The herald., 1893-08-07
SUNDAY AMUSEMENT.
w MEXICO A PRIEST SENDS HIS BIRDS
ITO A COCK FIGHT.

- ~~--o@ @St@thSn w ith At8To
t.Contests Between Delligerens Cooks.
Ono Sundays Sport.
ut was in Mexican village, " said the
Explorer. "Great had been our surprise
me evening before when little after 8
o'clock we rode into the public square
pp to the door Of the convent and OBJ
eerved long line of game cocks guard
ing one side of the 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 investigate 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
Dquare.
"Along the wall that stood at right an
Eles with the front Of the convent small
wooden stakes had been driven in the
ground. To each plumed warrior was
lecurely attached at q safe distance from
his valiant compeers. Who could have
dared to utilize for such q purpose the
Ihade afforded by the wall of the sacred
bdificee Another instant and we should
have voiced this thought. It is general
" a mistake ito speak in q hurry. The
rood old priest had followed us and was
now at our side. Pointing lean brown
Hnger at very proud looking rooster.
Ae said: THAT is the prince Of this lot
though they will all prove themselves
lplendid fighters, ! knowi ! have not
ytudied the creatures 40 years for nothingl'
Boi They were his own propertyl Yes
mother five minutes talk made 1t plain
that the pet hobby Of this holy man was
pock fightingl We will call him Father
E. because It is not necessary to give
HE name Of our kind host. Fairly
launched on his favorite topic, he talked
away for full hour and was ut
serly amazed, not to say somewhat in
'sredulous. when informed that we had
never seen professional tussle between
hose birds so dear to his heart and
purse. and which he loved to see fighting
" sAA0 AA1iBs Sub lOu tAubt COLkl0 WlJL
ne tomorrow afternoon, said he; the
people here all like it, 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-
hon. The pit was In the interior court
gard Of private house. A circular
eence of slender sticks surrounded the
carefully leveled ground dedicated to
Ihe carnage. Chairs surrounded it, and
bshed. thatched with palm leaves, shell
ered the SPOT from the scorching rays
" the sun. In gay attire the most re-
spected matrons and maidens of the
place were there, the performance being
pountenanced and partly provided by
he priest. A lively conversation was
kept up, all present being acquainted.
The roosters had been shorn Of their
leathers, save those Of the wings and
kil. Each bird was weighed; then
curved steel spurs were secured TO the
btlmps of those provided by nature, but
which had been cut of. Quite suddenly
conversation ceases. Two birds are in
lbe ring. The struggle commences.
Heads lowered, eyes glaring, quivering
With rage. the heroes fly at each. other.
Calculating that his opponent has
limped too high, the other one crouches,
woids the blow and turns upon his foe,
rho stands firm. Both rise in the air,
breast striking against breast, each striv-
ing to deal his adversary mortal blow.
Dne Is stabbed-he staggers. Profting
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 wound. Both now
have difficulty In keeping on their feet,
though neither will yield. More wounds
IRE dealt. Both fall exhausted. One
recovArs. sees his foe prostrate, SO does
not attack, but shakes his lowered head
and claws the ground in his fury. I'M
patiently he thirsts for the li1S Of his
opponent. who. no less savage. regains
ais feet. and with glaring eyes watches
Every move Of his adversary.
'sThe 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
I'll 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, SO great is
the suspense. Will he rise once more?
Victor examines victim very distrust-
FULLY, makes sure he is dead. then mount
ing on tho PROSTATE form draws himself
mp 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
10 fight again. Even those that had lost
pne or both eyer would fight if an oppor-
unity was given to them, for these birds
ARE SO ferociously brave that unless
wanted to fight they have to be kept out
Df each others reach.
SAT the O'Clock dinner in the con-
vent our reverend host talked Of nothing
but his triumphant roosters and called
= us to bear witness that the very one
10 had pointed out had proved itself that
lay the greatest hero of them all. New
York Tribune.