280 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



rather slashers, which are three inches long, a quarter of an 

 inch wide, and slightly curved. 



Sufficient time having elapsed, the judge rings a small bell, 

 and the noise and confusion are succeeded by order and silence. 

 Then each attendant walks to the servid6r, and turns the back 

 of the fowl towards him. He examines the slasher, and, find- 

 ing it properly secured, runs his thumb over its edge, to be 

 certain of its keenness. Then it is sheathed in leather, and the 

 birds are allowed to make a few flies at each other, while still 

 retained in the hands of their respective attendants. The 

 sheaths are now removed, and the cocks are set down at oppo- 

 site sides of the ring. All is silent. The valiant bird scratches 

 the earth, looks proudly round, and, seeing his adversary, 



" treads as if, some solemn music near, 



His measured step were governed by his ear : 

 And seems to say — " ye meaner fowl give place !" 



He flies to the conflict. If not decided at the first onset, the 

 hum of assertion and dispute again begins, and increases with 

 the excitement, till it becomes as noisy as before; both sides, 

 like politicians before an election, certain of coming ofi* victo- 

 rious, loudly offer to increase the bets, and thus strengthen 

 their opinions. But at last one of the combatants falls dead, 

 and decides the matter beyond dispute. The judge rings, and 

 if not too much wounded, the victorious cock gives a trium- 

 phant crow, and flaps his wings. 



The corred&res are now seen in every part of the pit, and 

 in the boxes, collecting the losings, and paying the winnings, 

 from which they deduct, as the fee of their service, a medio 

 from every dollar. The noise of talk still continues ; some are 

 eulogizing the victorious bird, and others dispute with the cor- 

 red&res about the bets. In the meantime, the fowls are carried 

 to the servid6r, who removes the slashers, and cleans them of 

 blood, by drawing them between his thumb and finger, before 

 he lays them down. Both fowls are carried out of the arena, 

 and others brought in, and the same scene is repeated. 



Sometimes the conflict is decided at the first fly ; I have 

 seen both birds fall dead from the slashers entering the brain 



