XXVII. THE COCK FIGHT.

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CHAPTER XXVII

THE COCK FIGHT.

In order to keep the Sabbath holy in the Philippines the people

generally go to the cock fight, just as in Spain they go to the

bull fight. Cock fighting, a passion introduced into the country and

exploited for a century, is one of the vices of the people, more deeply

rooted than the opium vice among the Chinese. The poor go there to

risk what little they have, desirous of making money without working;

the rich go there to amuse themselves, using the money which they

have left over from their feasts and thanksgiving masses. The cock is

educated with great care, with more care, perhaps, than the son who

is to succeed his father in the cock-pit. The Government permits it

and almost recommends it, for it decrees that the fight shall only

be held in the public plazas and on holidays from after high mass

till dark--eight hours.

The San Diego cock-pit does not differ from others which are found in

all the towns. It consists of three parts: The first, or entrance,

is a large rectangle, some twenty meters in length and fourteen in

breadth. On one side is the door, generally guarded by a woman who

collects the entrance fee. From the contribution which each one

makes the Government receives a part, some hundred thousands of

pesos each year. They say that with this money, which gives license

to the vice, magnificent schools are raised, bridges and roadways

constructed, and rewards offered for the encouragement of agriculture

and commerce. Blessed be the vice which produces such good results! In

this first precinct are the vendors of betel nut, cigars and tobacco,

delicacies and refreshments. There the small boys, who accompany their

fathers or uncles, are carefully initiated into the secrets of life.

This precinct communicates with another of slightly larger dimensions,

a sort of vestibule, where the people gather before the fight. There,

one sees most of the cocks, tied by a cord to a bone driven into the

ground like a nail; there, are the bettors, the lovers of the sport,

the man skilled in fastening the gaffs or spurs to the cock's legs;

there, bargains are made, the situation discussed, money borrowed,

and people curse, swear and laugh boisterously. In one place, some

one is caressing his game cock, passing his hand over his brilliant

plumage; in another, a man examines and counts the number of scales

on the rooster's legs, for that, they say, is a sign of valor. The

battles of the heroes are related. There, too, you will see many a

disappointed owner, with a sour face carrying out by the legs, a dead

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