The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-14

Rpon very popular in the south, and
ich used against Now York regulation
els would give = gams cook a greater ad-
ntags than would = pound and a half of
light. Figure 8 shows a half drop socket,
y nearly ~ dangerous rs the heels pic
tier could mention would not ask more
IN to DO allowed to tic on = little bit Of
kusibls, unsuspioious looking Dashboard,
sue paper or leather wafer beneath the
tural spur. or spur butt of his fighting
Is, before he sets on the steel spur.
Both birds have been limbersd up by
ing run about on the pit BY their tails,
d now the handlers are holding them and
steels are being adjusted. First a strip
Of the bird, which is presented to him
pr upward. Tho thin strip is wound
pund the Lex above and below the spur
II and over tho butt, to present a firm,
Id surface for tho socket of the steel
ar. This accomplished. the steel heel ia
hosd lightly on, and the hssler, grasping
, short toe Of the bird, twists it backward
which il q little point of a tendon. like
lhot, at the upper joint of the leg, just
fore the feathers begin, rise and fall.
10 point of the steel spur is set on the left
Z, 20 that it is exactly on a line with the
hide Of this little leader. On the right
1t 10 set so it ia on a line with the out
. Of the leader-oocks strike one leg
owe the othsr-this much for the lateral
Ting; The rule is to throw down. tbs
uch ~ YOU possibly can. The more the
tier. Whom the spur ia properly set On it
firmly wound, the best material being
cd wa1-snd. Care should be taken not
wind so tightly as to eramp the leg of a
vi. After the spur ia on the toes
ould be pulled and limbsred much after
: fashion Of pulling out tho joint Of a
rained finger. Tho birds are limbered
again ON the carpet of the pit.
Ths judge IL in his seat and the crowd
tiles down for the first battle. Tho
ndlors step to the scratch, holding the
|rda upon on Z level with their faces and
lowing them to peck or 'blll' zach
her. Three or four times the miniature
krriors dash their beaks into Zach others
I'D and necks and throats; now the hand
Fs step back and the birds IRE delivered
the carpet fairly, some six or eight feet
BART. They are together like q shot.
bose angry beaks take bull dog, swapping
|rtle holds on opposing throats; four pow
full legs rattle in killing blows with two
HRS Of steel blades, as the fighters rise
20 feet in the air with beating wings and
noise that would discount the sudden
Fening and shutting of half a dozen big
NAV VAVy opAAkSiO oOWA ~ eAo
[rpet again. 1t takes an expert to see
bat has happened. but it isn't sven
Ptting any mole. The duokwin9 has bsen
Il. Ter dollars to $8,'' SO to $33' and
ZEN two to one' are tho shouts now, as
lar Horses opponent utsggers, blinks and
len drops. He ia up again in no time, but
Ear Horse has him by the throat and sends
= yolley Of steel shod kicks that no flesh
blood could endure. Five dollars to
!" ten to one'' are tho cries now, as
rong and savage War Horse stands over
i dying foe. II pound him. says = quiet
udious looking young man from the mid
% OF the excited mass of spectators. II
Ike it." cries the owner of the almost dead
But it 10 no use. the Silver duckwing
'nnot peck again. In a few minutes. more
is counted out. Now the birds are picked
ought in to weigh, the victor. II War
weighs u hair over tho fur pounds
n ounces at which he was matched, the
lad bird will win. He doesn't quite draw
10 notch, and while the victora hurrah,
10 losers draw out rolls of bills, and pay
debts.
The average New York bastle between
hitting cocks takes from twelve to twenty
and the fight that lasts an hour ID
dious counting" by the handlers mars
9 sport, and very frequently the battle is
directly by the g%eneralship of a skilful
tier, but the general effect of the New
'rk rules is to make good cook fighting
ID to give the victory to the better bird.
The care of game fowls ID not fundamen-
lily different from that bestowed on other
Tho main thing is to bring birds
tho pit strong and well, with no moro
'ah on them han is necessary. 10 do
is the birds are ''put mp" in warm, SOM
rtable ooops for a space varying from
ne days to four weeks previous to battle,
ID put through a careful regime of food
ID drink ard exercise. The principal
ing during this training is proper exer-
10. and the main thing about the exercise
that it be gradual and not too severe.
ame cocks are exercised while in training
living sparring and running. 1t is d
rlouss sight to SEQ 4 cocker giving his
rds their 'fiys." This is done on a cush-
ned table or mattress, and il about Ms So
re exercise on the handler as it is on the
I'd. The aparring of cocks in training is
ne with muffllers over the spurs. which
rye the same purpose as boxing gloves.
is the recipe for the food which fight
He'd cock break, and is very nutritious
d stimulating: Abous three pounds of
'e flour, two eggs, four whites OF eggs
d a little yeast. keeded with a sutficienoy
water II well baked. some add, as a
eat secret, 4 few annis seeds OF a little
lnamon. AS much of this bread as would
a tea cup, of course chopped up. is given
Ice a day, only Il few dips OF water At a
ne being allowed any time during train
2. A little barley is good occasionally,
IT should be prepared by having the
points taken OIL. A little sheep's
is good occasionally. and 10 IL the
,lfA Tf an arr hsi1nI HAL K