C.Willeford.Cockfighter英文原版小說(shuō)

Whatmattersisnottheideaamanholds,butthedepthatwhichheholdsit.—EzraPound1First,Iclosedthewindowsandboltedtheflimsyaluminumdoor.ThenIflickedontheoverheadlightandsnappedtheVenetianblindsshut.Withoutthecrossventilation,itwasstiflinginsidethetrailer.Outside,inthefloridasunlight,thetemperaturewasinthehigheighties,butinside,nowthatthedoorandthewindowswerelocked,itmusthavebeenahundreddegrees.Iwipedthesweatawayfrommystreamingfaceandneckwithadishcloth,driedmyhands,andtossedtheclothonthefloor.AftermovingSandspur'stravelingcoopontothecouch,Icheckedtheitemsonthetableonemoretime.Leatherthong.Cotton.Razorblade.Bowloflukewarmsoapywater.Panofrubbingalcohol.Liquidleadballpointpencil.Sponge.Allinorder.Iliftedthelidofthecoop,broughtSandspuroutwithbothhands,turnedthecock'sheadawayfromme,andthenheldhimfirmlywithmylefthandunderhisbreast.Iloopedthenooseofleatheroverhisdanglingyellowfeet,slippedittightabovehissawedoffspurstumps,andmadeacoupleofturnstoholditsnug.Holdingthechickenwithbothhandsagain,Iloweredhimbetweenmylegsandsqueezedmykneestogethertightenoughtoholdhimsohecouldn'tmovehiswings.Sandspurdidn'tlikeit.Hehitbackwithbothfeetfourtimes,makingthumpingsoundsagainsttheplasticcouch,buthecouldn'tgetaway.Ipinchedoffagenerouswadofcottonbetweenmyleftthumbandforefingerandclampedmyfingersoverhislemon-yellowbeak.Therewasjustenoughofadownwardcurvetohisshortbeaksohecouldn'tjerkhisheadoutofmyfingers.Hecouldn'tpossiblyhurthimself,aslongasthecottondidn'tslip.Impatientknucklesrappedonthedoor.Dodyagain.Aveinthrobbedinmytemple.AtthatmomentIwouldhavegivenanythingtobeabletocurse."Howlongyougonnabe,Frank?"Dody'spetulantvoiceshrilledthroughthedoor."Igottagotothebathroom!"Ididn'tanswer.Icouldn't.Sherappedimpatientlyacoupleofmoretimesandthenshewentaway.Atleastshedidn'tholleranymore.Myrighthandwasdampagain,andIwipedmyfingersonmyjeans,stillholdingSandspur'sbeakwithmyleftthumbandforefinger.Ipickeduptherazorbladeandcutafinehairlinegrooveacrosshisbifiashighupaspossible.ThiswasticklishworkandIcutatrifletoodeepontherightside.Idroppedtherazorbladebackonthetableandreleasedthecock'shead.Ipickeduptheballpointleadpencilwithmylefthandandrubbedthepointacrossmyrightfingertipuntilitwassmearedwithliquidlead.Pinchingoffmorecottonwithmylefthand,IcaughtSandspur'sbeakagainandrubbedthealmostinvisiblegroovewithmyleadsmearedforefinger.Itookmytime,andSandspurglaredatmemalevolentlywithhisshinyyelloweyes.AssoonasIwassatisfied,Iunloosenedthethongaroundhisfeetandputthebirdonthetable,washedhislegswithluke-warmsoapywater,andrubbedhisbreastandthighs.Irepeatedtherubdownwithalcohol.Iwasparticularlycarefulwithhisheadandbill,onlyusingcottondippedinthepanofalcohol.Finished,Ireturnedtheitemstomygaffcaseanddumpedtheusedsoapywaterandalcoholintothesink.Sandspurwasafine-lookingfightingcock,andafterhislightrubdownhefeltinfinefeather.HoldinghisheadhighhestruttedbackandforthontheslickMasonitetable.HewasaWhitehacklecrossinpeakcondition,afive-timewinner,andarealmoneybird.Iknewhewouldwinthisafternoon,butIalsoknewhehadtowin.Isteppedinclosetothetable,madeafeintingpinchforhisdoctoredbeakandhetriedtopeckme.Iexaminedhisbeak,andevenunderclosescrutinythebilllookedcracked.Theliquidleadinsidethehairlinemadethemanufacturedcracklookauthenticeventomyexperteyes.AsalongtimeprofessionalcockerIknewthecrackwouldfoolMr.EdMiddleton,JackBurke,andtheaccordion-neckedfruittrampbettors.IpickedSandspurupandloweredhimgentlyintohiscoop.Iopenedthedoor,butDodywasnowhereinsight.Shewasprobablyvisitinginsideoneoftheothertrailersinthecamp.AfterslidingupallthewindowsagainIlitacigaretteandsatdown.WhatIhaddonetoSandspur'sbillwasn'texactlyillegal,butIdidn'tfeeltooproudaboutit.Ionlywantedtoboostthebettingoddsandmyslenderroll.AlthoughIknewIcouldn'tpossiblylose,Iwasapprehensiveaboutthefightcomingup.EverythingIhad,includingmyoldCaddyandmyLove-Lee-MobileHome,wasdownonthissinglecockfight.AndSandspurwastheonlycockIhadleft.Inmymind,Ireviewedmyimpulsivebet.Ihadbeenadamnedfooltobetthecarandtrailer.AtfourthatmorningIhadslidoutofbedwithoutwakingDodyandswitchedonthelight.Dodysleptlikeachild,mainlybecauseshewasachild.Thegirlwasonlysixteen.IhadpickedherupinHomestead,Florida,threeweeksbeforeatajukejointnearthetrailercampwhereIhadbeenstaying.HerparentshadtheirtrailerintheHomesteadcamp,andDodywasonlyoneoutoftheirfivechildren.Itwasafamilyoffruittramps,andIdoubtverymuchiftheyevenmissedherwhenItookherawaywithme.Iwasn'tthefirstmantosleepwithDody,notbyanymeans.Therehadbeendozensbeforeme,butseeingherasleepandvulnerablethatmorningmademefeeluneasyaboutourrelationship.Shewasawfullydamnedyoung.Atthirty-two,IwasexactlytwiceasoldasDody.ItwastoohotinBelleGladetohaveevenasheetoveryou,andDodylayonherbackwearingaflimsycottonshortynightgown.Shesleptwithhermouthopen,herlongtaffy-coloredbraidsstretchedoutonthepillow.Herfacewasflushedwithsleep,andshedidn'tlooktwelveyearsold,muchlesssixteen.Herbodywasfullymature,however,withlarge,melon-heavybreasts,andlongtaperinglegs.Inherclumsy,uninhibitedwayshewassurprisinglygoodinbed.Shewasasstrongasatractor,butnotquiteasintelligent.IfeltsorryforDody.Shedidn'thavemuchtoshowforherlifesofar.Withherparents,shehadfollowedcropsalloverthecountry—stayinglockedinacarbyafieldsomeplaceuntilshewasbigenoughtocarrybaskets—andthisconstantexposuretotheitinerantagriculturalworker'slackadaisicalcodeoflivinghadmadeherwisebeyondherage.AfterspendingthenightwithmeinmytrailerinHomestead,shehadbeggedtobetakenalong,andIbroughtherwithmetoBelleGlade.WhyIweakenedIdon'tknow,butatthetimeIhadbeendepressed.IhadlostfourbirdsintheHomesteadfighting,andifSandspurhadn'twonhisfight,theHomesteadmeetwouldhavebeenamajordisaster.Butthreeweeksisalongtimetolivewithayoung,demandinggirl—andastupid,irritatinggirl,atthat.Anyway,itwasfoura.m.IdressedandtookSandspuroutsideandaroundtothebackofthetrailer.ItwasstifidarkandIwantedtoflirthimforexercise.Acoopedbirdgetsstaleinahurry.Isidesteppedthechickensixtimes,gavehimsixrolls,andlethimdrinkahalfdipofwater.Hewouldgetnomorewateruntilafterthefight.WhentheskybegantolightenIreleasedhim.Sandspurliftedhisheadandcrowedtwice.Ilitmyfirstcigaretteoftheday.AsIwatchedthecockscratchintheloosesand,ashadowfellacrossmyface.IlookedupandtherewasJackBurke,awidegrinsplittinghishomelyface.IscoopedSandspurupquickly,droppedhimintothecoopandclosedthelid.Burkehadseenhim,buttherestillwasn'tenoughlightforacloselook."ThatthemightySandspur?"Burkesaid.Inodded."Hedon'tlooklikenofive-timewinnertome.TellyouwhatI'lldo,Mr.Mansfield,"Burkesaid,asthoughheweredoingmeabigfavor,"I'llgiveyoutwotoones'WhenBurkemadethisoffer,Ihadjuststartedtogettomyfeet.ButnowIdecidedtoremaininmysquattingposition.Burkeisamanofaverageheight,butIamafullheadtallerthanheis,andmyeyesarebluer.Myblondhairiscurly,andhislankblondhairisstraight.Lookingdownonmethatwaygavehimapsychologicaladvantage,afeelingofpower,andIwantedhimtohaveit—hopingthathisoverconfidencewouldhelpmegetevenbetteroddsthatafternoon.BurkehadwrittenmeapostcardtoHomestead,challengingSandspurtothefightatevenmoney.Ihadacceptedbyreturnmail,gladtogetachanceathisAcecock,LittleDavid.LittleDavidwasn'tsolittleinhisreputation.Hewasaneight-timewinnerandhadhadalotofpublicity.WhenmySandspurbeatBurke'sLittleDavid,hisvaluewouldbedoubled,andmychancesfortakingtheSouthernConferencechampionshipwouldbeimproved.OnthedrivefromHomesteadtoBelleGlade,Ihadthoughtofthecrack-on-the-billplan,andnowIdidn'twantevenmoneyortwotooneeither.Afterthebettorslookedatthebirdsbeforethepitting,Iexpectedtogetoddsoffourtoone,atleast.IhadeighthundredandfiftydollarsinmywalletandIdidn'twanttotakeBurke'soffer,butafteracceptinganeven-moneyfightbymail,Icouldn'tlegitimatelyturndownthenewodds.Isnappedmyfingersoutfourtimes,foldedinmythumb,andheldupfourfingers.Inoddedtwice."Youmeanyou'veonlygotahundreddollarstobet?"Burkesaid,withashortangrylaugh."1figuredontakingyouforatleastathousand!"IpointedtothecoopandliftedaforefingertoshowBurkeIonlyhadtheonecock.HeknewverywellIhadlostfourbirdsatHomestead.Bythistime,everybodyinFloridaandhalfofGeorgiaknewit.JackBurkefollowedtheCocker'sCodeofConduct,andhewashonest,buthedislikedme.Althoughmyluckhadbeenmostlybadforthelastthreeyears,fouryearsbeforeatBioximynovicestag,Pinky,hadkilledhisAce,Pepperpot.Hewouldneverbeabletoforgiveorforgetthatbeating.Pinkyhadwononlyonefightagainstfiveforhiscock,andBurkehadtakenaterrificlossatfive-to-oneodds.Morethanthemoneyhehadlost,hehadresentedmywinning.AcolumnistinTheSouthernCockfighterhadunfairlyblamedhisconditioningmethodsfortheloss.Actually,Pinkyhadonlymadealuckyhit.Amanisfoolishtofightstags,butIhadneededtheyoungbirdtofilloutmyentryforthemain—notexpectingtoclobberPepperpot.Burkestudiedtheground,rubbinghisfreshlyshavenchin.Hewasinhismiddleforties,andheworehispale,yellowhairmuchtoolong.Hepaidconsiderableattentiontohisclothes.Evenatdaybreakhewaswearingablueseersuckersuit,whiteshirtandnecktie,andblack-and-whiteshoes.Two-tonedshoesindicateanambivalentpersonality,amanwhocan'tmakeuphismind."Okay,Mr.Mansfield,"Burkesaidatlast,slappinghisleg."I'lltakeyourhundreddollarsandgiveyouatwo-toone.IknowdamnedwellSandspurcan'tbeatLittleDavid,butyourcockalwayshasachanceofgettinginaluckyhit...thewayPinkydidinBioxi,forinstance.Solet'ssayyoureallygetlucky—whatdoyouhave?Twohundreddollars.TogiveyouafightingchancetogetonyourfeetagainafterHomestead,I'llputupeighthundredbucksagainstyourcarandtrailer.Evenmoney."Ichewedmylowerlip,butthebetwasfair.MybatteredCaddywasworthatleasteighthundred,butIdidn'tknowwhatthetrailerwasworth.Secondhandtrailersbringinpeculiarprices,andminewasfairlysmall,withonlyonebedroomandonedoor.IfIunloadedthecarandtrailerthroughanewspaperadvertisement,Icould'veprobablysoldthembothtogetherforatleastathousand.Burkewantedtobeatmesobadhecouldtasteit.AndifLittleDavidwon,I'dbeoutonthehighwaywithmythumbout.IstuckoutmyrighthandandBurkegrabbediteagerly.Thebetwasmade."Toobadyouhaven'tgotanythingelsetolose,"Burkelaughedgleefully."I'dliketomakeanotherbetthatyoujustmadeabadbet!"MylipscurvedintoabroadsmileasIthoughtofDodysleepingpeacefullyinsidethetrailer.IntheunlikelyeventthatBurke'scockdidwinthefight,hewouldalsobestuckwithDody.WhenIpicturedBurkeinmymindstoppingateverygasstationontheroadtobuyDodyicecreamandCoca-Colasitwasimpossibletosuppressmysmile.OnthewayupfromHomesteadshehaddamnedneardrivenmecrazy.Butnowthebetwasmade.Iconsultedmywristwatch.Twothirty.Itwastimetogo.BillSanderswasgoingtomeetmeoutsidethepitatthreetopickupmybettingmoney.Istashedahundreddollarsintheutensilcupboardtocovermytwo-to-onebetwithBurke,countedtherestofmymoney,anditcameouttoanevensevenhundredandfiftydollars.Thatwaseverything,exceptforafoldedten-dollarbillinmywatchpocket.Thiswasmygetawaybread—justincase.IputmystrawcowboyhatonmyheadtoprotectmyfacefromtheFloridasun,pickedupthealuminumcoopandmygaffcase,andsteppedoutside.TherewerefourteentrailersinCaptainMack'sTrailerCamp,includingmine,andifyouhadtouchedanyoneofthem,youwouldhaveburnedyourhand.Inthedistance,acrosstheflat,desolatecountryIcouldseeBelleGlade,threemilesaway.Theheatwavesrisingoffthesandylandresembledgreatsheetsofquiveringcellophane.Iturnedawayfromthetrailersandstartedtowardthehammockclumpamileawaywherethepithadbeensetup.Ashotasitwas,IwasinnomoodtounhitchmycarfromthetrailerandworkupaworsesweatthanIhad,andthewalkwasonlyamile.Therewasawiregatebehindthecamp,withanold-timercollectinganentrancefeeofthreedollars.IraisedmycooptoshowhimIwasanentrant,andheletmethroughwithoutcollectingafee.AsIpassedthroughthegate,Dodycameflyingupthetrail,pigtailsbouncingonhershoulders.Shewasbarefooted,wearingapairofredsilkhotpantsandawhitesleevelessblouse.Herbigunhamperedbreastsjouncedupanddownassheran."Frank!"shecalledoutbeforeshereachedthegate."Takemewithyou!Please,Frank!"Thegateman,agrizzledoldmaninblueoveralls,raisedhiswhitebrows.Ishookmyhead.HeclosedandlatchedthegateasDodyreachedit."Damnyou,Frank!"Dodyshoutedangrily."Youdon'tletmedonothin'.YouknowI'veneverseenyoucockfight.Pleaseletmego!"Iignoredherandcontinuedupthetrail.Ihadenoughtoworryabout,withoutheryammeringaroundthepitandaskingquestions.CaptainMack,whohadmadeallthearrangementsfortheBelleGladepitting,wastalkingearnestlytoaFloridatrooperwhenIreachedtheparkingarea.Thetrooper'sstatepatrolcarwasparkeddirectlybehindanewconvertiblewithaDadeCountyplate.Therightdooroftheconvertiblewasopen,andaprettyblondewomansatinthefrontseat.Herfacewaspale,andshehadhereyesclosed,breathingdeeplythroughheropenmouth.Therewasawetspotinthesandoutsidethedoor.Isupposedthegirlhadwatchedacoupleoffightsinsidethepitandgotsickasaconsequence.Notmanycitywomenhavethestomachforwatchingcockfights.Thepitwassurroundedonfoursidesbyagreencanvaspanoramamadefromarmysurpluslatrinescreens.Therewereaboutthirtycarsintheparkingarea,notcountingthetrucks.Isetdownmygaffcaseandcoopinthesparseshadeofamelaleucatree,andleanedagainstaparkedPlymouth,watchingCaptainMackarguewiththetrooper.CaptainMackshruggedwearily,tookhiswalletoutofhishippocket,andhandedtwobillstothetrooper.Throughagapinthecanvaswall,theywentinsidethepit.AlthoughcockfightingislegalinFlorida,bettingisnot,soCaptainMackhadbeenforcedtopayoutsomeprotectionmoney.Therewasexcitedshoutingfrominsidethepit,followedbyseveralcoarsecurses,andthenthevoicessubsided.Mr.EdMiddleton'sbaritonecarriedwellasheannouncedthewinningcock."ThewinneristheMadigan!Oneminuteandthirty-onesecondsinthethirdpitting!"Againtherewerecurses,followedbythederisivesoundoflaughter.Ilitacigarette,tookmynotebookoutofmyshirtpocket,andwrotetheessentialinformationconcerningSandspuronafreshsheetofpaper.AfewminuteslaterBillSanderscameoutsideandjoinedmebeneaththetree.Ihandedhimmyrollofsevenhundredandfiftydollarsandhecountedit.Billputthemoneyinhistrousersandwatchedmyfingers.Iheldupfourfingersonmylefthandandmyrightforefinger."IdoubtifIcangetyoufourtoone,Frank."Billshookhisheaddubiously."Yourreputationistoodamngood.Youcouldshowupwithabattereddunghill,andiftheseredneckersthoughtyoufedit,they'dbetonit.ButI'lltry."Ifanybodycouldgetgoododdsforme,Sanderscould,andIknewhewouldcertainlytry.WhenIwasdischargedfromtheArmy,IhadspenttwomonthsinPuertoRicowithSanders,livinginthesamehotel;andwehadattendedmainsatallthebestgameclubs—SanJuan,Mayaguez,Ponce,Arecibo,andAibonito.IhadsteeredSandersrightonthebetting,afterIhadgottenaccustomedtothefightingtechniquesoftheSpanishslashers,andbothofushadreturnedtoMiamiwithourwalletsfullofwinnings.BillSanderswasnotaprofessionalcockfighterlikemyself,hewasaprofessionalgambler.HehadlosthisshareofthemoneyhewoninPuertoRicoattheMiamihorseanddogtracks.Alittlebaldguywithapassionforhighliving,helivedverywellwhenhehadmoneyandevenbetterwhenhehadnone.Hewasthatkindofaman,andagoodfriend.ItookSandspuroutofhiscoopandpointedoutthe"cracked"beak.Bifiwhistledsoftlyandhisblueeyeswidened."Ifthatbifibreaksoff,you'vehadit,Frank."Heshrugged."Butthatmutilatedbokoshouldgetmethefourto-oneodds."Sandershitmelightlyontheshoulderwithhisfistandreturnedtothepit.IheldSandspurwithmylefthand,filledmymouthwithsmoke,andblewthesmokeathishead.Hecluckedangrily,shakinghishead.Blowingtobaccosmokeatacock'sheadirritatesittoafightingpitch,andIwassmokingamild,mentholatedcigarette.Ienvelopedthecock'sheadwithonemorecloudofsmokeandreturnedhimtohiscoop.Toomuchsmokecouldmakeacockdizzy.Iopenedmygaffcaseandremovedtwosetsofheels.Iputapairofshortspursinmyleftshirtpocketandapairoflongjaggersinmyrightshirtpocket.Aftershuttingmygaffcase,Ipickedupthecoopandcaseandenteredthepit.Therewereonlyaboutsixtyspectatorsinside,butthiswasafairlygoodcrowdforSeptember.TheFloridacockfightingseasondidn'tstartofficiallyuntilThanksgivingDay,whenanopeningderbywasheldinLakeWorth.AndBelleGladeisn'tthemostaccessibletowninFlorida.Thecanvaswallssuccessfullypreventedanybreezefromgettingintothepit,anditwasashotinsideasabarbecuegrill.IrecognizedacoupleofDadeCountyfanciersandnoddedacknowledgmentstothemwhentheygreetedmebyname.TherewasascatteringofBelleGladetownspeople,twogamblersfromMiamiwhoprobablyownedtheblondeandtheconvertible,Burkeandhistwohandlers,andtwopregnantwomenIhadseenaroundthetrailercamp.Theremainderofthecrowdwasmadeupfromthemigrantagriculturalworkers'campontheothersideoftown.Thecockpitwasmadeofroughboards,sixteenincheshigh,andabouteighteenfeetindiameter.Thepitwassurroundedonthreesidesbybleachers,fourtiershigh.Underanopenbeachumbrellaonthefourthsideofthepit,Mr.MiddletonsatatacardtablewithCaptainMack.Behindthetabletherewasablackboard.InotedthatJackBurkehadwonbothoftheshort-entryderbies,thefirst,four-one,andthesecond,three-two.ThataccountedfortheglumexpressionsonthefacesofthetwoDadeCountybreeders.Notonlyhadtheymadeapoorshowing,theironehundred-dollarentryfees,lessCaptainMack'stenpercent,hadwoundupinBurke'spocketasprizemoney.TwomeninthebleachersIdidn'tknowcalledoutmynameandwishedmegoodluck.Iwavedanacknowledgmenttothem,andjoinedEdMiddletonandCaptainMack.IremovedSandspurfromthecoopandhandedtheslipofpapertoMr.Middleton.JackBurkeandhishandler,RalphHansen,cameover.ThehandlerwascarryingLittleDavid.Mr.Middletonproducedacoin."Nameit,gentlemen,"hesaid."LetMr.Mansfieldcallit,"Burkesaidindifferently.Itappedmyforeheadtoindicate"heads."Mr.Middletontossedthehalfdollarintotheairandletitlandwithathumponthecardtable.Heads.Ireachedintomyleftshirtpocket,pulledouttheshortgaffs,andheldthemoutinmyopenpalm.Theywerehand-forgedsteelgaffs,aninchandaquarterinlength.Burkenoddedgrimlyandturnedtohishandler."Allright,Ralph,"hesaidbitterly."Shortspurs,butset'emlow."Burkewasalonggaffman,butIpreferredtheshortheels.Sandspurwasacutterandfoughtbestwithshortgaffs.LittleDavidwasusedtolongthree-inchheels.WinningthetosshadgivenSandspuraslightadvantageoverLittleDavid.ThecockfightbetweenSandspurandLittleDavidwasanextrahack,andIhadnot,ofcourse,beenrequiredtopostanyentryfee.However,Mr.Middletonexaminedbothcockswithminuteattention.Hewasactingasjudgeandrefereeandhadreceivedatleastaminimumfeeofonehundredandfiftydollars,plusexpenses,fromCaptainMack.Thejudgeofacockfighthastobegood,andEdMiddletonwasoneofthebestrefereesintheentireSouth.Hiswordinthepitwaslaw.Thereisnoappealfromacockfightjudge'sdecision.Assolejudge-referee,EdMiddleton'sjurisdictionencompassedspectatorbettingaswell.Thereferee'sjobhasalwaysbeenthemostimportantatacockfight.Aseverycockerknows,forexample,honestAbeLincolnwasonceacockpitrefereeduringhislawyerdaysinIllinois.Hardandfairinhisdecisions,andasimpersonalasdoom,EdMiddletonwasfullyawareofthetraditionalresponsibilitiesofthecockpitreferee.Aftercompletinghisexaminationofthecockstoseethattheywerenotsoaped,pepperedorgreasedandthattheyweretrimmedfairly,Mr.Middletonsteppedbacktothetable."SouthernConferencerules,gentlemen?"heasked."Whatelse?"Burkesaid.Inoddedmyheadinagreement."Forty-minutetimelimit,orkill?"Iclosedmyfist,jerkedmythumbtowardtheground."Whatelse?"Burkesaid.CaptainMackheldSandspurwhileJackBurkeexaminedhim,andItookacloselookatLittleDavid.Burke'schickenwasapurebredO'NealRedandasarrogantasasergeantmajorintheForeignLegion.AlthoughIhadneverseenLittleDavidfightbefore,IhadfollowedhispreviouspittingsinTheSouthernCockfighter,andIknewthathelikedaerialfighting.ButsodidSandspurfighthighintheair,andmycockwasusedtoshortgaffs.ThethreeadditionalwinsLittleDavidhadoverSandspurdidn'tworrymewhenIhadsuchanadvantage.Burketappedmeontheshoulderandgrinned."IfI'dknownyourchickenhadhimacrackedbill,I'dhavegivenyoubetterodds."Ishruggedindifferentlyandsatdownontheedgeofthepittoarmmycock.Iopenedmygaffcase,removedabottleoftypewritercleaningsolventandcleanedSandspur'sspurstumps.Mostcockersuseplainalcoholtocleanspurs,buttypewritersolventisfast-dryingand,inmyopinion,removesthedirteasier.Afterfittingtightchamois-skincoveringsoverbothspurs,Islippedthemetalsocketsoftheshortheelsoverthecoveredstumpsandtiedthemwithwaxedstring,settingthemlowandatrifletotheoutside.Thepointsofthetaperedheelswereassharpasneedles,andamanhastobecarefulwhenhearmsacock.Ihadapuckeredpuncturescaronmyrightforearmcausedbyamomentofcarelessnesssevenyearsbefore,andIdidn'twantanotherone.Thebettinghadalreadystarted,butthecrowdquieteddownwhenMr.Middletonsteppedintothepit.Theylistenedattentivelytohisannouncement."Thisisanextrahack,gentlemen,"hesaidloudly."LittleDavidversusSandspur.SouthernConferenceruleswillprevail.Notimelimit,andshortgaffs.LittleDavidisownedbyMr.JackBurkeofBurkeFarms,Kissimmee,Florida.He'sanAcecock,witheightwinsandwillbetwoyearsoldinNovember.LittleDavidwillbehandledbyMr.RalphHansenofBurkeFarms."ThecrowdgaveLittleDavidanicehand,andMr.Middletoncontinued."SandspurisownedbyMr.FrankMansfieldofMansfieldFarms,Ocala,Florida,andhewillhandlehisownchicken.Sandspurisafive-timewinnerandayearandahalfold.Bothcockswillfightatfourpoundseven."SandspurgotabetterhandthanLittleDavid,andtheapplausewassustainedbythetwoDadeCountybreederswhowantedhimtobeatBurke'scock.Mr.MiddletonexaminedSandspur'sheelsandpattedmeontheshoulder.Manycockersresentthereferee'sexaminationofacock'sheels,butIneverhave.Aconscientiousrefereecanhelpyoubymakingthisfinalcheck.Oncethefighthasstartedandyourcocklosesametalspur,itcannotbereplaced.AsMr.MiddletoncrossedthepittoexamineLittleDavid,Iwatchedtheflyingfingersofthebettors.Themajorityofthebettingatcockfightsisdonebyfingers—onefingerforonedollar,fiveforfivedollars,andthenonupintothemultiplesoffive—andIwasanexpertinthistypeofbetting.IhadlearnedfingerbettinginthePhilippineswhenIwasinthearmyanddidn'tunderstandTagalog,andIhadalsousedthesamesysteminPuertoRico,whereIdidn'tunderstandSpanishverywell.LittleDavidwasthefavorite,gettingtwo-to-one,andinsomecasesthree-to-oneodds.BillSanders,JackBurkeandthetwoMiamigamblerswereinahuddlenexttothecanvaswall.BothgamblerswerestaringacrossthepitatSandspurwhileSandersandBurketalkedatthesametime.Sandershadarollofmoneyinhishandandwastalkingfast,althoughIcouldn'thearhisvoicefromwhereIwassittingbesidethepit.Afistfightbrokeoutonthetoptierofseatsbetweentwofruittramps,andoneofthemwasknockedoffbackwardandfellheavilytotheground.Beforehecouldclimbbackintothestands,thestatetrooperhadanarmiockonhimandmadehimsitdownontheothersideofthepit.WhenIlookedbacktoBillSanders,hewassmilingandholdingupthreefingers.SoBillhadgotthree-to-one.Thatwasgoodenoughforme.WhenSandspurwon,I'dbe$2,250aheadfromtheMiamigamblers,plus$1,000morefromJackBurke.$3,250.ThiswouldbemorethanenoughmoneytoseemethroughtheSouthernConferenceseason,andenoughtopurchasesixbadlyneededfightingcocksbesides."Getready!"Mr.Middletonyelled.Istoodup,steppedovertheedgeofthepit,andputmytoesonthebackscore.Thebackscorelinesplaceduseightfeetawa