From behind this, the ladies of Tippoo's harem viewed the sports.
These began with a contest of fighting rams.

The animals were placed some fifty yards apart.

As soon as they saw each other, both showed extreme anger, uttering notes of defiance.

Then they began to move towards each other, at first slowly, but increasing in speed until, when within a few yards of one another, each took a spring, meeting in mid air, forehead to forehead, with a crash that could be heard far away.

Both fell back, and stood for a moment shaking their heads, as if half stupefied with the blow.