The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-08-08
suLL-FloHTINo IN INDIA.
II Has None Of the Brutal Character
istIcs Of the Spanish Contest.

u ~ as NONE OF tfo oTutdi SHoi avn
istics Of the Spanish Contest.
The ordinary bull fight which forms
the chief amusement of the Spaniards,
Cubans and Mexicans has been de-
scribed so often that there is not
vestige OF novelty left, but the man
ner in which such fights arc conducted
in India is quite II novelty in it's way.
Rev. Hobart Counter, who was a
missionary in that country for many
years, was probably the first Euro
pean to describe such a combat, since
which time it has been occasionally
referred to by travellers.
These fights have proved n source
of pleasure to the rajahs on their sub
jects for many years, and are still in
vogue in many districts OF India.
The thoroughly trained animals en-
ployed are usually the property OF
wandering jugslers, who find in them
source OF income sufficient for oil
their wants. No special fee is required
of the spectators, but ut the conclu--
sion of the fight they were rewarded
with u small gratuity from each.
The animals, which are very fierce,
are about the size OF an ordinary Al
derney bull, and are always kept in
first-class condition They are of a
special breed, having little, if any, re-
semblance to the ordinary sacred bull
of India, having no hump between the
shoulders. A noticeable popularity
in the shortness OF their forelegs and
the great depth from the upper part
OF the shoulder to the extremity OF the
neck. Havingextremeiyn narrow loins,
this acknowledgement OF the fore
quarters gives to the hind legs the APP
pearance of being n great deal too
long That they are very powerful is
indicated by their immensely thick
necks, while in strong contrast are
their delicately small heads.
When there is to be n fight, the own
ers of the bulls lead them into an I'M
provised ring, when they Immediately
give evidence OF their pugnacious ma
ture by believing loudly and paving
the ground in a furious manner. Be
ing secured by ropes passed around
terously kept apart for some time, in
order to allow them to work them
selves into q sufficient fury to insure
u desperate conflict.
They are led toward each other I'M
til but few feet intervene between
them, and then with q sudden jerk OF
the rope are hauled backward with
such force as to almost throw them on
their launches. A few repetitions of
this advancing and retreating is stuff
cient to work them into q state of I'M
governable rage The ropes are now
slipped from their heads and the com
bat begins.
For n minute or two they survey
each other with dilated nostrils and
flashing eyes. They run wildly around
in n circle before coming i'll contact,
cautiously watching for any advan-
tage that may be presented. Sudden
ly they come face to face, pause for IN
instant and then, with heads lowered,
rush madly together. 1t occasionally
happens that one or the other fails to
withstand the shock, and isforced up
on his launches, but, generally speak
ing, their horns become locked, and
then begins fierce struggle for SUI
premacy. So carefully are they train
ed that seldom, if ever, is either
gored during the fight, each dexterous-
ly avoiding the vicious thrusts made
by his opponent, and trying, with all
his strength, to throw him broadside
on the ground. The deadlock is at
last loosened. and each retreatsrapid-
ly backward few steps and then
rushes impetuously forward rs before,
but this time with even greater force.
This is usually repeated several times,
and as n matter Of course one or the
other grows weaker and begins to re-
treat. This is quickly recognized by
his antagonist who appears to gather
additional strength, and with "
tremendous rush generally succeeds in
forcing the vanquished gladiator upon
his launches. At this the keepers
quickly step forward, and striking the
victor on the nose with heavy
bamboo stick compel him to desist,
and passing the rope over his horns,
lead him away.
Thus ends this very peculiar combat,
which is devoid of all the extremely
brutal and bloody Incidents which
characterize an ordinary bull fight.