Hand-Game With a Negro
During the struggle with the Marlin, Santiago remembers his hand-game with a Negro. It was a Sunday morning at an inn in Casablanca. Young Santiago and the Negro sat on opposite chairs, placed their elbows on a table between them, gripped their right hands and the match started. Eight hours passed but nothing happened except a new referee.
Evening advanced so the oil lamps were lit. The bettors became hopeless so they started leaving and entering the room. In this situation, the wrestlers strained themselves so severely that blood began to ooze from under their fingernails. Further four hours could make no decision but a new referee.
At night, the Negro was entertained with rum and cigarettes so he put a tremendous torque and inclined Santiago's arm down three inches off the balance. However, Santiago raised his hand up to dead even again. All the night, the odds and the referees kept on changing but the match remained a tie.
The sun of the Monday morning rose. The bettors wanted the match to be declared a draw because they were to go to their jobs. Santiago felt it, so he applied his whole might and forced the Negro's hand down and down until it kissed the table. At last, Santiago had won the match and earned the title of "El Campeon".
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