When one of these is discovered, specially trained champions are summoned from every corner of the country.

They arrive in hot haste, eager for the battle, which takes place in the presence of the entire neighbourhood.

The number of champions for some reason or another is limited to twenty-two.

Each one seizing in turn a large piece of wood, rushes at the Ball as it flies along the ground, or through the air, and strikes at it with all his force.

When, exhausted, he can strike no longer, he throws down his weapon and retires into a tent, where he is restored to strength by copious draughts of a drug the nature of which I have been unable to discover.