The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-28
Sport Holds High Favor In tho
Land Of the GTeas0rs.
MANY WHO MAKE IT A TRADE.
Many Fortunes Are Won and Lost All
Over the Land on Battles Between
the fsaihsred Fighters.

termed los galos, just as bull nghts are
called Los toros. and at all the popular
hcstas they are only second In favor ~
the latter. A good game cock often costs
as much as horse. but this is not saying
much, as fair saddle pony is frequently
sold for SIC or even less, while game
cock may bring $50 and occasionally sioo.
The usual price paid. however is from
sle 10 so according 10 weight, breed, and
past record of the strain as fighters. The
best cocks come from the United States,
ard hundreds are shipped into Mexico
during the year. being In constant de-
mand during the ncstas. which are al
ways In progress in one part or another
There are also many cocks bred here,
the hens being largely japanese.
The cocks are cared for by trainers,
who feed, clean and exercise them as res
ularly as a Jockey does "a running horse
Their house Is In reality stable, each
cock having his own stall with his name
above g. as III Garrean Crhe Sparrow,
Chsto tSnub Nose). Tesorero (freasurer),
Moreno CBrune). Tirante lTyran). Cato
tCatl, and so on
A champion Is called "El Mauser" In
these little stalls the cocks eat, drink.
and sleep. being fastened by cord 10
ring In the floor. Every morning they
aer taken out for run. one at a time,
and each has half an hour in the dirt
box. 90 roll and dust himself.
When not lighting they are fed once a
day. about sundawn, when they have all
the wet corn they can eatj. in individual
pans. set in the stalls. They are then
watered and the inner rooster being sat
ished each cuddies down I'm his stall and
goes 20 sleep Their spurs have been cut
for their own comfort in sleeping, and 10
prevent their hurting themselves.
QUEER DIET FOR RooSTERs.
In trimming the combs, a curious Gus
tom prevails. The piece cut OF is sliced
into bits with jack-knife and fed ito
its former owner, who, with the blood
dripping from it's newly short crest, de-
cours II with avidity. frequently clucking
cordial invitation to the hens TO come
and join him.
This is surely game. Every well-ar-
ranged stable has a medicine chest, with
remedies for smallpox. diphtheria, and
the various bird Diseases, and the cocks
sre carefully attended when sick.
On the eve OF fight the warriors are
fed 0n tortilas soaked In milk, and raw
meat with sherry. Very little water is
given the idea prevailing that they bleed
less II wounded The cocks are seldom
fought before they are two years old
Many never live TO fight second time.
yet they enter the arena jauntily, with
heads up. pumes waving. and Growing
Justify.
There Is something admirable i'm the
general department OF the lighting cock,
and he seldom knows when he f. licked
Some cocks 40 through five and six
battles. their wounds being clean-cut and
easily healed on this account.
Los gallos are usually held In a small
plaza, surrounded by seats like a rnihis-
turc bull ring An orchestra dispenses
lively music. while peon stands IN the
rlng and shouts at the top of his lungs
announcing the next event, and urging
the spectators TO place their bets-in any
amount from Is cents 10 500, or even
more.
Heavy players stake az high as 5000 on
a single fight. While the bets are making
the birds are weighed being us,ended
from the scales by means OF little sur
cingles Each trainer has small box
filled with knives. and from this he now
selects one. slender sharp as "a razor
and curved like a tiny mache,e.
The length ranges from three 20 four
inches. according 20 the weight of the
bird. The trainer tries the knife on his
palm, coolly lifting the skin with it's
point. aud finding one 10 his liking fast
ems IL To the birds right foot. which has
first been wrapped with piece of soft
lea ther at the ankle.
Knives. rejected for one reason or an
other, adorn the trainers hat tucked
back OF the band. and sometimes during
a hot contest, he grabs his hat excitedy,
and cuts himself
ENCOURAGING BIRDS TO FIGHT.
7'he knives ia place. the cocks are
patted on the back. pinchcd. and pokcd al
each other. cor allowed To peck once or
twice at some outsider. 10 make them
mad Some trainers. from mysterious
motives. spit on their heads. Meantime,
. square has been drawn on the ground
and auauered. The birds are put down
at corners uiagonaliy opposite. and ,let
80.
They ny al each other. and not infre-
duently one drops at the nrst shock. The
battle seldom lasts over one TO two min
utes. The proof of a BIRDS being unable
10 80 or Is his inability 20 stand. n both
fan. tnty are held up face Go fuce, and
81 each continues 20 show signs OF COM
batiscress. II is called "A draw.
The rooster WHO turns tail and runs
away ~ az The mercy OF the crowd who
usually claim their pr,rOgatlve and kill
him with sticks. There iS Invariably
nispute az the end OF n hgh;. hut the
judge gives his opinion. and the combat
Snts subside.
singular feature OF Jos gallos is the
aA"fNfNA AHNINbh'NlffiN OF NNHt ~ fAiic1
gSlu-gallina. meaning roostcr-hen.
IL ~ rooster with the comb and plumage
OF a hen. and Il has unfalling advantage
over us opponent. who mistakes his ad-
versary until too late 20 defend himself
IL " noi infrequcnt 90 see woraen II
the pueblo AZ cock light. stalking their
money With the resi- u IS curious
sight The orchestra plays plcrriiy. the
peopir est smoke. gossip. and make their
<,fW in The interim. while night follows
nght in rapid Succession Around the
iopInast seats are more roosterS. tied at
Intervals. growing denanuy AZ they walt
fheir turn
Many men make cOrk lighting a hnsl-
resf. When the flesis Is over ln ono town
bs birds are tucSsd away IN their little
hasf"t-ilke receptacles aud shipped on
50 ths next. The poor neon Win but one
bird. frequently smurgies him through ga
the third-clasr car. tucked awnr beneath
his blanket The birds get tame from
constant handling and lie efill ~ mice
Among The men who follow the ruost-
~ are some who have lost fortunes az
the spCrf. but who refuse 10 abandon
~ The fringo attending los ealiOs for
ths frat time n Impressed by Tho sisht