The Washington herald., 1908-03-15
.COCKFIGHTSPOPULAR
FilipinOs Will Wager Last
Peseta on Outcome.
GO FROM CHURCH TO THE PIT
Celebration in Honor of Patron
Saint Followed by Battles Between
Game Birds - Native Loves His
Rooster Better Than His Wife-One
Fowl Kills Three Others.

Tacloban, Leyte. p l.. Jan. 20.-For
the past ten days the natives of Leyte
have been celebrating the birthday Of
their patron saint. and from every domi-
clle hangs an American flag. The lesson
dealt out to the Pulajanes in the recent
insurrection has been thorough and
wholesome, and not a Katipunan flag nor
infiammatory Immediate independence"
banner was in evidence. Truly the
Twenty-feurth Infantry have done their
work well.
The fiestas in the islands are far too
numerous 10 bear in mind, but it is sig
niicant fact that nine out Of every ten
are religious anniversaries. Yesterday
was the fnal day Of the celebration, and
early in the morning the women dOnned
their gayIy eolored garments, adding a
somewhat somber effect to the costume
by black cape or shawl. trimmed with
heavy lace, reaching from the shoulders
below the waist. and a black headpiece
resembling the cap worn by the Vassar
law class.
They are all devout Catholics. and the
religious services lasted from 8 until 1879
a.
journed 10 the cockpit where a pro-
gramme had been arranged which would
satisfy the taste OF the most fastidious-
All OF the champion game cocks in this
section of the country had been matched
on this particular occasion, and the sport
was fast and furious.
Native a Natural Gambler.
The Filipino Is a natural gambler. and
will stake his last peseta on his favorite
bird, and then his house. furniture. and.
II need be. mis- wife and family. They
are hard losers. however. and will curse
their luck and their rival when unsuc-
cessful.
These cock fights are invariably to the
death. and there is no such thing as
quitting or retreating. as a game chicken
Will night as long as there is breath in
h.s body. They are taught 10 fight when
when quite young, and are put into the
pit before their spurs have a chance TO
grow, but this is remedied by fastening
bolos over their undeveloped spurs. these
bolos consisting Of steel spurs about an
inch and half I'm length, and sharp as
a needle. A fight rarely lasts over ten
minutes and the first successful blow
delivered by either fowl is almost in
variably fatal, as they become as skiuful
as two expert fencers with the foils.
Realizing this. the birds are taught 10
dodge feint. side step, clinch: IN fact.
all the tricks Of a successful pugilist. and
the contests are beautifully scientific until
you see q valiant bird stretched out in
death agony his life blood ebOing away
from two terrible wounds where the bolo
| has pierced the heart or brain. and
then the brutality of it ali forces itself
upon you
Loves Rooster More Than Wife.
The strange part OF il all is that a
Filipino loves his rooster better than
wife. child. or home. and cannot be con-
! soled when defeated: in fact several eases
Of suicide are on record here after a bat
tie lost. The birds are kept in the house
from infancy. sleeping and eating in the
same room and are pampered and pre-
pared until they resemble nothing so much
as a spoiled child while, hours at time
are spent in training and tOughening
/ them for the fray. one invariable custom
/ being 10 teach them 10 swim. and keeping
/ them in the water for about thirty min
utes every day. which develops the mus
I CleS and nerves.
/ lAtlt Was one game CoChs Nue nero OF
more than fifty battles. who defeated
/ three birds in rapid succession yester-
I day. he is the undispCted champion, and
/ his owner wagered 100 Pesos "a fortune
/ that ne could whip any three birds in the
| province in thirty minutes and ne did Il
with consummate ease. killing each riva
/ in less than five minutes or actual night
/ ing. and piercing them all with marvellous
/ deXterity. right through the brain.
He was a wonderful strategist, and
would wobble from side TO side and ac,
grOggy in true FitZimmons style, which
would encourage his adversary TO make
| z blind rush 10 finish him. only 10 meet
/ a sudden leap IN the air and a lightning
| like thrust home Of the steel spurs that
meant requiscat in pace. The yell that
went I'D when he had disposed Of the last
J OF his three opponents and stood Growing
/ over the bloody carcase would have done
/ justice TO a battle royal at the polo
ground between the Giants and Cubs.
/ EDWIN : GEE