The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-10-26
A SUNDAY BATTLE.
The Mexican Priest Sends His Birds to
the Cock Fight.

the Cock Fight.
at was in a Mexican village" said
the explorer. "Great had been our
surprise the evening before, when a
little after o'clock we rode into the
public square, up to the door OF the
convent. and observed a long line of
game cocks guarding one side of the
great church. Well, that was our first
Impression. Closer inspection made
things palmer. In the convent, resi-
dence of only the priest and his rela-
tions, we hung our hammocks, rested
awhile, refreshed the inner man with
tortillas and black beans, then went
forth to investigate the feathered regl-
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 angles with the front of the
convent small wooden stakes had been
driven in the ground. To each q
plumed warrior was securely attached
at safe distance from his valiant COM
peers. Who could have dared to utilize
for such purpose the shade afforded
by the wall of the sacred ediiice? An
other instant and we should have
voiced this thought. 1t is generally
a mistake to speak in hurry.
The good old priest had followed us
and was now at our side. Pointing
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, I
know! 1 have not studied the creatures
forty years for nothingr So! They
were his own property! Yes another
five minutes talk made it plain that
the pet hobby of the holy man was
cock-fghting! We will call him Father
f., because it is not necessary to give
the name of our kind host. Fairly
launched on his favorite topic, he
talked away for full hour and was
utterly amazed, not to say somewhat
incredulous, when informed that we
had never seen a professional tussle be-
tween those birds SO 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 it and
we enjoy the harmless sport every Sun
day afternoon He intended no sar-
casm.
"Nolens volens, when Sunday after
noon came our host, having laid aside
his sarcerdotal robes, after celebrat ting
high mass, piloted us to the scene Of
action. The pit was in the interior
courtyard of a private house. A cir
cular fence of slender sticks surrounded
the carefully levelled ground dedicated
to the carnage. Chairs surrounded it,
and shed, matched with palm leaves,
sheltered the spot from the searching
rays of the sun. In gay attire the
most respected matrons and maidens Of
the place were there, the performance
being countenanced and partly pro-
vided by the priest. A lively CONVERSE
ton was Bept up, all present being
The ROSTERS had been
shorn of their feathers, save those Of
the wings and tail. Each bird was
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 strug-
gle commences. Heads lowered, eyes
glaring, quivering with rage, the
heroes fly at each other. Calculating
that his opponent had 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 striving to deal
his adversary mortal blow. One 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 being ready
for him, lodges, regains his position
and inficts wound. Both now have
difficulty in keeping on their feet,
though neither will yield. More
wounds are dealt. Both fall exhausted.
One RECEIVERS, sees his foe PROSTATE, so
does not attack, but shakes his low
cred head and claws the ground in his
fury. Impatiently he thirsts for the life
VI lis OppOuenu, WIN, III lCoo obNdSC,
regains his feet, and with glazing eye
watches every move of his adversary.
"The enthusiasm of their owners and
hackers increases as the wounds be-
come more numerous; the excitement
is intense 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 dollars more on the white!
Ten on the canelor 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 examined victim
very distrustfully, makes sure he is
dead, then, mounting on the PROSTATE
form, draws himself up with an exult-
ant cry of victory, just like some glad
iator of olden times.
Gall through the long summer after
noon one battle succeeded another.
The birds that survived were taken
home to be carefully tended until re-
stored enough to fight again. Even
those that had lost one or both eyes
would fight if an opportunity was given
to them, for these bir DIS are so fero-