Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-07-24

lhhntely more TO be dreaded than the stralghtfor-
ward career of u caro, or brave one.
A single instance may show the danger of at
Itackngaone of these treacherous bulls. Ell Som
brerero, thus surnamed from having been once a
maker oil hats, was for some years the most noted
matadore In Spain. He dealing with
bull OF this description when the ANIMAL by an ir-
regular career, passed by his sword, caught him
upon his horns, and transfixing him. bore him bleed
/ ing round the arena. He at length dsenga-
( ged and taken off inscnsible Nevertheless he re-
covered slowly and, naturally enough, foreswore
his profession But the taste for these sports and
perhaps eXtravagant habits not to be gratfcd by
the narrow earnings of hat-maker, drove him back
at last to his old profession. He appeared again in
the lists, but no longer with his former GOODNESS
and intrepdy. | saw him Otlerward in Granada,
attacking bull Of the same character the one
which had been near destroying him. The &C.
centric charges Of the animal and his own fatering
thrusts rendered his situation most critical, and the
audience called loudly for the other matadore.--
This reused him, and a desperate though we'll
aimed thrust left him triumphant wondered more
that he should have been able TO enter the arena,
than that he should no longer do it with his former
lia8yer+aiy.
| Bot the bull in question was a claro. With
dart therefore in each hand, one of the cheros, now
become banderillero placed himself before the bull,
and invited him to attack by brondishng his weap-
ons. When at last the bull rushed with closed
eyes at his antagonist, the banderlero likewise ran
to meet him, and directing the darts at each side
Of his neck, allowed the horns of the animal to
pass under his right ARM while he ran away to gain
the security of the lobby and get n new supply of
banderillas. With the repetition of this torture,
the bull became madder than ever; rubbed his
neck against the boards of the barrier in the vain
hope of alleyiation-a hope which was set at naught
! by his own il-directed cXertons or by the malice
of those in the lobby, who would reach over and
force the darts deeper, until at last the prosecuted
hon oI Il
The bravery Of the BULL though fatal to the life
Of more than one victim, can never avail to save
his own. Nor can the tormens he has suffered be
urged in alienation of his destiny. The laws of
the Plaza are memorable his name is muerto, and
the red riblnd fluttering from his neck proclaims
that he must die. The conegidor is seen to wave
his handkerchief the trumpets blow warlike blast
and the mltadore faces his antagonist.
The man who now entered the lists at the sound
Of the trumpet was the principal matadore of Spain,
Manuel Romero by name. lie was a short man,
extremely well made, though inclining to corpu-
lence with small regular features, keen sure eye,
and such an air Of coldblooded ferocity as became
one whose business 1t was to incur danger and to
deal death. The dress of Romero was that of q
majo, covered with more than the usual quantity of
lace and embroidery; his hair combed backwards
; and plated into fiat queue was surmounted by
black cooked hat. In his left hand he held sword,
hi dcn in the folds of banner which was fasten-
red deepened here and there into deader die,
where it had been tsed after former combats to
wipe the sword of the matadore. 1t was to him at
once trophy and buckler, with the warriors
of old, who carried their achievements embazoned
/ on their shield.
Romero did not enter with the air of one who
knew his own force and despised his adversary;
nor though he had to hide faint heart under
careless brow but with fearless, determined, yet
quiet sen. Having approached the box of the cor
regidor, he took off his hat and made a low obes
ance then returned the salutations which greeted
him from the whole circuit of the amphitheatre.-
} This done, he threw his hat away, brushed back
few hairs which had escaped from the plating of
/ his queue, stretched his limbs to the elastic
tghtness of his costume, and then taking his we'll
tried blade from beside the banner, he displayed
long straight Toledano such as was once worn by
, cavaliers and crusaders.
Meantime the chuos were occupied in running
before the bull, and waving their coaks in his eyes,
in order to excite the last fit of erocity, which
to facilitate his own destruction In this way, the
bull was enticed towards the spot where the matl
j dore awaited him. The latter holding out the
, banner allowed the animal to rush against it, SEEM
G ngly astonshed at its little opposition. This
: twice repeated; but the third time the maadore
t held the banner projecting across his body while
with his right hand extended over the top he poised
: and directed the sword. Here is the last and most
t interesting moment of the whole contest; the null
d titude once more rise upon the benches All eyes
meet upon the glitterng point Of the weapon. The
bull now makes his final career; the banner again
gives way before him; his horns pass closely be-
e meath the extended arm of the maiadore but the
g sword which he held moment before is no longer
SEEM it has entered full length beside the shoulder
r, Of the BULL and the at the hilt is alone con-
G spicuous
IS Having received his death-blow, it is usual fol-
= the bull to fly believing to the extremity of the
n arena, and there fall and die. But the animal
d which had this day sustained the contest noby,
= was courageous to the last He continued to rush
h again and again with blind fury at the matadore,
l. who each time received the blow on his deceptive
i bucker laughed scornfly at the impotent rage Of
it his victim and talked to him estingly. The admi-
ration of the audience was now complete and cries
e whistling, and the cloud of dust which from
h the trampled benches, mingled with the clang Of
S. trumpes to proclaim the triumph of the matadore
r few more mpotent attacks of the bull, and his
l. strength began to pass away with the blood which
T. flowed fast from his wound, spread itself his
J. shoulder, and down his leg to sprinkle the dust
IN of the arena At length he could no longer adj
vance; the motion Of his head became tremuIous
4 and unsteady; he bowed to his fate, paused mo-
Of ment upon his knees, and then with low moar
ID settled upon the ground. At this moment vulgar
III murderer came from behind the barrier, where he
H. had hitherto remained in security He caught the
W animal by the left horn, then aiming certain blow
to with short wide dagger, he drove it deep into the
!: spine A convusive shudder for moment thrill
IN ed over the whole frame of the VICTIM and his tor
- ments were at an end.
I'd At this moment the gates on the right wer,
le thrown open, and three mules rushed in, harnesse,
to abreast and covered with bells flags and feathers
st Their driver hlstened to fasen strap round tn,
horns of the dead bull, and dragged him to whcr,
al lay the carcasses Of the two horses. Having tet
ri a rope about their necks he dashed his team into
M gaop and the inpatient beasts stirred up cou,
n of dust and left wide track to mark the cours,
ne which had been passed over by the conquerer an,
TO the conquered. The canaa, too, who had jumped
ne into the lists to sport with the rovos unmindf
IN that the animal which to-day furnished them witt
SIS ahuseulehr would tomorrow furnish them wit
nc iooH, ho" jumped upon hlm' greeted nm Wlu
ct kicks, and even fastened upon his tail. Trumpet