Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-06-08
BULL FIGHTS In
Nol 50 BRUTAL AS THE SPAN
iSH CONTESTS.
- missionary the First to Describe These
'ohoats-A Source of Pleasure to
NaJahs aud Subjects for
Many Years.

Inc ordinary bull fight which forms
lhe chief amusement of the Standards
ounans and Mexicans, has been de-
scrlped so often that there is not a
.estlge OF novelty left, but the manner
IN winch such fights are conducted in
INDIA Is quite a novelty in its way.
The Rev. Hobart Counter, who was n
missionary in that country for MANY
years was probably the first European
TO describe such a combat, since which
tlme II has been occasionally referred
to by travellers.
Ihese lights have proved a source
OF pleasure to the raiahs and their
subjects for many years, and are still
IN vogue in many districts of India.
Inc thoroughly trained animals en-
ployed are usually the property of
wandering jugglers, who lind in them
a source of income sufficient for all
their wants. No special fee is required
OF the spectators, but at the conclusion
OF the fight they are rewarded with a
small gratuity from each.
The animals, which are very fierce.
are about the size of an ordinary AL
derney bull, and are always kept in
nrst-class condition. They are OF a
special breed, having little, if any re-
semblance to the ordinary sacred pull
OF India, having no hump between the
shoulders. A noticeable peculiarly
Is the shortness of their forelegs and
the great depth from the upper part Of
the shoulder to the extremity of the
neck. Having extremely low loins,
this over-development of the fore
quarter gives to the hind legs the ap-
pearance OF being a great deal too long.
Ihat they were very powerful is in
dicated by their immensely thick
necks, while in strong contrast are
their delicately small heads.
When there, is to be a fight, the
owners of the bulls lead them into an
|improvised ring, when they Immediate
Iy give evidence Of their pugnacious
nature by believing loudly and paving
the ground in a furious manner. Being
secured by ropes passed around their
heads and noses, they are dextrously
kept apart for some time, in order to
allow them to work themselves into a
Sufficient fury TO insure a desperate
conflict.
They r led toward each other
until but n few feet intervene between
them, and then with a sudden jerk of
the rope are hauled backward with
such force as to almost throw them to
their launches. A few repetitions of
this advancing and r%etreating is suf-
ficient to work them into o state OF
ungovernable rage. The ropes are
now slipped from their heads and the
combat begins.
For a minute or two they survey
each other with dilated nostrils and
flashing eyes. They run wildly around
in a circle before coming in contact,
cautiously watching for any advantage
that may be presented. Suddenly they
come face to face, pausing for an in
slant and then with heads lowered,
rush madly together. 1t occasionally
happens that one or the other fails to
withstand the shock, and is forced up
on his launches, but, generally speak
ing, their horns become locked, and
then begins a fierce struggle for SUI
premacy. So carefully are they trained
that seldom, if ever, is either gored
during the fight, each dexterously
avoiding the vicious thrusts made by
his opponent, and trying, with all his
strength, to throw him broadside on
the ground. The deadlock is at last
loosened, and each retreats rap
idly backward a few steps and then
rushes impetuously forward as before,
but this time with even greater force.
This is usually repeated several times
and as a matter of course one or the
other grows weaker and begins to re-
treat. This is quickly recognized by
his antagonist who appears to gather
additional strength, and with a tre-
mendous rush generally succeeds in
forcing the vanquished gladiator upon
his launches. At this the keepers
quickly step forward, and striking the
victor on the nose with a heavy bam-
boo stick compel him TO desist, and
passing the rope V his horns, lead
him away.
Thus ends this very peculiar COM
bat. which is devoid of all the eX-
tremely brutal and bloody incidents
which characterize an ordinary ball
c-1t