The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-25
rINDOo sULLIVANs AND Kill
RAINS
Some of the Brutal Pastimes of the
H6iah.
From the Nelo YORK Press.

Some of the Brutal Pastimes of the
Rejah.
From the NeIo York Press.
Col. L. T. Pearl of the Sixty-eighth Light
r,fautry, who has been stationed at Ny
sore. British India, for the last five years,
gives the following interesting account OF
how boxing tournament is carried on IN
India:
7, is almost needless to state that our life
at Mysore proved very dull. L and my
fellow officer were casting about for some
raIief from this interminable monotony,
having tired Of football, cricket and other
old country sports, when we were agree
ahlv surprised one morning by receiving a
roliie invitation from the Rajah of the dis
trlct To attend an athletic exhibition he pro-
uosel giving the next day.
At his highness' palace we were received
ina royal manner. After partaHing of a
liberal repast we were conducted by him to
a large gallery overlooking the arena set
anart for the exhibition. After seeing us
carefully bestowed, he ordered the games TO
commence.
The professional Indian boxers are known
as ietties. a name derived from the peculiar
e ntrivances worn by them upon the right
hapd. This consists of kind OF cestus made
of buffalo horn with four sharp knobs upon
it. resembling exaggerated knucSles. Near
tbe little finger is fifth projection of greater
prominence and keenness than the others.
II is worn upon the right hand, between
tbe lower Joints and the main knuckles, the
fingers being passed through a narrow
onening below the raised points, of suffi-
cent size TO receive them when the fist is
doubled.
If it were placed directly over the
kruckles it is very evident that a blow
e Ii
arm would, IN ali probability, crush the
ssull of toe unfortunate at whom it is
aimed Placed in the manner described,
the wearec Is obliged to be very chary in
the dehverance of full-arm blow, as the
conclusion would be very likely to cause
disocation of the hand. Instead, there
fore, Of hi ting in the usual style in vogue
among English anu American pugilisJs, the
bows are delivered perpendicularly, and as
the knots are sure 10 make deep cut and
lay the flesh open to the bone, there is never
any question as to VINO is entitled to the
claim of first blood.
THE GLADIAToRS.
In few minutes two of these men stepped
into the arena. They were magnitice ut
specimens of manhood, neither very stout
nor very muscular, but with we.l-IInit,
splenddly- proportional frames. Added to
this as a natural grace and gentlemanly
department.
Bowing low to the rajah they took their
places in the center of the ring, and put
themselves i'll position for the combat.
approaching zach other they held up and
crossed their left arms, then, quietly step
ping back. they made various motions with
their hands, Or. as we would express it,
SPARED for AN ope ling" They shifted
their positions with great activity, watching
like hawks for an opportunity to deliver q
blow, never once allowing their attention
to be diverted i'll any manner. Several
passes were made with lightning like rapid
Try, were neatly parried, and we were
greatly puzzled TO know which displayed
tire greatest amount Of science, 50 equally
were they matched
At length one of them, assuming the
offensive, pressed his antagonist backward
few feet and, quick as a flash, delivered a
stunning blow on the check which laid it
open to the bone. Suddenly the wounded
athlete ducked, and. grasping his antago-
mist by the legs, lifted him high in tae air.
The latter dealt him another blow, this
time upon the crown of the head, but,
nothing daunted, he threw his man, and as
he rose struck him terrific blow in the
face, which tumbled him over In a heap
Like a cat he recovered his feet and closed
with the other. Then folio ed shower of
blows which SO disfgured the pugilits that
their faces were hardy recognizable.
Not relishing such a gorv spectacle, we
requested the rajah to compel them to de-
sist. This he did reluctantly. seemingly
surprised to think that we Snould so soon
tire OF an exblbi ion which he doubtless
considered the very acme of manly sport.
Calling the boxers to him he tossed them
a handful OF coins, accompanying the gift
with few words of commendation for
their pluck and skill They bowed low and
Of 1ve A.
that for such recompense they would will
lngly hight every day of their lives.
FIGHTING WITH SLAVES
A young Hiudoo now appeared. armed
with weapon somewhat resembling a
quarter-staff, about feet long and inches
thick, upon each end of which was a
wooden ball enclosed in quilted cotton
bag. Immediately following him came
three others of his race, bearing slaves 8
feet In length and about = inches in thick
ness. At signal from our host the play
began.
The three quickly attacked the new
conner, who defended himself from the
blows they aimed at him with surprising
agility and adroitness. So rapid were his
movements that his front was ALWAYS pre-
seAteu TO each of his antagonists. and SO
dexterously did he handle his weapon.
winch was held at the center of the sdaft,
ehaG every attempt to strike him proved
intle. For several moments he acted on
the defensive, and thus managed to tire out
the attacking parties.
observing this, he made a sudden spring
al one OF them, and striking him full In the
lace lace with the end of his staff, felied him
IKE an OK. With a quick, backward
movement he dashed the other end of the
sVail at the temple of one of his enemies who
uaa come up behind, and gave him a blow
U y, Cue head that felled him to the earth as
though struck with cannon ball. The
remaining one, imagining he had now an
excellent chance to disable the wielder of
5ne statf, made wicked lunge at him, which
ahded In his ribs and almost took away
t ms breath. Recovering in an instant,
V vac latter bounded toward his antagonist.
s sl inc while swinging his weapon with
Tremendous velocity. The willy fellow sue
Geeued In evading it by ducking and dodg-
I y out at last he miscalculated his chances.
Isaislng his head, he received the covered
enl Oh the staff on his forehead, and stag
sefing about for a second or two fell prone
VI MS back, completely beaten.
me victor received the usual nod of ap-
PROBATION from the rajAh, and smilingiy
aotlred with those whom he had van
mus ended days sports, and after par
taxing OF a light luncheon, we ,bade our
most good-by and returned to our canton