THE GAME FOWL. 231 



from their decision there lies no appeal, except the Gothic ap- 

 peal to the sword. A person losing, and who has not the ability 

 to pay, is immediately proscribed, departs with disgrace, and is 

 never again suffered to appear at the galangang. This cannot 

 with propriety be translated, a Cock-pit, as it is generally a 

 spot on the level ground, or a stage erected and covered in. It 

 is inclosed with railing which keeps off the spectators ; none 

 but the handlers and heelers being admitted withinside. A 

 man who has a high opinion of and regard for his Cock, will 

 not fight him under a certain number of dollars, which he 

 places in order on the floor; his poor adversary is perhaps 

 unable to deposit above one-half : the standers-by make up the 

 sum, and receive their dividends in proportion, if successful. 

 A father, at his death-bed, has been known to desire his son 

 to take the first opportunity of matching a certain Cock, for a 

 sum equal to his whole property, under a blind conviction that 

 he was betooali, or invulnerable. 



" Cocks of the same colour are never matched, but a grey 

 against a pile, a yellow against a red, or the like. This might 

 have been originally designed to prevent disputes, or knavish 

 impositions. The Malay breed of Cocks is much esteemed by 

 connoisseurs who have had an opportunity of trying them. 

 Great pains is taken in the rearing and feeding ; they are fre- 

 quently handled, and accustomed to spar in public, in order to 

 prevent any shyness. Contrary to our laws, the owner is 

 allowed to take up and handle his Cock during the battle ; to 

 clear his eye of a feather, or his mouth of blood. When a Cock 

 is killed, or runs, the other must have sufficient spirit and 

 vigour left to peck at him three times, on his being held to 

 him for that purpose, or it becomes a drawn battle ; and some- 

 times an experienced cocker will place the head of his van- 

 quished bird in such an uncouth posture, as to terrify the othei, 

 and render him unable to give this proof of victory. The 

 Cocks are never trimmed, but matched in full feather. The 



