The Washington herald., 1908-05-29

a craps game In another place a party
opened a game OF poker. Craps seemed
the more popular. and soon the circle
was enlarged, until considerable sums
were at stake on each shoot" The at
tempt OF one individual 10 arouse inter
est in sweat" failed miserably, and he
soon gathered up his kit to await a more
opportune time.
When the promoters were satisfied that
they were far enough down the river,
all hands were called 10 the central sa-
loon. The pit. only recently built was
about twelve feet square, with sawdust
sprinkled on the floor. Every seat was
soon occupied, and those who were not
fortunate enough TO get chairs built
bleachers around the wall by placing
boards on boxes. The ceiling was lost IN
a mist OF smoke. and the place soon be-
came so hot that men were continually
leaving the saloon TO get breaths OF
fresh air. Behind blanket that had
been nailed up some one found n window,
and when this had been lowered n re-
freshlng breeze made II possible 10 i've
In the place.
The usual caution that order would be
maintained was given out by a huge in
dividual wearing a sombrerO. who was
addressed as the Colonel and who
acted as master OF ceremonies.
Red Turns Tail.
A red bird and gray one were placed
In the pit for the first battle. As they
danced about the ring as pugilists are
wont to spar for openings. their steel
spurs cleaned in the electric light. They
rose for a flight; the gray took a peck
AT the reds comb, and drew blood. The
red turned tail
This ended the first round, and during
the intermisslOn their human seconds
grabbed the birds. and. with whisky
soaked fingers, rubbed the backs and legs
OF their champions. The handlers blew
into the mouths and combs Of the birds
until time was called.
At the beginning OF the second round
the gray started 10 rush matters. The
fight was too hot for the red, and, with
a cackle. he flew 10 a perch for safety.
The bout was Immediately awarded TO the
gray, and there was ripple Of dissastis-
faction as the crowd said the go had been
too tame.
A few more preliminaries and the big
bout between the two magnificent red
birds began. The big fellows wore Ions
steel gaffs. as long as the blades OF 2n
/ ordinary pocket knife. with edges as keen
as razOrs. Wings and tails were cropped
and their handlers pronounced them III
/ for the clash that, according 10 the
claims OF the owners, was to decide thC
triple championship Of the District OF Co.
| Iumbia, Maryland, and Virginia
Threaten Noisy Individual.
There was more excitement in the frs
minute Of this bout than there had beer
in all of the other goes Time after time
the Colonel yelled for silence. but ordel
was not fully restored until he had sin
gled out one particularly loud indlvIdua
and warned him that he would be chaseC
onto the deck unless he remained quiet
This had the desired effect upon every
body, as all seemed to have healthy re
gard for the fighting abilities of the on
in charge.
Hardly mad the champions been thrown
into the pit than they sprang for tn
flight, pecking at each other, and slash
ing with their well-sharpened spurs unit
their toes struck the dust, when the
sprang at each others combs, evidentl
hoping TO win a quick victory. AS the
parted their eyes were almost closed wit
blood flowing from the wounds made b
the deadly steel.
Soon one was winded and was appar
emily on the verge of collapse, but, Wit
the gameness characteristic of his spe
cies, refused 20 admit defeat and one
more flew at his antagonist.
Both birds were now CORY. The ST
letto-like blades were doing the wor
that delighted the three hundred. To tn
uninitiated IL appeared as though tn
fight would soon end, but these bird
knew not the meaning Of quit.
Head All but Severed.
The one whose wind seemed less al
fected forced the fight. making figh
after flight. The wearied cock, covcre
with blood. defended himself in gran
shape, jumping aside as his opponen
rose to strike. Without the least warn
ing, the tide OF battle turned in an in
stant. when the aggressor sprang for
ward, only TO catch on the throat IN
tearing strike OF the weaker birds spul
His head was all but severed from hi
body, the crowd smiling its approval a
the bird fell back TO the sawdust.
The other fighter, with blood stream
ing from many wounds. stood agains
the side OF the pit with not enoug
strength 10 move. BY this time tn
sports" were yelling themselves hoars