An Embassy to the Court of the Teshoo Lama in Tibet - Prajna Quest

160 BOOTAN.Towards the close of tiie afternoon we were entertained with tiieexhibition of a bull fight, between two animals, the strongest andfiercest of the species I ever beheld. They were of a foreign breed,from a more eastern part of the same range ojf mountains, and in Bengalare termed Gyal. Their heads were small, their necks thick, theirchests prodigiously deep, and their fore legs remarkably short. Thecarcase lessened towards the loins, which made the hind legs appearmuch longer than the fore. Their colour was a dark brown, almostblack. They were led to the ground between many Bootecas, wellsecured, with strong ropes fastened to them :they struggled violently,as impatient of restraint, and their prominent eyes rolled with fury, asif they were instructed in the fierce purpose, for which they werebrought hither.Many men took post round the field of battle, armedwith large bludgeons. The bulls were released on opposite sides ; andthe moment they felt their liberty, they tore irp the turf with theirhorns, elevated the spines of their backs, and appeared animated withthe strongest symptoms of rage. They did not at the first instant rushtogether ;but, turning sideways, eyed each other askance, all the whilemaking a slow circular advance, until a very small distance dividedthem : they then turned, opposing a full front, and ran impetuously,their heads meeting together with an astonishing concussion. Thehorns, which constitute the guard, as well as weapons of offence, werenow entangled, and they maintained the struggle, like wrestlers, forhalf an hour, with surprising exertions of strength ;the ground yieldingto their heels as they pressed their brows, and alternately retreatedand pushed forwards in the conflict. At length, as their strength di-