The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-15

above the other. This much for the lateral
setting. The rule is to throw down the
point by winding and manipulation as
much as you possibly can. The more the
better. When the spur is properly set on
il is firmly wound, the best material being
good wax-end. Care should be taken not
TO wind SO tightly as TO cramp the leg of
fowl. After the spur is on the toes should
be pulled and limbered much after the
fashion of pulling out the joint of a
up again on the carpet of the pit.
The judge is in his seat and the crowd
settles down for the first battle. The
handlers step to the scratch, holding the
birds up on level with their faces and al
lowing them to peck or "bill' each other.
Three or four times the miniature war;
riors dash their beaks into each others
head and neck and throat; now the
handlers step back and the birds are deliv-
cred on the carpet fairly, some six or eight
feet apart. They are together like shot.
Those angry beaks take bulldog, swapping
turtle holds on opposing Threats; four
powerful legs rattle in killing blows with
two pairs of steel blades as the fighters rise
two feet in the air with beating wings and
noise that would discount the sudden
opening and shutting of half dozen big
umbrellas. and they struggle down to the
carpet again. 1t takes an expert to see
what has happened, but it isn't even bet
ting any more. The Duckwlng has been
hit; $50 to S." ''$5 to 49," and even
two to one" are the shouts now, as War
Horses opponent staggers, blinks and
but War Horse has him by the throat
and sends in a volley of steel-shod
kicks that no flesh and blood could en-
dure. Five dollars to one dollar, "ten
to one," are the cries now, as strong and
savage War Horse stands over his dying
foe. II pound him." says quiet studi-
Gus looking young man from the middle
of the excited mass of spectators. Il take
it," cries the owner of the almost dead
bird. But it is no use, the Silver Duck
wing cannot peck again. In few minutes
more he is counted out. Now the
birds are picked up, their steel spurs
cut off, and the scales brought in to weigh
the victor. If War Horse weighs hair
over the four pounds ten ounces at which
he was matched, the dead bird will win.
He doesn't quite draw the notch, and
while the victors hurrah, the losers draw
out rolls of bills and pay their bets.
The average New York battle between
fighting cocks takes from twelve to twenty
minutes, and the hight that lasts an hour
is not extraordinary. Frequently long
and tedious counting" by the handlers
battle is won directly by the gen.
eraiship of a skillful pitter. but the
general effect of the New York rules
is to make good cock lighting, and to
give the victory to the better bird.
The care of game fowls is not funda-
mentally different from that bestowed on
other poultry. The main thing is to bring
birds to the pit strong and well, with no
more flesh on them than is necessary. To
do this the birds are put up in warm,
comfortable coops for space varying from
nine days to four weeks previous to battle,
and put through a careful regime of food
and drink and exercise. The principal
thing during this training is proper exer-
else, and the main thing about the eXer-
else is that it be gradual and not too Sc
we're. Game cocks are exercised while in
ming. 1t is a curious sight to see cocker
giving his birds their ''hys." This
Is done on a cushioned table or
mattress, and is about as severe ex-
ercise on the handler as it is on the bird.
The sparring of cocks in training is
done with the muffiers over the spurs,
which serve the same purpose as boxing
gloves. Here is the recipe for the food
which fighting cocks are given while in
training. 1t is called cock bread, and is
very nutritious and stimulating: About
three pounds of fine flour, two eggs, four
whites of eggs and little yeast, kneaded
with sutficlency of water and well baked.
Some add, as great secret, few anise
seeds or little cinnamon. AS much of
this bread as would till teacup, of course
chopped up, is given twice day, only
few dips of water at a time being allowed
any time during training. A little barley
is good occasionally, though it should be
prepared by having the sharp points taken
off. A little sleeps heart is good occa-
sionally, and so is the white of an egg
boiled hard.