Also, the darkies were very fond of sports, such as were common to the period, and many of them were very dexterous in the leading sports of the day.  One of the most common of those was hurdle racing.  Here, the contestants would leap over hurdles that were placed at regular intervals apart.  At time, numerous participants would engage in these races, and the sport would extend over the entire day.  There was a kind of jumping too, which was called hurtling.  In the sport, the contestants made use of a hurtling pole, which was a small rigid-pole about 12 feet in length.  The jumper would take a long running start, which would enable him to take on additional momentum; and with the assistance of the hurtling pole, would leap over a hurdle that was placed a considerable elevation above the ground.  The chief object in this kind of jumping was leaping over a high hurdle.  The contestant, who made the highest leap, was awarded the highest honors of the contest.  A second, third and fourth honors were awarded too.

Another kind of contest was called “A free for all”.  Here a ring was drawn on the ground which ranged from about 15 ft. to 30 ft. in diameter depending on the number of contestants who engaged in the combat.  Each participant was given a kind of bag that was stuffed with cotton and rags into a very compact mass.  When so stuffed, the bags would weigh on an average of 10 pounds, and was used by the contestants in striking their antagonist.  Each combatant picked whichever opponent he desired and attempted to subdue him by pounding him over the head with the bag, which he used as his weapon of defense.  And which was used as an offending weapon.  The contest was continued in this manner till every combatant was counted out, and a hero of the contest proclaimed.  Some times two contestants were adjudged heroes, and it was necessary to run a contest between the two combatants before a final hero could be proclaimed.  Then the two antagonist would stage a battle royal and would continue in the conflict till one was proclaimed victorious.

Sometimes these Free-For-All battles were carried on with a kind of improvised boxing gloves, and the contests were carried on in the same manner as previously described.  Very often, as many as 30 darkies of the most husky type were engaged in these battles, and the contests were generally attended by large audiences.  Being staged during the period of favorable weather, and mostly on Saturday afternoon; these physical exhibitions were the scenes of much controversial conflict, gambling, excessive inebriation and hilarity.

Banjo and guitar playing were practiced by the many darkies of the slavery period also.  These were on the order of concerts; and many darkies although they had no scientific training, became rather accomplished musicians in this respect.  Melodious music might be heard at these old fashion contests, as most darkies, who acquired knowledge in the playing of these instruments were familiar with nearly all the melodies and folks songs that were common to the period.