218 THE GAME FOWL. 



substitutes intruded. The following sketch of a set-to, is from 

 the pen of a celebrated amateur : 



The only persons allowed on the platform are the setters-to. 

 The first I shall name Nash ; the younger ; he was followed by 

 a stout, plump, old, ostler-looking man, named Nash, the elder. 

 This person carried a white bag, containing one of the brave 

 birds for the battle. The two men stepped upon the mat ; the 

 hubbub is instantaneous tl Two to one on Nash" <c A guinea 

 on Nash' 7 " Nash a crown ;" the bets are laid on the setter- 

 to. From the opposite side of the pit, a similar procession 

 entered ; the setter-to, Fleming, by name, did not appear so 

 great a favourite as young Nash. The chuckle of the Cock in 

 his bag was answered deeply and savagely from the other, 

 and the straw seemed spurned in the narrow cell. 



Nash's bag was carefully untied, and Nash himself took out 

 one of the handsomest birds I think I ever beheld ; he was a 

 red and black bird ; slim, masculine, trimmed, yet with feath- 

 ers glossy, as though the sun shone only on his nervous wings ; 

 his neck arose out of the bag, snake-like terrible as if it 

 would stretch upwards to the ceiling ; his body followed com- 

 pact, strong, and beautiful ; and his long, dark-blue, sinewy 

 legs came forth clean, handsome, shapely, determined, iron- 

 like ! The silver spur was on each heel, of an inch and a half 

 in length, tied on in the most delicate and neat manner ; his 

 large, vigorous beak showed aquiline, eagle-like ; and his black, 

 dilating eyes took in all around him, and shone so intensely 

 brilliant, that they looked like jewels ; their light was that of 

 thoughtful, sedate, and savage courage \ his comb was cut close 

 his neck trimmed ; his wings clipped, pointed, and strong ; the 

 feathers on his back were of the very glossiest red, and ap- 

 peared to be the only ones which were left untouched ; the tail 

 was docked triangle-ways, like a hunter's. The gallant bird 

 clucked defiance, and looked as if he " had in him something 

 dangerous I" Nash gave him to Fleming, who held him up 



