220 THE GAME FOWL. 



of his antagonist, but quite silent ; and old Nash examined him 

 most carefully, by the paper, and delivered him up to Flem- 

 ing, upon finding him answer to his description. The setters- 

 to then smoothed their birds, and handled them, wetted their 

 fingers, and moistened their bandaged ankles, where the spurs 

 were fastened ; held them up opposite to each other, and then 

 pampered their courage and prepared them for combat. 



THE FIGHT. 



The mat was cleared of all persons except Fleming and 

 young Nash ; the betting went on vociferously ; the setters-to 

 taunted the birds with each other's presence allowed them to 

 strike at each other at a distance put them on the mat facing 

 each other encouraged and fed their crowing and mantling, 

 until they were nearly dangerous to hold, and then loosened 

 them against each other, for the fatal fight. 



The first terrific dart into attitude was, indeed, strikingly 

 grand and beautiful ; and the wary sparring, watching, dodg- 

 ing for the first cut, was extremely curious. They were beak- 

 point to beak-point, until they dashed up into one tremendous 

 flirt, mingling their powerful, rustling wings, and nervous 

 heels, in one furious, confused mass. The leap, the fire, the 

 passion of strength, certaminis gaudia, were fierce and loud : 

 the parting was another kind of thing, every way. I can com- 

 pare the sound of the first flight to nothing less than that of a 

 wet umbrella forced suddenly open. The separation was death- 

 like : the yellow, or rather the ginger bird, staggered out of 

 the close, drooping, dismantled, bleeding : he was struck. 



Fleming and Nash severally took their birds, examined them 

 for a moment, and then set them again opposite to each other. 

 The handling of the Cocks was as delicate as if they had been 

 made of foam, froth, or any perishable matter. Fleming's 

 bird staggered towards his opponent, but he was hit dreadfully, 



