Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-08-03
SUNDAY AMUSEMENT.
IN MEXICO A PRIEST SENDS HIS BIRDS
TO A COCK FIGHT.

An Enthusiastic lover OF Game Roosters
Entertains His Congregation With Rare
Contests Between BclIigerent Cocks.
One Sundays Sport
1T was In a Mexican village" said the
explorer. "Great had been our surprise
the evening before when little after 8
o'clock we rode into the public square
up to the door of the convent and OBJ
served long line Of game cocks guard
ing one side Of tbs great church. Well,
that was our first impression. Closer
inspection made things palmer. In the
convent, residence Of only the priest and
his relations, we hung our hammocks,
rested awhile, refreshed the inner man
with tortillas and black beans, then went
forth to nvestigate the feathered regi-
ment. The large church was built out
into the square, so that its rear wall was
ON line with the convent and other
structures forming that side Of the
square.
"Along the wall that stood at right an
giles with the front of the convent small
wooden stakes had been driven in the
ground. To each plumed warrior was
securely attached at safe distance from
his valiant compeers. Who could have
dared to utilize for such purpose the
shade afforded by the wall of the sacred
edifice? Another instant and we should
have voiced this thought. 1t Is general
ly a mistake to speak In hurry. The
good old priest had followed us and was
now at our side. Pointing q lean brown
finger at a very proud looking rooster,
he said: That Is the prince of this lot,
though they will all prove themselves
splendid fighters, knowl / have not
studied the ecreatures 40 years for nothingv
So! They were his own property! Yes,
another five minutes talk made IL plain
that the pet hobby Of this holy man was
cock fghtingl We will call him Father
r. because it is not necessary to give
the name of our kind host. Fairly
launched on his favorite topic, he talked
away for o full hour and was ut
terly amazed, not to say somewhat in
credulous, when informed that we had
never seen professional tussle between
those birds 30 dear to his heart and
purse, and which he loved to see fighting
In the ring. But you must come with
me tomorrow afternoon said he; the
people here all like 1t, and we enjoy the
harmless sport every Sunday afternoon
He intended no sarcasm.
"Nolens volens, when Sunday after
noon came, our host, having laid aside
his sacerdotal robes after celebrating
high mass, piloted US to the scene Of ac-
ton. The pit was in the interior court
yard of a private house. A circular
fence Of slender sticks surrounded the
carefully leveled ground dedicated to
the carnage. Chairs surrounded it, and
shed, matched with palm leaves, shell
tered the spot from the scorching rays
of the sun. In gay attire the most re-
spected matrons and maidens Of the
place were there, the performance being
countenanced and partly provided by
the priest. A lively conversation was
kept mp, all present being acquainted.
The roosters had been shorn of their
feathers, save those Of the wings and
tail. Each bird was weighed; then
curved steel spurs were secured to the
stumps of those provided by nature, but
which had been cut off. Quite suddenly
conversation ceases. Two birds are in
the ring. The struggle commences.
Heads lowered, eyes glaring, quivering
with rage, the heroes fly at each other.
Calculating that his opponent has
jumped too high, the other one crouches,
avoids the blow and turns upon his foe,
who stands firm. Both rise in the air,
breast striking against breast, each striv-
ing to deal his adversary mortal blow.
One is stabbed-he staggers. Profiting
by this weakness, his adversary follows
up the attack, but the wounded one
keeps an eye on his enemy, and not be-
ing ready for him lodges, regains his
position and inflicts a wound. Both now
have difficulty in keeping on their feet,
though neither will yield. More wounds
are dealt. Both fall exhausted. One
reoovers, sees his foe PROSTATE, so does
not attack, but shakes his lowered head
and claws the ground in his fury. I'm
patiently he thirsts for the life of his
opponent, who, no less savage, regains
his feet, and with glaring eyes watches
every move Of his adversary.
"The enthusiasm Of their owners and
hackers increases as the wounds become
more numerous-the excitement is in
tense, and bets run high. The creatures
engaged In deadly strife keep cooler than
the audience. A moment arrives when
all the hackers talk at once. Five dol
lars more on the whiter Ten on the
canelo' cinnamon color). The stakes do
not exceed $50. At last one warrior
falls. Dead silence follows. 80 great is
the suspense. Will he rise once more2
Victor examines victim very distrust-
fully, makes sure he is dead, then mount
ing on the PROSTATE form draws himself
up with an exultant cry Of victory, just
like some gladiator Of olden times.
"All through the long summer after
noon one battle succeeded another. The
birds that survived were taken home to
be carefully tended until restored enough
to fight again. Even those that had lost
one or both eyes would fight il an oppor-
tunity was given to them, for these birds
ere 90 ferociously brave that unless
wanted to fight they have to be kept out
Of each others reach.
"At the o'clock dinner In the con-
vent our reverend host talked Of nothing
but his triumphant roosters and called
ON MS to bear witness that the very one
he had pointed out had proved itself that