Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-01-23
Casa Ceeks aad Yankee Coeks- q
FROM TRAvKLLINs MEMS. M. ,. n.


i 1t is we'll known that the Span,
iards are greatly addicted to cocE
hgting- 10 short, deprive them o.
their cockpit and their "Plaza de-
Doros" (bullring,) and they would b.
much more likely to revolt than al
any oppression of the Government.
While | was in Trinidad de Cuba, in
April last, ! was told Of very ludi.
crous scene that occurred in the
cockpit in that city. II should be
understood that cock fighting is a
very popular and fashionable amuse-
ment, and that gambling on the re-
suit Of fight is carried to an extra.
ordinary 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 a very dim
inuiive and naked appearance.-
They are never allowed to fight
with 'gaffS but use their natural
spurs, which are sharpened to a
nicely, and they fight with COOL
ness and care which indicates how
carefully they have been trained.
An American Captain Of vessel,
looking at fight that had been some
time prolonged, at length burst out
with ii-4 -l-i 0'---
"Get out with such birds as them:
they amt bigger than a tom.tit and
amt worth curse, any how! Them
are some miserable Cuba cocks / reck-
onl I've got on board Of my ship q
genuine Yankee bird, that'll lick
any three or four of your miserable
cocks before you could say beans,
and I'll bet high on it, tooI' .
A bet Of fifty ounces (SS50) was
instantly offered on the Captains
proposition, who, notwithstanding
the remonstrances of his friends, put
up the money, and said he would be
thar, sure, and give all such small fry
cocks al hand particular thunderr'
Now, be il understood, the Cap
tain had an old grey eagle on board
his ship, and his first order was not
to give it anything to eat for the next
twenty-four hours. He also stripped
the eagle Of all its plumage, causing
the old fellow 10 feel decidedly
ashamed Of himself.
The day Of trial arrived; the cock
pit was crowded to see the great
trial Of one bird against threel-
The Captain arrived in time, with
his bird under his arm. .., |!
"Who pits your cock, Captainl"
"Whol Well rather think I'll
attend to that business myself" said
he, stepping over into the ring.
The old eagle seemed ashamed Of
the company he was in, and did not
look very courageous; and as they ex-
amined the Yankee cock, many were
the winks, side gIances ard mods ex-
changed among the Spaniards, for
excepting only his size, there was
not anything very encouraging in
The old eagles appearance. He was
wretchedly poor, and they also dis
covered that he had no spursl
"Why, Captain" said they, "your
bird has no spurs"
"Not the first spurI" said he, "but
he's worse than a wild cat where he
scratches or bites; so go aheadI"
Three noble looking game chick
ems were now brought in, and the
betting commenced. Everything Of
'ered by the Captain or his friends,
were eagerly taken up by the Dons.
The Captain it was observed, took
Ill the bets that he could, and when
Iuiet was restored, he gently palted
he old eagle, and as he put it into
he ring, where the game cocks
we're strutting and Growing, he
Snow, 60 it, old fellow, for the
lonor OF your cOuntryI Give 'em
,lazesr' l.
The eagle stood still in the centre /
f the ring, cooked his head one side, !
nd seemed 10 be eyeing the game lit G
le fellows that were advancing to- {
Yards him, but he stirred notl Al I
sngth the chicken made a dash at !
i'm, and doubtless gave him a sharp {
low, for, with-a kind of wild scream
he old bird started, took one glance
[ the chicken, pounced upon il, and +,
With its claws and hooked bill tore il Il
Il to pieces; and, 10 the horror and {
stonishment OF the Spaniards, began f
D eat itl The second shared the
ate of the flrst, and so would the "
bird, had it not been Withdrawn by "
he enraged and mortified Spaniards, e
rho had already lost two valuable Il
lids by very summary process
IS soon as the Captain was declared =
inner, he suached up his bird, COL ! !
'cted his bets and strobe to the DOOR "
here he turned and addressed the i,
swildered crowd i
"Look here, Dons," said he, otis "
y opinion that the next time you $,