Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1847-11-20
rrou, cen. wcoIs Headquarters.
Especial Correspondence Of the Picayune.]
CAMP BuENA VisTA, Oct. 3, lS47.


CAMP BuENA visrA, Oct. 3, ls47.
- a. - |
As I have confessed the cape and acknow. |
lodged that have visited the cockpit. I may
az we'll give you a little insight into one, al
though il may be somewhat mai a propcs after
describing a church. Knowing that the good
Pad'c Darro was In the habit of fighting cocks
"n Sunday, thought it would be perfectly safe
for poor sinner like me to 20 and look on and
accordingly, about 4 o'clock, went to the
place, in company with friend. There was
small congregation outside Of MexicaDs and col.
diers discussing the merits Of a very rum look.
ing old cock who had the appearance Of having
seen the elephant in more than one main As
soon as we entered the house, in the rea, Of
which was the pit, furious Growing in all
sorts Of notes and from aIl sorts Of tethered
cocks. announced that bright Chsnticleer pro-
claimed not the dawn exactly. but that
'his soul was in atins anG eager for the Fray
We entered the yard in which was the pit-a
circle Of ten or twelve teet in diameter, sur.
rounded by a wall couple Of feet high. Out.
eide of this were three rows Of rough beams,
ons above another. supported at each end by
square pile Of ddobes serving as seats for the
spectators. Tetbcred by the leg in oil direc.
,ous we're cocks of all sorts. growing and kick.
ing and trying 10 break loose and ee. at each
other there were red cocks and brindle cocks
grey cocks and black cocks, and what 10 techni.
ca,Iy termed a hen cock---tbat is q hen cock
who iuherts all the belligcrent propensities of
the male bird besides, possessing the accom-.
plishment of being able to Icy eggs-esch one
evidently believing himself to DO cock Of the
walk The bipeds were quite - much Of a
motley set as the birds. many Of them evidently
o, what is termed in sporting parance Of the
dunghil Sreed'--excep,ing, OF course. the wor
.hy Padre Darro. After great deal Of chat.
fling and talking, two cocks were pit,ed and
grey and red, and the gaffs, narrow blades Of
steel, scimetar shaped, and abont three inches
long, sharp as razor. were fixed upon their
legs. Some wag, seeing the padre, asked an
officers colored servant named Columbus, who
was present, if the priest performed service OH
the occasion, to which tho witty namesake Of
the great dscoverer replied: NO. sir, don't
think they do, unless be does ii atore the cocks
is pted'
The sheaths of the gaffs were removed and at
i, they went, but after few paeses the grey
cock received ole or two blows and ran, where.
upon the padre cracked him over the head with
his cane, stretching him lifeless. This is the
usual custom, believe, with running bird;
The old adage-'I1e who fights and runs away
will live to fight another day. not holding good
in cock fighting. After tedious wait and more
growing and talking, my female friend the hen.
cock. was p,ted against big red rooster and
At it they went The odds were in favor Of
the he one, but the hen soon exhibited bottom
and proved that she was up to trap by dealing
the old 'un several severe blows. He crouched
down once as if begging pardon for his presump
ton. whereupon the knowing 'uns' cried out
that the 'she'un had him. ane the two combat.
rants commenced picking up pebbles from the
ground, each watching the opportunity to get
in the FIRE, lick when its adversary off it's guard.
At last The hen saw a favorable opportunity
and went into her opponent like thousand of
brick, and dashed her gaf into his right leg. cut.
ting the tenions so that it became perfectly pow.
arless. She then dealt her blows left and right
ill he fell down exhausted and springing upon
him, she looked down upon her PROSTATE foe
for an instant and then gave him q couple of
feelens as Richard always does King Henry af
for he has pinned him, with the request that he
will go to the devil and tell him that he had Ri.
chard's pass. The poor rooster evidently thought
that the hen was adding insult to injury, and ut.
tered a cry upon receiving the last two digs as
much as to say don't hit fellow when he's
down This was signal to take off the hen.
The poor cock was held up lscerated aad bleed.
lug, but before his owner, whose face was sadly
elongated, could take of his gaf, the poor vic.
,im had hopped the twig.' At this stage Of
The game left, as it began to rain pretty sharp.
ly. Yours, truly, SE.D.