The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-12-22
CocKFIeHTtNG en- SPAIN.
An Amusement OaIy less brutal Than Gao
Strengthening OF Bulls.

An Amusement OaIy L.ess brutal Than Gao
Strengthening OF Bulls.
A recent article on cockfghting,
writes a correspondent, brings back
to my memory some Of the fights
have seen in Andalusia. There the
cockpit is second favorite to the
bull ring, and on Sunday morning
in the lower quarters of the big
towns many contest may be seen.
No women are admitted to these
fights, in which about 12 pairs Of
birds take part. Price of admission
TO the best seats is seldom more
than one peseta, and the chief sup.
| porters of the pastime are third rate
toreros, vaqueros. ganaderos. snug
glers and gypsies. The birds are,
for the most part, English. They are
very carefully reared and prepared
for the fight by the removal OF all
soft feathers from head and neck.
Only the primary fcathers are left
on the wings and the combs are
closely cropped.
When the birds have been weigh.
ed and put down in the pit. they
fence with outstretched necks, and
when they close there is big rat
tie from their quilts. They always
aim fer the head, and if they can
reach the place where the comb
once was they take big bite and
then jump up, tearing away the
flesh. AS might be expected, within
a very few minutes the blood
streams from each hend, and getting
into the birds eyes makes sight
very uncertain. Then they stagger
about and try to clear their eyes by
brushing them under the opponents 8
wing.
To the casual spectator who does
not know the deeper tragedy Of the
bull ring these fights are at first
very trying, and the ferocity and
determination Of the birds result in
splashing the pit posts with blood
Ultimately one gets home with q
fatal blow; the other falls, and the
victor. standing ever triumphantly,
peckS his enemy to death, often
succumbing from exhaustion while
SO engaged, for hard fight leaves
the victor nearly ae exhausted as
the vanquished. In q Spanish cook
fight the interest Of the spectators
is augmented by betting!
Sc s0on as the birds appear the
knowing ones make one of them a
favorite, laying very slight odds.
When the rally comes, the betting
varies, as the bird that succeeds in
drawing first blood has the better
chance The good judges keep per-
fectly cool; the amateurs get wildly
excited and plunge. Consequently
in a few moments the old hands
stand to win without risk of loss by
a little judicious hedging, while
their opponents are badly off. That
10 the time to SEQ the low class Span
lard in his most dangerous aspect.
He gcowls; he curses; sometimes his
hand wander0 to tho cash that hides
a deadly navajo. IF fortune smiles
and HE fancy manages 10 turn tine
tables, he is wild with excitement.
screaming and waving his hands
till the birds themselves are startled
by his vehemence.
When the t;sh. Is over, there is @
vel!ey CO oatiis from losers, follow
ed by a shower Of pesetas or douros
thrown from one part of the circle
to another with unerring aim. Un-
til the spectator who does not bet is
used to the Spanish cockpit there is
nec--ee excitement Inan amusement
in the rapid passage past his head
01 heavy silver dollars or in the
fury OF some man to whom is due
the silver that hits him and rolls
on to the sand The doctoring Of
wounded cooks who have won their
fight is very funny, but probably
most painful. Wounds are dressed
with raw spirits of wine, and long
feather dipped in brandy is thrust
far down the throat. II revival fol.
lows quickly. the bird is put away
for long rest; if the wounds be
very bad. a sharp knife puts period
to the victor's life. A Spanish cock.
tight is sight to be seen-at rare
:sterrvais.-Skstoh.
-fes
Clean Cove ksilk.
1t ss = terrible en<sEEaE, nsy@Ethe.