
ilingiug il over him, so as TO prevent
bis biting, and tying the bag at one
end, secured him until The following
morning, when he was taken from the
bag and his wings clipped, and trim
med in such manner as to prevent
his escape. He was always fed we'll
by the men in the fercastle, and at last
became quite domesiicated, and was a
great favoriie of the captain. He
played great many tricks to the grea,
annoyance of the pigs on board; for
any thing in the pigs mess he would
have, if be took liking to use: he was
the terror OF his bristly companions 10
such degree, that il pig showed his
snout on The quarter deck, he was sure
TO go the whole hog on him. This
very much pleased The captain; for
when pigs are let loose on board the
ship they are very troublesome.
The day after we arrived at Hava
ma, the captain, with several more
Americans, visited q cock pit to have
some sport. The captain bet several
tim.s, but invariably lost; at length he
| offered 10 bet five hundred dollars, tina,
he had q Virginia game cock on board
tina, would Kill any cock on The IsInnd.
OF coarse he was soon taken up, aud
they pitched for the fight, which was
TO be three days after. Accordingly,
on leaving the pit, he let his comp, =
ions into The secret, aud proposed 10
them to go sDacks, aud throw in to
| make up the bet The captain also
wen, round to the American captains
in the port, and told them the hoax.
advising them TO BET on the Virginia
game cock, if they wanted TO win a
stake or two. The captain then return
ed on board, and had Inc eagle trim
med as game cocks generally are for
a fight; all his feathers about the neck
Which are called the COW feather OF a
chicken. IN consequence OF their let
ting them fall when they are beaten,
or, as il is termed cowed. He then
had little more trimmed oil bis wings,
and in fine distigured him in such
manner, that very few could have told
il was an eagle He was then cooped
and put upon short allowance, so as
TO whet his appetite for the coming
battle.
The news spread all over Havana,
and many liocked to see Il e fight be.
tween the Virginia and Spanish cocks,
and bets were made TO considerable
amount When The day of battle
came, the eagle was conveyed 10 the
scene OF action in the same bag in
which he was caught The time OF
pttlng the cocks srrived, and Two men
stepped cut who were selected 10 pi,
the cocks; for neither party were per
United to pit their own chickens; the
man on the opposite side produced one
OF the large Spanish breed, and fixed
the heels on him. The man who was
to pit the captains cock, was about
preparing large pair of heels, when
the captain told him not TO trouble him
self, for he fought his cock without
gat!s The captains bird was taken
from The sack, and was received with
surprise by he beholders; bot the Span.
iard said his cock would gsff him The
first fly. The Spanish cock made
fly at the eagle aud pricked him with
his heels pretty snartly, which raised
his ierociiy, which was very high be-
lo'e for want Of food-he cast look
of dlsdain on his adversary, and the
next hy the game Spaniard made at
him, he seized him with his talons hv
the breas, and wing, and in an Instant
tore him to pieces. The fame of the
Virginia game cock was raised SO high.
that the captain, before he left the place
sold him for all amount Of money equal
TO the bet. SPUN YARN.