National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-06-15

Col. James Baker, in his Turkey IL Europe,
gives the following account of wrestling
match he witnessed while travelling in the
great plain Of Maccdonis:
81 passed through a very fine town called
Barakli- Dumas In the middle of the plain.
and inhabited principally by Christian Bul.
garians. A great wrestling match was gOinS
on just outside the town, and stopped to wit
ness the sport A circle about thirty yards in
diameter was formed by the men, women and
childrcn-Turks, Bulgarians and n plentiful
supply Of gypsies-all sitting closely packed
together around the circumference. There
was the usual accompaniment of gypsy band,
composed Of drum and clarionet, which
was kept going continuously. A competitor,
stripped to the waist, steps into the ring and
walks around with grand air as he displays
his muscular frame to the admiring gaze of
the bystanders. Presently his antagonist
enters the ring and both competitors shake
hands in goOd-naturcd way, and a lit
tie laughing and chatting goes on. They
then commence walking around, every now
aud then turning in to shake hands again,
until suddenly one pOunccs upon the other to
get the catch and the struggle commences
No kicking is allowed, and the throw must lay
the vanqQished man upon his back, 80 that
both shoulder blades touch the ground at the
same time. The champion was u burly Bulgi-
rian Of herculean strength, when, ut the invita-
slim young fellow Of their Tube entered the
lists against him; but although considering
his youth he made gallant struggle, n quick
throw laid him spawling on his back, to the
evident ehagrin and disappointment of the
gypsy women. Their eyes flashed with anger
as they now held hurried consultation, when
of started a very pretty girl, evidently bound
upon some errand. She soon returned with
one of tho most splendid specimens Of hnmsn-
ity ever saw. II, as Is asserted, there were
princes md dukes among the ancient tribes OF
gypsies who emigrated to Europe, this must
| certainly have been n descendant of one OF
them. His fair escort pushed him intD the ring
| with an air of pride and confidence, as muC h
rs to say, Now you shall see what n gypsy can
| do The young man Is about twenty five years
| of age, and nearly six feet high, with q hand
| sOlne aristocratiG and CHEEKY countcusncc, aud
~ he took of his jacket and handed II TO Lis fair
! one, and thus stood stripped TO the waist
, there was u buzz Of admiration fIOm the whole
crowd He was slightly made, but all was
sinew. Laughingly and half modestly hG
shook his powerful antagonist by his hard
aud then the walk round commenced, the
young gypsy talking and laughing all tie tme
| II seemed as though neither liked to re the
| first to begin when suddenly the RC' garian
| turned sharp upon his antagonist and ind a
iavOntc catch. but, quick as lightning, the
1.-the figure OF the gypsy eluded the grasp, and
a sigL Of relief went Gp nom Lis clsI. The
excitement was Low intense, aud the, young
| girl perfectly quiveTCd with LeTvOus anxiety
MS she watched every movement Of her swain
She would have made splendid pictuIe
They were still walking round and IL seemed
as though the struggle would never begin
when, 10 simultaneous cry went forth iIonl
the whole crowd MS the great Bulgarian lay
sprawling and hali.stunhed upon the ground
The movements OF tho gypsy had hecn sc
| nniIE thuf " inIInsailla In hnkp Ia,
throw was done, but the Bulgarian was turned
almost a sOmeTsault in the air, and came down
with heavy tnud. The young champion
shook him by the hand, lifted the heavy man
high into the ali and then set him on hi
fcet.F