The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-04-11

bIActical joke was played near.
hhirty years ago at a cooking main
"a Havana, by some sailors belonging
to an American man-of-war. The sail
ors had been betting and losing, day
after day, at the cock pit, which was
the amusement that they most affect.
ed, until they were all left without a
cent. In that plight the sailors were
when the man-ofwar was ordered off
to San Francisco A humber of months
afterwards the vessel returned to Ha-
vana and the Jack Tars had fully
matured a scheme for vengeance.
Drawing all Of their pay and borrow
ing all the money they could in addi.
zion, at the first shore-leave they start
ed for the cock pit, carrying with them
their golG and a bag, about which
they preserved great deal Of mys.
terry. Some Of the ships officers sur
missing that something was in tie
wind, followed, but not even to them !
was the sailors secret divulged. Scarce.
ly had they reached the pit when an
excited Spauiard sprang into the lit
tie arena, where battle had just end
ed. Under his left arm he carried a
magnificent game cock, in his right
hand he hourished bag of doubloons,
and he yelled forth challenge on be-
half of his bird against anything that
wore feathers.
No other challenger could have
been half so welcome to the sailors,
for during their former unhappy ex.
-perience he had been their 6ete NOR,
raking in their gold pieces almost as
fast as shcy could bet them. His YER
bose and grandiloquent defiance was
staked, and the Americans shook their
champion out of the mysterious bag.
A nondescript creature it was, with
great, solid body, roughly covered
with chicken feathers and tar, its
wings and tail clipped, its head broad
and adorned with keen curved beak,
with long, sharp talons at the ends of
its toes, instead of ga6s upon its legs.
Despite its strange halt disguise, the
officers recognized it at once as an
American eagle. But the Spaniards
knew nothing about it, and the one
who had made the match was furious.
deeming himself insulted by the pit.
ling of such a miserable looking crea.
ture agairst his splendid fowl. The
alcalde ordered, however, that the
Sight should take place, according to
the terms of the challenge, and the
Senior tossed his bird into the pit. It
was ready to fight of course, for
game-cock of good blood would not
hesitate to attack bird as big as the
fabled roc. So, the first notice the
a american game chicken" as the
sailors had christened their bird, re
ceived Of the presence Of an enemy
WAS fierce attack. He calmly look
ed down upon the game cock strut
ting threateningly before him. The
sailors were not without anxiety lest
the keen galfs might settle their eagle
Before he got warmed up to his work,
but fear was quickly dispelled. The
game cock dashed forward again. In
less than second the Spanards wit
nessed an astounding sight The
american chicken" placidly stretch
ea out one great claw, seized his an
lagonist by the head, drew him mp,
Apdb applying the other claw to his
body, tore his head off with single
fall. Then he proceeded to eat him.
A storm of imprecations and shouts
'sf establishment rent the air, but the
skilors were too well armed and too
Numerous for the Spaniards, and so
'ney got their money and returned
Nboard ship, laden with more gold
nan they ever defore had, and carry.
lHg their champion in triumph.