Evening star., 1898-07-30

seen in India, and I've knocked about the
blessed country for the last five years,
said Captain Norris. as he lit a cheroot
with one hand and with the other twisted
an end Of his waxed mustache. 'It carries
one back to the past don't you think
Quite So assented his companion. Mat
thew Quin. Its like living picture from
the Arabian Nights, wit a suggestion of
modern Spain and ancieIt Rome in the
days Of Nero thrown in. I'm glad l came
with you. Norris; l wouldn't have missed
# for a good bit. Our host is prOdigal
fellow, and prince of entertainers"
Yes; the rajah knows thing or two
replied the captain. He has the true
sporting blood in his veins; I'll say that
for him. But 1 wish the show would COM
mence. 1t will be splendid fight, if all re-
ports are true
1T is a relic of barbarism though" said
Quin; ''and l don't believe the government
will allow repetition of it
The time was morning in the cool sea-
son, and the place the residence of
Runjeet Singh, Rajah of kOlat, whose
diminutiye state lay between the south
western extremity of Hyderabad and the
northwestern corner of the presidency of
Madras Though he was under British
troll, and paid large annual sum to the
crown. the Tajah's surplus revenues made
him the richest native prince in India. AS
the descendant of fierce and warlike race,
he inherited the spirit of his ancestors, and
this found vent in passion for sport, a
love OF combat and killing, which went at
times to cruel extremes. He had splen-
did menagerie of wild beasts, and his chief
delight was to pit them against one an
other Such a spectacle to be wit
messed that morning by the rajah and his
invited guests-a fight TO the death between
a Spanish bull and an African lion. import
ed al great cost from Madrid and Sene-
gambia.
Quin and the officer had come together,
having driven twelve miles in dog cart
- - fEV r-FRr7- will
plain how Karl Hamrach * Co.'S agent
happened 10 be present. With a party of
native shikarees and English assistants, he
was rapplng Wild animals in q jungle over
the Madras border; and while on a visit to
the nearest military cantonment he met
Captain Norris. a friend of his earlier
years The Tajah had just sent an invita-
uon to the captain and a brother officer
and as the latter was unable to get leave
OF absence, Quin gladly agreed to go in his
place.
Both men had heard much of Runjeet
Singhs shows, and they knew what a rare
and coveted privilege they were about to
enjoy The scene before their eyes as they
waited impatiently, was one that no other
country in the world could have shown
and 1t was unique even for I1dia-a picture
OF men color and variety. OF fascinating
novelty and charm In front of them and
down below. was the huge arena which the
rajah had built within Il year or TWO. 1t
was bounded by a ten-foot wall above
which. surrounding the oblong space rose
tiers upon tiers of seats These We're bv
no means HIleO, but they held an audience
OF some three hundred people.
Many We're Engiishmen living in the i'm
mediate neiShborhood-civfI magistrates
Planters. government officials. officers of the
garrison. and the British resident and his
suite Forty or fifty of the rajah's ser
wants Occupied place specially set apart
for them, and straight across from 0uin
and Captain Norris sat Runiaet Singh him,
SELF hne-loOkng man in the prime of life
gHttertns with jewels. and arrayed in white
ana CRIMSON Right and LETT of him, as
richly dressed and bejeweled. were a num-
Der OF HindOOs of rank and social Droni-
nence. several of whom were attended by
an escort of native soldiery bristling with
weapons that had seen service on many a
battlefield Of the rast cent y and clad in
motley but picturesque uni )rms
In the center of the arena and occurving
considerable portion of it, was a gigantic
iron cage. forty feet or more In diameter
This was to protect the audience and ii
Was a necessary pIecaution. 1t had several
doors that faced the two entrances on
eltner side of the arena. Overhead q vast
awning was stretched to protect the audi
ence from the heat of the sun beneath
which. at one end. could be seen the carved
towers and minarets. the tiled balconies
and latticed windows Of the rajah's pal
ace.
''Ah, now the sport will beginr' exclaimed
Captain Norris, as a trumpet blast was
heard. IN lay you two to one on the
lion
Il don't care to bet replied Quin. but
If l was so inclined, 1 should certainly back
the bull
You would lose my dear fellow. The
Hon killed buffalo fortnight ago. How
ever, shall see
Again the trumpet pealed. and the gates
on both sides of the arena flew open. Amid
loud applause two cages Were trIndled for
ward by native attendants and put in no.
sition at the opposite entrance to the big
hon-framed incloSCre SO that their doors
faced each other. The lion was the first
to be liberated. end the instant it's sliding
door was drawn 1t sprang with a roar into
the ring As insOlently as though ii was
in its native wilds of Senegambia the
tawny brute paced round and round several
times, and then lay down opposite the bulls
door
The rajah made a signal, and the second
cage was thrown open. The Spanish bull
magnificent creature nearly coal-black
was out as quick as lightning. With low
ere0 head, il dashed at the lion which
raised itself and lifted its paws to meet the
attack For an instant the two animals
were blended in one movi-g mass. Then
the lion shot through the ali and fell heav-
fly on the sand.
laundering shouts arose from the spec
tators, and Quin and the captain could
scarcely restrain their excitement. The
bull, needless Of the tumult. made a few
steps backward and waited on guard But
finding that the attack was not renewed
he plunged forward again, upset his enemy.
and rolled the enraged brute to and fro.
The Hon whose rCars seemed to shake the
very canopy overhead, finally twisted
around. and fastened with teeth and claws
on its antagonists hind quarter The bull,
believing with pain and fury, lashed out
repeatedly. The lion was unable to with
stand the kicks; II let go its hold and
bounded across the ring. An indescribable
uproar followed, some cheering animal
and some the other.
Bravo. bravo:' cried Captain Norris
''Hurrah for the bull! By Jove. Quin, be-
leve you are rightI'
1T was a foregone conclusion replied
Quin. Il have seen Spanish bulls fight on
several occasions. and l would back one
against any lion. The finish is not far of
row.
The prediction was verified even sooner
than he had expected With a savage roar,
the lion turned and leapt at its enemy.
But the bull was prepared, and met the at
tack with lunging horns, tossing the king
OF beasts high in the air. The lion rose
slowly, bruised and bleeding and covered
with dust Its spirit was broken, and ii
had no desire to prolong the combat Like
D whipped hound. it skunk around the ring
afraid to venture past the bull to reach its
cage.
u expected a different result" said Cap
tain Norris Il wish they would have an