Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-10-23
HINDOO PuGuISra
Some OF The Curious PastIme, NJ,
he RaIab

esting accoRtIlt of how a boxing tour
nameust1s carried on in India:
ut Is almost needless to state that
our life at NIysore proved very dull. I
and my fellow officer were casting
about for some relief from this inter-
minable monotony, having tired of
football, cricket, and other old-coun-
try sports, when we were agreeably
surprised one morning by receiving a
polite invitation from the Rljah of the
district to attend an athletic exhibition
he proposed giving the next day.
At his Highness' Palace we were re-
ceived in a royal manner. After par
taking OF liberal repast we were con-
Quoted by him TO large gallery over
looking the arena set apart for the ex-
hibition. After seeing US carefully
bestowed, he ordered the game To com
mence.
The professional Indian boxers are
known AS iettieS, a name derived from
the peculiar cOntrivance worn by them
upon the right hand. This consists OF
n kind OF cestus made of buffalo horn
with four sharp knobs upon it resem-
bling exaggerated knuckles. Near the
little fnger is a fifth projection OF
greater prominence and keenness than
the others. 1t Is worn upon the right
hand between the lower joints and the
main knuckles, the fingers beng passed
through a narrow opening below the
raised points, of sufficient size TO receive
them when the fist Is doubled.
If it Is placed directly over the
knuckles IL is very evident that a blow
directed with the full force OF an ath-
letic arm would in all probability,
crush the skull of the unfortunate at
whom II is aimed. Placed in the man.
ner described the wearer is obliged to
be very chary IN the delivery 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 in vogue among
English and American pugilistS the
blows are delivered peTpendicularly,
and as the knobs are sure to make a
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
stepped into the arena. They were
magnificent specimens of manhood,
neither very stout nor muscular. but
with well-knIt, -proportioned
frames, Added to this was natural
gIa e and gentlemanly department.
Buwling 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 arm. then, !
quickly stepping back, they made varl- !
Gus motions with their hands, or, as we |
would eXI T IS it, SPARED for an |
opening" They shifted their positions |
with OrHpf yuatahfufr I
hawks for an opportunity to deliver a
blow, never once allowing their atten-
ton TO be diverted IN any manner.
Several passes made with lightning-llke
were neatly parr,ed, 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
Intensive, pressed his antagonist back
ward few feet, and, quick as a flash,
delivered stunning blow on the cheek
which laid it open TO the bones. Sud
ienly the wounded athlete ducked,
md, grasplng his antagonist by the !
egs, lifted him high in the air. The |
after dealt him another blow, this time | 4,
lpon the crown of the head, but, f.,
lothing daunted, he threw his man, !
nd rs he arose struck him a terrific {
low in the face, which tumbled him
'ver in a heap. Like 4 cat he recovered
lis feet and closed with the other.
Then followed a shower of blows which !
o disdgured the pugilists that their
aces were hardly recognizable.
Not relishIng such a CORY spec acle,
We requested the Rajah to cOmIel them !
o desist. This he did reluctantly,
eemingly surprised to think that we |
hould SO soon tire OF an exhibition
which he doubtless considered the very
Icme of manly sport.
Calling the boxers TO him he tossed
hem handful OF coins, accompanying
he gift.with a few words OF commen-
iation for their pluck and skill. They |
owed low and murmuIed words Of ]
hank n the effect that for such |
Iuyy would willingly fight |
VIZ ay OF their lives.
A young Hindoo now appeared
armed with n weapon somewhat resem-
1lng quarter staff, about six feet !
ong and two inches thick, upon each
md OF which was \ wooden ball in |
;losed In quilted cotton bag. Imme- |
iiately following him came three others
~ bis race bearing slaves three feet in | .
ength and about an inch and half in |
thickness. At "a signal from our host I
he plsy oegan.
he three quickly attacked the new
'Omer, who detc-d Il himself from the
,lows they aimed at him with surprls-
NJ agility and adrOituess. SO rapid |
we're his movements that his front was
always presented to his antagonists, !
md so LeNtrously did he handle his
weapon, which was held at the center
u the shaft, that every attempt TO
trike him proved futile. For several I
moments he acted on the defensive, :
nd thus managed TO tire out the l
ttacking parties.
Observing this, he made a sudden
pring at one of them, and striking him :
ull in the face with the end of his .
taft, felled him like an OK. With a ,
.uick backward movement, he dashed :
he other end of the staff ut the head | ;
L one of his enemies who had come up :
ehlnd, and gave him n blow on the
Po'''" that leveled him to the earth as
ocIal, Il ruCk with cannon ball. The "A
,eyt F-, one, imagining he had now v
ut chance TO disable the .
sAy-hlgi the staff, made a wicked 7
dvsntist i'm, which landed in his ribs q
=. st took away his breath. Re- \
III lAg in an in tant, the latter
) uuded toward his antagonist, all the
'hile swinging his weapon with tre- O
lendOus velocity. The WHY fellow Z
ucceeded In evading it by ducking and |,
OIging, but at last he miScalculated {
- chances. Raising his head, he re- a
elved the covered end OF the staff on
IS forehead, and, staggering about for
second or two, fell prone on his back,