Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-14
PUGILISTS OF THE RAJAH.
An Account of Some Of the Curious Pas.
times INDUCED i'm by the Hindoos.

times INDUCED i'm by the Hindoos.
From the Omaha World Herald
Col. L. I. Pearl of the sixty-eighth light in
fantry, who has been stationed az Mysore,
British India, for the last five years, gives the
following interesting account of how a boxing
tournament is carried on in India:
1t is almost needless to state that our life al
Mysore proved very dull and nv fellow ofi-
Ger were casting about for some relief from tins
interminable monotony. having tired of foot
bail, cricket and other old-country sports. when
we were agreeably surprised one morning by
receiving polite invitation from the rajah Of
the dlstric; to attend an athletic exhibition he
proposed giving the next day.
At his highness' palace we were received in
right royal manner. After partakinC of a
liberal repast We were conducted BY him 10 a
large gallery overlooking the arena set apart
ior the exhibition. After seeing us carefully
bestowed he ordered the games TO commence
The professional Indian boxers are known
as jetties, a name derived from the peculiar
contriHance worn by them upon the right hand
1 ms consists of a kind Of cestus made of buff
falo horn with four sharp knobs upon il resem-
bling exaggerated knuckles. Near the little
hnger Is a fifth projection of greater promi-
hence ana keenness than the Others. Ii l. worn
upon the right hand between the lower Joints
and the main knuckles, the fingers being
passed through narrow opening below the
raised points of sufficient size to receive them
when the fist is doubled.
If II we're placed directly over the knuckles.
1t Is very evident that blow directed with the
full force of an athletic arm would in all
probability, crush the skull of the unfortunate
at whom II Is aimed. Placed in the manner
described, the wearer is obliged 10 De very
chary IN the deliyerance of "A full-arm blow as
the conclusion would be very likely 20 cause
0lslnpaflnn ha hun1 Int
hitting IN the usual style in vogue among Eng
glish and American pugilIsts. the blows are de-
llvered perpendicularly. and as the knobs are
sure TO make deep cut and lay the flesh open
10 the bone there rs never any question as to
who Is entitled to the claim OF first blood
In few minutes two OF these men stepped
into the arena. They were magnificent speci-
mems of manhood, neither very stout nor very
muscular, but with well-knit, splendidly pro-
portioned frames. Added to this was a nat
ural grace and gentlenanly department
PRIZE FIGHT.
Bowling low to the rajah. they took their
places in the center of the ring and put them
selves in position for the combat Approach
ing each other. they held up and crossed their
left arms, then, quickly stepping back, they
made various motions with their hands or. as
we would express II, SPARED for an opening g"
They shifted their positions with great actIv-
ity. watching like hawks for an opportunity TO
deliver a blow, never once allowing the atten-
ton to be diverted in any manner Several
passes, made with lightning-like rapidity. were
neatly parried, and we were greatly puzzled TO
know which displayed the greatest amount of
science. SO equally were they matched
At length one of them, assuming the often
slye. pressed his antagonist backward few
feet and, quick as fash, delivered a stunning
blow on the cheek, which land il open TO the
bone. Suddenly the wounded athlete ducked
and grasping his antagonist by the legs lifted
HIM high in the air. The latter dealt ham
another blow. this time upon the crown of th,
head; but. nothing daunted. he threw his man.
and as lac arose struck him a 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 followed a shower of
blows which so dishgured thu puglllsts that
their faces were hardly recognizable.
Not relishing such CORY spectacle we re-
quested the rajah 10 compel them TO desist
This he did reluctantly, seemingly surprised 10
think that We should so soon tire Of an exhibit
ton 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 commentator for their muck
and skill. They bowed low and murrnured
words of thanks TO the effect that for such
recompense they would willingly fight every
day Of their lives.
A BATTLE WITH SLAVES.
a weapon somewhat resembling quarter-staff.
about six feet long and two inches thick. upon
each end of which was a wooden ball inclosed
in quilted cotton bag. Immediately follow
ing him came three others of his race bearing
slaves three feet in length and about an inch
and half in thickness At signal from our
host the play began.
The three quickly attacked the newcomer
who defended himself from the blows they
aimed at him with surprising agility and adroit-
ness. SO rapid were hls movements that his
front was always presented to each of his an
tagonists, and SO deXterously did he handle
his weapon, which was held at the center of the
shaft, that every attempt TO strike him proved
futile. For several moments he acted entirely
upon the defensive, and thus managed to tire
out the attacking parties.
Observing this he made a sudden spring at
one OF them. and striking him full i'm the face
with the end of his staff felled him like an OK
With a quick backward movement he dashed
the other end OF the staff at the head of one of
his enemies who had come up behind and
gave him blow on the temple that leveled
him TO the earth as though struck with a can
non ball The remaining one, imagining he
had now an excellent chance to disable the
wielder Of the staff, made a wicked lunge at
him, which landed IN his ribs and almost took
away his breath. Recovering in an instant.
however, the latter bounded toward his antago-
mist, all the while swinging his weapon with
tremendous velocity. The willy fellow sue
ceeded in evading it by ducking and lodging,
but at last he miscalculated his chances
Raising his head he received the covered end
of the staff on his forehead, and. staggering
about for second or two, fell prone on his
pack, completely beaten.
The victor received the usual nod Of appro-
baton from the rajah, and smilingly retired
with those whom he had vanquished.
Thus ended days sports, and after partak-
ing OF a light luncheon we bade our host good
by and returned 10 our cantonment