The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1883-12-21
SPORT FOR STUDENTS.
A Cockpit In Harvard---Battle of
Gamo Fowls in a College
Boys Room.
Boston Globe.l

~ A-o eNDlo%I VI AAhIa
anticipation end speculation. Both birds
were known to have fought several times,
and had been bought by their respective
owners expressly for this fight The one
known as Dandy was owned by a peculiar
specimen Of a student. whose every thought
and purpose centered upon contests of this
nature. He was evidently the ringleadsr,
and probably the only one present who en-
tered into the sport with genuine enthusiasm.
He was nervous and excitable, and took every
advantage allowed by the rules to benefit his
bird The hosts bird was called Jim, and was
at a slight disadvantage In the betting, the
proportion being about IS TO "a on Dandy.
the fight was being contested
stubbornly and was waxing hotter. Several
suokas had taken effect on each combataut
and the white sheet was literally s~prinkled
with blood and feathers. Every now and
then, as one bird drove tho other across the
sheet, there was a stampede of students to
and corners As the birds be-
gan 70 show signs Of weakness both hackers
were quick to take advantage OF tho rule per.
hitting them to give the birds a breathing.
spell, Dandys owner being particularly
Jealous in his pets behalf Dandy was max.
Ing a vigorous, offensive fight but Ben -
his hacker, had money and reputation at
stake, and felt that he could not afford 30
make any concessions Tho cocks had fought
desperately for several minutes after ono rest,
and Ben grow nervous.
brace up, you sluggerlr he exclaimed.
savagely, addressing his bird, "bracs up, or
I'll eat you rawr"
This threat had no effect, for both birds
ceased ho5tllties a moment and stood slarina
at each other, each ons onivering with excite
ment aud fatigue. Ben instantly commenced
counting the seconds.
Zone two Lhraa Eaur aro 81 -. ~ l..
shouted, skipping three numbers and ssiztnz
his bind In his arms.
Not a full count" objected Tommy T..
picking up jim; but while they disputed both
birds gained the desired rest The Eight was
evidently against Jim, and Tommy and his
friends began to look Departing. Suddenly
a heavy knock ounde at the outer door of
the room Every one turned pale and
embl Each thought the proctor had
heard the racket. Ten frightened young men
rushed into the bedrooms and locked them
selves In, while Tommy and Ben coolly bu
quickly caught up the birds and dumped on
in the coal closet and the other In the bottom
of a book case. Then Ben hastily rolled up
the sheet while Tommy vent TO the door
He opened it deliberately, and upon the ears
OF all fell the words:
I've been a-knocking at your door, MIR.
T, full Ave minutes; l just called for the
wash
20, bother the wnsh,n growled the host
call to morrow morning" and he slammed
the door, and everybody re-entered the
battle-ground The momentary damper upon
the evenings pleasure was soon forgotten. as
the birds were again breasted. 1t soon be-
came evident that a few moments mon
would finish Jim. but with Jim's decreasing
strength Tom grew more Interested, and
finally danced over the carpet fairly wild.
go it, you dogon'd coon; give him one be.
hind the ear" Then, as he saw the pocr
birds struggles with his own weakness he
added, in u tone of contrition: mo, you pool
old cuss, you're a game stag; II YOU'RE licked
it's not the fault of your pluck
While Tom was wrapped In gloomy do
SPAR, Ben and his hackers were correspond
ingly exultant Both birds were hghtinQ
magniticently, as an enthusiastic observer
afterward expressed It But the enc
was drawing near. Tom and his fellow
hackers had givep Jim up for lost The
birds hesitated a single moment face to face
their feathers erect, their eyes bloodshot
when Jim, dying as he was, almost dead,
with one c~onvulsive spring met his opponent
and drove his long spur clean through
Dandy's brain. Ben's face fell, and hi
spirits sunk a hundred degrees, and he LOOKED
ruefully at his fallen and v~anquished bird
too astonished even to curse his luck. Ton
and his friends were 50 overcome witt
triumphant emotions that their enthusiasm
knew no bounds. They crowded around tn,
victorious Jim, eager to address some com
plimentary words TO the plucky hero. jim
understood it, and croaked a brave bu
chastity ''hoorah" In his peculiar dialect
Tom had taken him up at first, but he strug
gled a little, and was, consequently, pu
down He tapped his wings feebly, strutteC
u few PAGES, n then, striking out spitefull,
once more at his vanquished foe, staggered
keeled over, and died.
The fight had lasted thirty-six minutes, ex.
elusive Of waits Bets were paid over, tn
dead fowl divided between the slaves" an
the party separated
at was a bloody good fight, though" re
marked Ben, trying to console himself as b,
walked out with bis friends