The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-26

Roughly Ietiered posters Of wrapping
,s,er for weeks had announced that a
cowboy tournament and Fiesta Nell
cana would be held on New Year Day
al Aguas Callente.
sineiy and in groups, on horseback
ana In four mule wagons newcomers
arrive every minute. Among mem az
"a few women. who join The H'''e NM
~ their friends gosslpln9 on 'ne I"ise"
yorauda OF the hotel. The men hdtui-
auv gravitate toward the nearest pat'
After taking the edge OF their CHROME
fbirafe b, means Of dubious Wh'skeN'
they hand their heavy pistols 10 'ne
proprietOr. Who places Them WIN pie
81 their fellows ON bench b'hihd ih'
lar This BIZ iu accordance WIN q 'et-
rlforial law. strictly enforced, Whlch re-
euircs every man 90 disarm wiihin thllly
minutes after entering a settlement
sor,o az the men, however. remove the
,-,,os from thoir belts only 90 stick them
In the Wristbands OF their trousers. While
the cartridge-belts and empty holsters
are ostcntatiOusly worn as delusive tNi-
dcncc OF good faith
A deputy sheriff easily disingu.shable
d. ths fact that he DIS NisiDy armed
mounts an empty s0ap-noN ana am
Iounces the commencement OF the sports
A chickcn-pulllug, he says. Is 10 De 'he
first event.
In fr.nt OF the yoranda where the wo-
mon have taken their stand, "a hitle
bolc has been dug An unfortunate
rooster. loudly protesting IS placed IN
this hole. and The earth IS gently tam
ned 10 secure him. leaving only his head
and neck above the surface OF the
ground. Fifty yards back are gathered
tho contestants. molatsd on Wify cow
ponies.
THE deputy sheriff raises his hand
hall grown youth claps his bie spurs 10
his horses sides and starts no fun speed
toward the buried fowl Discneaging one
stirrup. No. throws himself ont Of his sad
die. and supported by the ron aiming sur
rup and stcadicd by the other SPUR,
which he has hooked around tho high
camille Of his saddle, he reaches for the
chickens head as he passes il. The head
lodges him Clcvcrly. The next IN tuin,
an exceedingly small boy, mounted on
pony Of corresponding size, is more for
tunate. Followed 10y the cheers OF the
spectators. he gallops away waving the
nuttering bird around his head.
This game. which certainly is rather
rough on poultry. IS continued until the
FIRST contestant. who in the meantime
has secured two chickens. makes
fourth attempt. lie throws himself over,
but as he does so the spur-leather that
partially supports him gives way To
save himself he clutches az the neck Or
his pony, this throws HIM well forward,
and no falls. with "a cry, directly I'm front
Of the galloping hoofs The little horse
tries 10 stop. but Is going TOO fast. and
tripping on the bodB of his master plants
both knees full on his chest The pony
sorambles 20 his feet. but the boy lies
where he fen. Tie is carried. unconscious
into a neighboring saloon. and finally
revived. but the interest I'm this particu-
lar sport seems 20 have warod. The de-
putty calls tho first Tace-"to take the
taste out of our mouths he says.
Those who have horses mount them,
and the few who have not troop along
on foot 80 n stretch Of sun-baked adobe
clay. where a quarter-mile siraightaway
course has been laid out. The horses
that are 20 run in the first heat are be-
ing led up and down, and already they
are cleared for action. They are all
cow-ponies, and the method OF preparing