The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-02-12

sport Al signal, TWO men stepped on 70
the sauded surface that had been carefully
leveled of and after few feints came to-
getker with rush, grasped each other by
the waist cloth, and after brief. sharp
struggle, came 10 the ground together, one
being on top. He. being the victor, sprang
Immediately to his feet in time to meet
fresh man from the party to which the de-
feated one belonged, and, in his turn was
thrown. a loud roar of applause from the
West announced the fact that their side was
''even" again, and then two others stepped
forward. They squatted opposite each other
for moment, rubbing their sanded hands
together, and then commenced .'sparring''
for good hold. The play of their open
hands was very rapid, and at last one
ducked, run his head into the others chest,
flung his arm over his opponents back,
seized his waist band, and had him down in
an instant. Quick as thought he was on
the defensive again, and tried to repeat the
trick with the next man. He failed, how
ever, and was run backwards out of the
ring, which was equivalent to defeat.
His conqueror had no time to spare, for
rival met him as he turned, and for a mo-
ment or two the sand flew about quite lively.
Finally, in some mysterious way, he was
thrown off his balance and brought TO his
knees-a proceeding which was hailed with
loud shouts of applause from the East.
The umpire, who alone remained in the
ring with the wrestlers, stepped forward
each time a man was downed, and with a
waive of his fan announced the result. Only
once was there any occasion for anyone else
to interfere, and that was when victor was
attacked a little too suddenly from behind
by fresh eombatant. Then the men from
each side rushed in, each one vociferating at
the top of his voice, and for moment there
was nothing to be seen but a struggling
mass of men packed closely together like
brokers on the floor of stock exchange
only the Japs behaved better. The head men
rushed in, the band struck up lively air,
and in minute the noisy crowd divided
the two parties squatted down again, and
the wrestling went on.
There was every variety of clutch, hold,
slip, trip, and feint employed, and men were
run or pitched headlong out of the ring
thrown with gentle violence Zone of them
down on it,, or dexterously pulled down on
their faces. Roars of laughter greeted the
defeat of some, and loud applause the skill
full feats of others. All the wrestlers dis
played the utmost good nature, grinning
good humoredly at defeat or victory.
After about an hours exhibition of their
skill and muscle, the umpire declared the
wrestling finished, and the victory was
awarded to the East. In what mysterious
way the question was decided no one out
side of the ring could possibly determine,
but all seemed satisfied.
Thereupon ensued sort of dance of tri-
umph by the leading ones in the East.
Fastening around their waists red, yellow,
and blue blankets lin imitation of the gor-
geous silk wrappings which Consul Irwin
informs US the professionals wear on such
occasions), they commenced slow, stately
ring dance chanting and gesticulating after
+ the manner of the Gilbert Islanders, or the
Mount Lebanon Quakers perhaps. They
sung their valorous deeds, and in dulged in
few Jokes at the expense of the West, who
grinned their appreciation of the fun. Then
the piled up tubs of Sahte were approached,
and the top one being taken down lit was
about Is inches in diameter, and feet high),
it was seized and tossed aloft by as many as
could possibly get hold of it. 1t reminded
some present of the Gothic ceremony of
heaving aloft victorious chief on shield.
Finally the tub was set upon the ground,
the head broken in and all crowded forward
for deep draught Of the liquor.
Consul Irwin invited his guests on the music
platform to taste of the same liquor, and all
pronounced it genuine-sahki It isn't
g cat-Iap' at any rate. Some boxes of
japanese snap biscuits were opened and
scattered amonst the crowd, who seemed to
highly appreciate the goodies.
The wrestling match was preceded by a
fencing match called "Gekkn." The two
combatants were armed with two-handled,
straight, wooden swords about feet long.
Their heads were defended by heavy he'll
NETS, the faces being covered by a wire mask.
The hands were protected by padded gloves,
breast plates and greaves we're worn, and
thus protected they went at each other quite
, scientifically. The attack and defence was
very good, one the other now and then
acknowledging a cut thrust. This per-
Torrance was followed by some acrobatic
feats ON an upright ladder, and then came
I the wrestling described above.
Finally, a grave-looking party mounted
/ on a tub in the middle of the ring, and,
| hoisting fish-skin umbrella over his head,
commenced a song which another man &C
companied by taps on one of the drums bor-
rowed from the band. Surrounding the
singer was ring of people, who came in on
! the chorus.
This wound up the days sports, with
which all expressed themselves very much
pleased. The remark was made that such
people on plantation would help to make
thi lgs lively, and there certainly was fine
display of muscle, pluck and good nature.
Mr.. ]. D. Strong took some instantaneous
negatives, besides securing some other fine
studies.