342 
SOUTH SEA 
ceive them, and the same routine of business or pleasure 
occurs again in a few minutes, and is thus continued for 
hours. The moment the birds are produced, every 
person who wishes to bet calls aloud for any one to 
accept his offer,— some running round the arena, others 
thrusting themselves through the crowd to obtain a 
more favourable view of the combatants before he stakes 
his money, shewing as much anxiety in his countenance 
as if the fate of nations depended on the issue of the 
combat. At the same time, in some other part of the 
arena, another may be seen who has staked largely, livid 
with agitation, watching each movement of the birds 
when they are about to make the onset with the greatest 
possible perturbation ; and when on the first rush the 
secret is discovered, by his favourite combatant becoming 
deeply and mortally wounded with the curved knife of 
his more fortunate adversary, he is seen almost to sink 
to the earth,— his dark eyes at the same time glaring 
around with a despairing motion ; the next moment he 
is observed close by the side of his wmunded favourite, 
and he seizes the unfortunate bird, and vainly endea- 
vours to support it for another attack, which might in 
turn be fatal to his antagonist, but the sanguinary 
monster with increased emotion perceives its life-blood 
trickling upon the sand, its valiant neck gradually loses 
its arch-like form, and it falls dead from the hands of 
its supporter, who with agitated breast, with muttering 
and faltering voice, trembling limbs, and subdued spirit, 
slowly withdraws from the brutal scene cowardly and 
conquered. 
