Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1889-10-04
Hindoo sullivans and KiIrains.


carried on in India:
II il almost needless To state that our
life at Mysore proved very dull and my
fellow officers were casting about for some
relief from this interminable monotony,
having tired of football cricket and other
old-country sports, when We were agree
ably surprised one morning by receiving
polite invitation from the Raiah of the dis
triot to attend an athletic exhibition he pro
posed giving the next day.
At his Highness' palace We were received
in royal manner. After partaking Of a
liberal repast we We're conducted by him
to a large gallery overlooking the arena set
apart for the exhibition. After seeing Us
carefully bestowed, he ordered the games
to commence.
The professional Indian boxers are
known as ietties, name derived from the
peculiar contrivances worn by them upon
the right hand This consists of a kind of
cestus mace of buffalo horn with four sharp
knobs upon it, resembling exaggerated
knuckles Near the little finger is fifth
projection of greater prominence and keen
ness than the others. 1t is Worn upon the
right hand between the lower joints and
the main knuckles, the fingers being pass
ed through a narrow opening below the
raised points, of sufficient size to receive
them when the fist is doubled.
If it were placed directly over the
knuckles it 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 it Is aim
| ed Placed in the manner described the
wearer has to be very chary in the deliver
ence of full arm blow, as the conclusion
would be very likely to cause dislocation of
the hand Instead, therefore, of hitting IN
| the usual style i'll vogue among English
and American pugilists, the blows are de
livered perpendicularly, and as the knobs
are sure to make deep cut and lay the
flesh open to the bone, there is never any
question as to who is entitled to the claim
of first blood.
In few minutes two of these men step
ped into the arena. They were magnificent
| specimens of manhood, neither very stout
nor yelv muscular but with well-knit
splendidly proportional frames. Added to
this was a natural grace and gentlemanly
department.
Bowing low to the Rajah they took their
places in the center of the ring and put
themselves in position for the combat
Approaching each other they held up and
crossed their left arms, then, quickly step
ping back, they made various motions with
their hands, or, as we would express it,
SPARED for an opening They shifted
their positions with great activity, watch
ing like hawks for an opportunity to de-
liver a blow, never once allowing their at
tention to be diverted in any manner.
Several passes were made with lightning
like rapidity, were neatly parried, and we
were greatly puzzled to know which dis
played the greatest amount of science, so
equally were they matched.
At length ono of them, assuming the
offensive, pressed his antagonist backward
! g. - II 49, dnlir-~--7
stunning blow on the cheek which laid it
open to the bone. Suddenly the wounded
athlete ducked, and, grasping his an
tagonist by the legs, lifted him high in the
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 heap.
Like a cat he recovered his feet and closed
with the other. Then followed shower Of
blows which so disfgured the pugilists
that their faces were hardly recognizable.
Not relishing such n CORY spectacle, we
requested the Rajah to compel them to de
sist This he did reluctantly, seemingly
surprised to think that we should so soon
tire of an exhibition 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 a few words of commendation for
their pluck and skill They bowed low
and murmured words of thanks To the
effect that for such recompense they would
willingly fight every day of their lives.
A young Hindoo now appeared, armed
| with a weapon somewhat resembling n
quarter staff, about six feet long aud two
inches thick upon each end Of which was
! wooden ball inclosed in a quilted cotton
bag Immediately following him came
three others of his race, bearing slaves
three feet in length and about an inch and
a half in thickness. 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-
sented to each of his antagonists, 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 on
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 Ill the
face with one end of his shaft, felled him
like an OK. With u quick, backward move
ment he dashed the other end of the staii
at the head of one of his enemies who had
come up behind, and gave him a blow on
the temple that levelcd 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
the staff, made wicked lunge at him,
which landed in his ribs and almost took
away his breath. Recovering i'll an instant,
the latter bounded toward his antagonist
all the while swinging his weapon with
tremendous velocity. The willy fellow sue
ceeded in evading it by ducking and dodg-
ing. but at last he miscalculated his
chances. Raising his head, he received the
| covered end Of the staff on the forehead
and, staggering about for II second or two
fell prone on his back, completely beaten.
The victor received the usual nod OF ap-
probation from the Rajah, and smilingly
retil oil with those whom he had vanquish-
ed.
Thus ended days sports, and after par
taking of light luncheon, we bade our
host goodby and returned to our canton
ment.-Omaha UOrld Herdd.
Heaven deliver us from the people
who are filled with the spirit of calamity;