Idaho semi-weekly world., 1893-11-28
UNDAY AMUSEMENT.
MEXICO A PRIEST SENDS HIS BIRDS
TO A COCK FIGHT.

rnthusinstic Lover Of Game noostcrs
.utertains Ills Congregation With Rare
optcsts Between Bciilgcrcnt Cocks.
buc Sundays Sport.
.It was in Mexican village" said the
rlor2r. Great had been our surprise
ovoninr before when little after 8
E,ocl, v-c rode into tho public square
70 tl.c Gocr of the convent and OBJ
Fvod u long limo of game cocks guard
c.c side of the great church. Well,
n wes cur first impression. Closer
kucction made things palmer. In tho
nycat, residence Of only the priest and
relations. we hung our hammocks,
tied awhile, refreshed the inner man
m tortillas and black beans, then went
Eth to investigate the fcathered regi-
Int Tho largo church was built cut
10 the square, go that it's rear wall was
II linc with tho. convent and other
ructurcs forming that side of the
InGrc.
.Alonr the wall that stood ut right an
ps with tho front of the convent small
bodon stakes had been driven in the
pund To each u plumed warrior was
rurely attached Mt q safe distance from
valiant compeers. Who could have
red TO utilize for such purpose the
ade afforded by tbs vail of the sacred
Rice? Another instant and we should
We voiced this thought. 1t is general
mistake to speak in hurry. The
od old priest had followed us and was
bw Mt our side. Pointing lean brown
heer ut II very proud looking rooster,
said: That 10 tho prince of this lot,
oush they will all prove themselves
klendid fighters, Enow! l have not
|udied the creatures 40years for nothingp
b! They were his own property Yes,
nothcr five minutes talk made it plain
at the pet hobby of this holy man was
bck lighting! We will call him Father
because it is not necessary to give
ke namc of our Kind host. Fairly
tunchcd on his favorite topic, he talked
May fer full hour and was ut
erly amazed, not to say somewhat in
redulous, when informed that we had
|cver seen y professional tussle between
bose birds so dear to his heart and
|ursc, and vl,ic', he loved to see fighting
3 the ring. -. III must come with
be tomorrow afternoon, said he; the
Scoplc here all like it, and we enjoy tho
ssrinless sport every Sunday afternoon
Qe intended 70 sarcasm.
"Nolcns volens, when Sunday after
kocn came, cur lost, having laid aside
lis saccrdotal robes after celebrating
high HESS, riloted Us to tho scene of ac-
Eon. The rit was in the interior court
lard CT q private house. A circular
Eencc CT slender sticks surrounded the
carefully lcvcled ground dedicated to
BIC carnage. Chairs surrounded it, and
shed, lhatched with palm leaves, shell.
Erred tho spot from the scorching rays
bf the sun. In gay attire the most re-
bpected matrons and maidens of tho
place were there, the performance being
eountenanced and partly provided by
The priest. A lively conversation was
Eept Up, ell present being acquainted.
The rcostcrs had been shorn of their
feathers, savo these of the wings and
tail. Each bird was weighed; thea
curved steel spurs were secured to the
humps of those provided by nature, but
which had been cut off. Quite suddenly
conversation ceases. Two birds are in
lhc ring. Tho struggle commences.
Heads lowered, eyes glaring. quivering
with rage, the heroes fly at each other.
Calculating that lis opponent has
jumped too high. the other one crouches,
avoids tho 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. Profting
by this weakness, his adversary follows
np the attack, but tho wounded one
Keeps an eye on his enemy, and not be-
Ing ready for him dodges, regains his
position and inficts wound. Both now
have difficulty in l:eeping on their feet,
though neither will yield. More wounds
IRE dealt. Eoth fall exhausted. One
rccovers, sees his foe PROSTATE, SO does
rot attack, but shakes his lowered head
md 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 III deadly strife keep cooler than
the audience. a moment arrives when
all tho hackers talk at once. Five dol
lars moro 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-
luily, makes sure he is dead, then mount
nlS on the PROSTATE form draws himsal
up with an cxultant cry of victory, just
IKE some gladiator of olden times.
All through the long summer after
nooa one battle succeeded another. The
Olros that survived were taken home to
u carefully tended until restored enough
10 light again. Even those that had lost
oAo or both eyes would fight if an oppor-
unity was given to them, for these birds
-fe SO 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
cut his triumphant roosters and called
," es to bear witness that the very one
ne h&d pointed out had proved itself that
tIay the greatest hero of them all."-New
\ oTS Tribune,