Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-03-03
SUNDAY. AMUSEMENT.
An Enthusiastic Lover Of Game boosters
Entertains His Congregation With Rare
Contests Between EeiiigFent Cocks.
One SUNDAYS Snort.

Entertains His Congregation With Rare
Contests Between EeiiigFent Cocks.
One Sundays Sport.
cit was in Mexican village" said the
explorer. "Great had been our surprise
the evening before when little after
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 enc 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 hamnlocks,
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
square.
Along the wall that stood at right an
giles with the front of the convent small
wooden stases had been driven in She
ground. To ench plumed warrior was
securely attached 81 . safe distance from
MS valiant compeers. Who could have
dared 10 utilize for such purpose tho
shade afforded by the wall Of the sacred
edifice: Another instant and we SHOULD
have voiced this thought. 1t is general
ly mistake to speak in hurry. The
good old priest had followed as and Mas
now at our side. Pointing lean brown
finger at y very proud looking rooster
lie said: That is the prince Of this lot.
though they viii all prove themselves
splendid fighters. | know. | have not
studied the creatures 40years fo; uothingo
So! They were his own property. Yes,
another five minutes talk made it plain
that the pet hobby OF this holy man was
cock fighting. We will call him Father
L. because it is not necessary to give
the name of cur kiyd host Fairly
launched on his favorito topic, he talked
away for n full hour and was ut
terly amazed. not TO say somewhat in
c-edulous, when informed that We had
never seen q professional tussle between
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 Ike it, and we enjoy the
harmless sport every Sunday afternoon
He intended no sarcasm.
"Nolens volens, when Sunday after
noon came, orr host. having laid aside
/ his sacerdotal robes after Celebrate
high mass, piloted us to the scene of &C.
| ton. The pit was in the interior court
yard of q private house. 4 circular
fence of slender sticks surrounded the
carefully leveied ground dedicated to
the carnage. Chairs surrounded it. and
4 shed, matched with palm leaves. shell
tered the spot from the scorching ravs
of the sun. In gay attire the most re-
spected matrons and Eaidens of the
place were there, the performance being
countenanced and partly provided by
the priest. y lively conversation was
kept Up. al present being acquainted.
The ROSTERS had been shoru of their
feathers, save those of the wings and
tail. Each bird was weighed: then
curved steel spurs were secured to the
stuInps of those provided by nature. but
which had been cut of. 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 ether 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 inficts wound. Both now
have difficulty in keeping on their feet,
though neither viii yield. More wounds
are dealt. Both fall exhausted. One
RECEIVERS. secs his foe PROSTATE, so does
not attack. but shakes his lowered head
and claws the ground in his fury. In
patiently he thirsts for the life of his
opponent. who. no less savage, regains
his feet, and with glazing eyes watches
every move OF his adversary.
THE enthusiasm Of their owners and
hackers increases as the wounds become
more rumerous--the excitement is in
tense, and bets run high. The creatures
engaged IL deadly strife keep cooler than
the audience. \ moment arrives when
all the hackers talk at once. Five dol
lars more on the white. 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. VIII he rise once more:
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 oldel times.
'All through the long summer after
noon one battle succeeded another. The
birds tina. survived were taken home 10
be carefully tended until restored enough
to fight again. Even those that had lost
one or both eyes would fight if an oppor-
tunity was given to them, for these birds
are SO ferociously brave that unless
wanted to6fght they have to be kept out
IF each others reach.
"At the D o'clock dinner in the con-