S U M A T R A, 
^37 
run of ill luck has ftnpped them of property, and retHicrccI them def- 
perate. Quarrels, attended with dreadful confcquences, have often arifcn 
on thcfe occafions. 
By their cuftoms, there are four umpires appointed to determine on all RuUaofcotk- 
difputed points in the courfe of the battles; and from their decifion 
there lies no appeal; except the Gothic appeal to the fword. A perfon 
iofing, and who has not che ability to pay, is immediately profcribed; 
departs wiih diJgrace, and is never again fuifered to appear at the galai:- 
gang. This uannot with propriety be tranHated, a cock-pi as it is gene- 
rally a fpot on the level ground, or a ftage ered:ed, and covered in. It 
is enclofed with a railing which keeps off the fpcftators ; none but the 
handlers and heelers being admitted widiin fide. A man who has an 
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 ; bis 
poorer adverfary is perhaps unable to depofit above one half : the flandcrs 
by make up the fum, and receive their. dividends in proportion, if fuc- 
cefsfuL A fat her J at his death-bed, has been known to defire his fon, 
to take the tirft opportunity of matching a ccrcain cock, for a fum equal 
to his whole property, under a blind conviftion of ir 5 being hekoah^ or 
invulnerable. 
Cocks of the fame color are never matched, but a grey againft a pile^ Matches, 
a yellow againft a red, or the like. This might have been originally de- 
-ligned to prevent difputes, or knavifh impofitions. The Malay breed of 
cocks is much efteemed by connoilTeurs who have bad an opportunity of 
trying them. Great pains is taken in the rearing and feeding ; they are 
frequently handled, and accuftomed to fpar in public, in order to prevent 
any fhynefs. 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 mufl 
have fufficient fpirit and vigor left, to peck at him three times, on his 
being held to him for that purpofe, or it becomes a drawn battle ; and 
fometimes an experienced cocker will place the head of his vanquiihed 
bird, in fuch an uncouth pofture, "as to terrify the other, and render him 
unable 
