Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-29
Miscellansous.
WRESTLING IN MACEDONIA.

Col. James Baker. in his Turkey in
Europe, gives the following account of a
wrestling match he witnessed while tray
erslng the great plain OF Macedonia:
81 passed through a very fine town
called Barakli-Duman, in the plain. and
inhabited principally by Christian Bulga-
rans. A great wrestling match was go-
Ing on just outside the town, and stopped
to witness the sport. A circle about 80
yards in diameter was formed by the men,
women, and children-Turks, Bulgarians,
and plentiful supply OF gypsies-all sit
ting closely packed together round the
circumference. There was the usual ac-
compartment of gypsy band, composed
OF Il drum and clarionet, which was
kept going continuously. A competitor,
stripped to the waist, steps into the ring
and walks round with grand air as he
displays his muscular frame to the admir-
Ing gaze Of the by-standers. Presently
his antagonist enters the ring, and both
competitors shake hands in good natur-
ed way, and lttle laughing and chatf-
ing goes on. They then commence walk
ing round, every now and then turning in
to shake hands again. until suddenly one
pounces upon the other to get the catch
and the struggle commences. No kick
ing is allowed, and the throw must lay the
vanqushed man upon his back, so that
both shoulder blades touch the ground at
the same time. The champion was bur-
ly Bulgarian of herculean strength, when
at the invitation of some black-eyed gyp-
sy girls, fine but slim young fellow of
their tribe entered the lists against him;
but, although considering his youth he
made gallant struggle, quick throw
laid him sprawlug on his back to the ev-
ident chagrin and disappointment of the
gypsy women. Their eyes flashed with
anger as they now held hurried con-
sullation, when off started a very pretty
girl evidently bound upon some errand.
She soon returend with one OF the most
splendid specimens of humanity |
ever saw. IT, as is asserted, there were
princes and dukes among the ancient
tribe OF gypsies who emigrated to Europe
this must certainly have been descendant
of one OF them. His fair escort pushed
him into the ring with an air of pride and
confidence, as much as to say, Now you
shall see what gypsy can do The
young man was about 20 years of age,
and nearly six feet high, with IA handsome,
aristocratc, and cherry countenance, and
as he took off his jacket and handed it to
his fair one, and thus stood stripped to
the waist, there was a buzz OF admira-
tion from the whole crowd. He was
slightly made. but all was sinew. Laugh
ingly, and half modestly, he shook his
powerful antagonist by his hand, and
then the walk round commenced, the
young gypsy talking and laughing all the
time. 1t seemed as though neither liked
to be the first to begin; when suddenly
the Bulgarian turned sharp upon his an
tagon ST, and tried fayoritc catch, but
quick as lightning the 1.-THE figure of the
gypsy eluded the grasp, and sigh of re-
llel went up from his clan. The excite
ment was now intense, and the young girl
perfectly quivored with nervous anxiety
as she watched every movement OF her
swain. She would have made splendid
picture. They were still walking round.
and it seemed as though the struggle
would never begin, when 10! simultane-
Gus cry went forth from the whole crowd
as the great Bulgarian lay sprawling and
hali-stunned upon the ground. The move-
ments ot the gypsy had been so quick
that it was impossible to say how the
throw was done, but the Bulgarian was
turned almost Il somersau.t IN the air,
and came down with Il heavy tnud. The
young champion shook him by the hand.
lifted the heavy man high into the air, aud
then set him ON his feet.