WILD BEAST FIGHTS. 
143 
ing the muscular capabilities of the human form. No- 
thing can exceed the fine manly symmetry of pro- 
portion which these men display, nor is their activity 
inferior to their strength. 
On the day appointed we repaired to the palace. 
After a liberal entertainment, in which several 
dishes were served up in the European fashion, with 
a plentiful supply of Port wine. Claret, and Ma- 
deira, we retired to a gallery that overlooked a large 
area full a hundred yards square. The sports com- 
menced as soon as the Rajah arrived. A small but 
sturdy goat was introduced into the enclosed space. 
Upon its forehead was fixed a steel spur, like that 
placed upon the leg of a game-cock when armed 
for battle. This instrument was four inches long, 
about as thick at the base as a man’s middle fin- 
ger, and exceedingly sharp. It was strapped across 
the forehead at equal distances between the eyes and 
the sockets of the horns ; for of these the animal had 
been deprived, in order to give it more freedom in the 
encounters to which it was trained. It paced the area 
with a firm proud step, as if aware that it was about 
to have an opportunity of exhibiting its prowess to 
the Prince of the country. 
When all was ready, the door of a large cage was 
slid aside, and a boar started out with a grunt that 
betokened a desire of freedom, but no relish at having 
to show its valour before company. It was imme- 
diately urged towards the goat, which erected its stiff 
wiry mane, reared upon its hind legs, and retreated ; 
but whether this was an impulse of fear, or a feint to 
draw its adversary into a more favourable position for 
