The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-03-20
to fight longer and the contest was decided.
WITH SIASIlERS.

he next contest was after lhe approved
Mexican style with SlaShers or knives. A
contest that means death to one, if not both,
the fea,hered gladiators.
ApOOR BLIND MAN.
One of the birds entered for this fight was
the property of blind Mexican beggar known
to all our citizens, who stands on week days
on street corners or on the bridges, holding
out his hand asking of the passers by:
"Five cente for poor bline man." He
squatted down near the entrance Of the pit
and the little boy that acts as his eyes, reported
the progress Of the match, and he gave the
boy the money for the stake, amounting to two
or three dollars; no ripple of excitement
seemed TO pass over his siolid face, and he
seemed as deeply interested in all that was go
ing on as if he had pair of th< best eyes 10
the world. To this poor, sightless man the
cock pit was perfect enjoyment. lie neither
saw the crowd or the fight but in his magma
ton he could picture it in the liveliest colors.
Each bird was taken in charge Of and a knife
placed over one spur, securely It'd, with waxe'l
thread. The fastening on of gait or slasher
is an art, and upon the proper adjustment OF
the instrument greatly depends the success OF
the fight; it must be placed as near as possible
| in the position Of the natural spur, and being
about two inches long is likely to hamper the
bird in his movements. One person holds the
bird while the other adjusts the instrument
with the utmost care.
All being in readiness judge is chosen
and the gladiators are tai ken into the pit, when
4 little preliminary sparring is allowed and
then the birds are turned loose. The fight We
have Just mentioned between the blind mans
bird and some other, rcsulted.in favor of the
bcggar, who received the money with apparent
philosophic temper; his bird was hurt
but not killed, while the other
was killed. The killing of a chicken
| in this style is not much worse than wringing
| his neck, while he meets his death in the pur
suit of natural instinct, as ii is plain game
cock would rather fight than eat.
DISTINGUISHED ARRIVAL.
!
was to make up the chief contest of the
day, was announced, and as he walked into
the pit, was the center of circle Of admiring
friends. A pair of scales were brought out
and the birds put on to be weighed, when it
was found that one of the birds was heavier
than agreed upon, and the match was declared
off. This was great disappointment, and
another match was made up to be fought with
gahs. One Of the birds was a dark re game.
the other blue pyle. The battle was an
citing one; the blue pyle was wounded SER
lously in the first attack, but being true game,
would not give up, and while unable to stand,
still fought without sign Of surrender. The
excitement became intense and was interrupt
ed by the cries Of the crowd, there being sew
eral hundred dollars bet on the result.
| A FIST FIGHT.
| AT last the holders Of the chickens became
involved in dispute about some rule of the
pit, and the next thing was rough ndtum-
bic in the ring, which was soon over, land peace
and good humor restored. The birds had
been forgotten, and had to be picked up and
cared for. The fight was decided over, and
the battle given to the bird that received the
least punishment, although the defeated one
remained game, and in a short while was
Growing Justify from his corner.
| ANOTHER CAFE FIGHT.
| Another match was made, and after a sharp
conflict one of the birds was killed.
| DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
| The use of gafls is an innovation upon the
old Mexican style, and to illustrate the differ
ence Of opinion on this point we asked an old
Mexican who had been betting on all the
fights, how much he had won, he replied, 81
am loser, lost on the last fight, this Ameri-
can way of fighting is no good, the Mexican
plan is the best"
From beginning to end the cockpit present
ell scene that was full of excitement and
fruitful of the study of human nature. That
such performance is run in open day on
public thoroughiare of our city on Sundays
may be text for 4 chapter on public morals,
we leave the chapter to the public; we have
given the text.
The friends of Mr.. L. +. Ludwig, who
was ncarcerated as lunatic, are en- route to
convey him home. Mr.. Ludwig, who is SUI