Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1903-02-12

seconds dropped the birds and drew
back. The crowd watched the crouch.
ing fowls breathlessly, and with
bullying eyes. Z.
1t had been the custom of Gallo
Blanco to spring ut his adversary 81
most as soon as he touched the
ground. This was the secret of his
success, for the gaffs used in the
Philippines are three or four inches
long and razor-edged; consequently.
the cock who gets in the first blow
usually puts his opponent hors lie
combat.
The Gallo Blanco crouched with
head forward, neck feathers bris.
tied, just an instant too long. The
brown bird of Malate sprung upon
him like fash. There was
blurred tangle of brown and white,
and a little cloud of gray dust. When
it subsidized the Gallo Blanco faced
his adversary wabbling unstead-
lily, while little scarlet stream
spurted over his glossy white feath-
ers. A deep groan and storm OF
impreca tions came from the Quiapo
people. The Gallo Blanco made
last weak attempt to reach his foe,
stumbled and rolled over dead.
In the pandemonium of cheers and
curses several Quiapo men leaped into
the pit. One of them, old Alessandro,
the shoemaker, an expert on cock
fighting, seize1 the body of the Gallo
Blanco and examined it infinitely.
Suddenly he waved his hand for 81.
lence, his wrinkled face distorted
with rage.
His leg is broken" he shouted in
Tugalo. ''Isadoro has crippled him.
There was a general movement to-
ward the pit, but the old man cried
out just in time: Back! Remember
that the American soldiers are here.
We can do nothing. Let us 60 to
the Widow Mercado and get her to
make an accusation to the American
officials"
The Quiapo portion of the crowd be-
gan to file out of the Enclosure. "Come,
you pig, and son of pig" said
Alessandro to the dazed lsadoro;
''come, or knife in the back to you,
speedily"
Isadoro followed him like one in
trance. Now and then he muttered
through cracked lips: 'Dios! I did
not do it. My king, oh, my king"
Maria, the daughter of the baker,
spat upon him as he passed her.
''Animal!" she cried, furiously. Isa-
doro had been tried and found guilty.
At the official trial numerous witt
nesses would be produced to swear
that they saw him cripple the bird,
and he would be sent to Bilibid prison
for several years. The people oi
Quiapo had been impoverished
through the deed, and wanted salts"
faction. If they had lost fairly, they
would have borne it philosophically
for the Filipinos are "good gamblers"
but to lose through apparent treact.
cry reused their fury to the highest
pitch.
Were it not for the fact that se>.
eral of the older men realized that
the American authorities were I'm.
reasonable enough to set a higher
value on q human life than that of u
game-cock, Isadoro would have been
disposed of long before they reached
the beno stand.
my little ones will starve,"
shrieked a mother of many; "all we
had was on the Gallo Blanco. Kill
the traitor!" And others echoed the
cry of ''Kill."
The widow was serving Private
Smith, of the Manila constabulary.
with contraband liquid when tn.
procession arrived. At sight of the
khaki uniform most Of the crowd
drew back.
Sonora" said the old shoemaker,
with forced calmness, "Isadoro Grip.
pied the Gallo Blanco, and he was
killed. Come with us to the court
and make complaint
Isadoro cast look of mute appeal
at the widow. 1t was entirely su-
perfluous. She shrugged her lean
mahogany shoulders. 1T may be
true, or it may not" said the widow.
HuACVAJS Out Will uOL ludkc COM
plant The Gallo Blanco was mine.
Vamos. or I will tell the policeman
to drive you away"
She laid her hand gently on Isa-
doro's shoulder and drew him into
the little nipa hut. With muttered
curses the crowd withdrew.
"To-night," announced the widow,
1--WE will 60 to the padre at the
Church of Nostra Sonora del Quiapo
to be married."
Isadoro drew back from her with
curse. He looked into that unat.
tractive face with something much
akin to hatred. IF not" added the
widow, with a look of determination.
II will tell the policeman to take
you"
Then Isadoro realized that he was
chained to her by circumstances, and
that, save for her, he had no friend
in all the Philippines. Also, Bilibii