THE ISLAND OF MOMBASA 29 



competition. The German, while resting, prefers 

 to play cards, or sing, or sit in his long easy chair 

 with the children playing about. The Englishman 

 likes to compete in feats of strength and takes to 

 deck sports as a duck takes to water. I don't know 

 who started it, but some one organized deck sports 

 on the Woermann, and after we left Aden the 

 sound of battle raged without cessation. Some of 



The Cock Fight 



the competitions were amusing. For instance, 

 there was the cockfight. Two men, with hands and 

 knees hobbled with a stick and stout rope, seat them- 

 selves inside a circle, and the game is for each one to 

 try to put the other outside the circle. Neither can 

 use his hands. 



It is like wrestling in a sitting position with both 

 hands tied, the mode of attack being to topple over 

 one's opponent and then bunt him out of the circle. 

 There is considerable skill in the game and a fear- 



