Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-09-05
The Yankee Cock Fighter.

| 1t is well known that the Spaniards are greatly
addicted to Cock 6ghting-in short, deprive them
of their cockpit, and that " Plaza del Toros,'
to revolt than at any oppression of the govern
ment. While was in Trinidad de Cuba, in April
last was told of ludlcrous scene that occurred
in the cockpit In that city 1t should be under
stood that cock fighting is very fashionable and
popular amusement, and that gambling, on the re-
suit of fight, is carried to an extraordinary height
Their birds are very small, and being deprived
Of all their feathers except those on the wings, and
two or three straight ones in the TAIL they present
very diminutive and naked appearance. They
never are allowed to fight with gaffs,' but use
their natural spurs, which are sharpened to nice
ty, and they fight with GOODNESS and care that in.
dica,e how carefully they have been trained.
An American captain of vessel looking at a
fight that had been some time prolonged, al length
burst out with
Get out with such birds as them they aint
bigger than tom TIT, and amt worth curse, any
how Them some poor miserable Cuba
chicks, reckon I've got on board Of my ship a
genuine Yankee bird, tha,ll lick any three or four
Of your miserable cocks before you could say beans
and I'll bet high on it too"
bet of fifty 'ounces" ($s5O) was instantly Of
fered on the captain proposition, who, notwith-
standing the remonstrances of his friends put up
the money, and said he "would be thar sure.
and give all such small fry cocks at had, partcu-
lar thunder Now, let it be understood, that the
captain had old "grey eagle on board his ship,
and his first order was not to give it anything to
eat for the next "a hours. He also stripped the
eagle of all its plumage save the wings and or 3
tail feathers, causing the old fellow to feel decd
edly ashamed of himself The day of trial arrived;
the k-pit was crowded to see the great trial OF
one brid against three. The captain arrived in
I time with his bird under his arm.
Who pills your cock, Captain was asked.
Who well, rather think I'll attend to that
business myself said he, and stepped over into
the ring. The old eagle seemed ashamed of the
company he was in. and did not look very cour-
ageous and as they examined the Yankee cock,
many were the winks, side glances, and mods ex-
changed among the Spaniards, for excepting only
his size, there was not any thing very encourag-
ing in the old eagles appearance. He was
wretchedly poor, and they also discovered that he
had no spurs
Why, Captain, said they, your bird has no
spurs
Not the first spur said he but he's worse
than wild cat where he scratches or bites, SO 90
ahead
Three noble looking game chickens were now
brought in, and the betting commenced. Every
thing offered by the Captain or his friends was
eagerly taken up by the Dons. The Captain, it was
observed, took all the bets that he could, and when
quiet was restored he gently palted the old eagle,
and, as he pu, it into the ring where the game
cocks were srutting and Growing, he said, Now
60 it, old fellow, for the honor Of your country -
Give 'em blazes
The eagle stood still in the centre of the ring
cooked his head on one side, and seemed to be
eyeing the little game fellows that were advance
ing towards him, but he STIRRED not At length
the chicken made dash at him, and doubtless
gave him sharp blow, for, with kind of wild
scream, the old bird started took glance at the
chicken, pounced upon it, and with its claws and
hook bill tore it all to pieces; and to the horror and
| Vi OPdHidioS, ocBah w 0o'
| The second cock shared the fate of the first, and
so would the third. had it not been withdrawn by
the enraged and mortified Spanard, who had al
ready lost two valuable birds by very summary
process.
As soon as the Captain was declared winner
he snatched up his bird, collected his bets, and
strobe towards the door, where he turned and ad-
dressed the bewdered crowd.
Look here, Dons,' said he, it's my opinion that
the next time you fight Yankee COCK you'll
know that he's bird that always licks J" and
slapping bis well filled pockets. the Captain and
his Giends withdrew, leaving the Cuba cock-fght-
ers in pleasing state Of wonderment.