Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-08-27
A SPANISH BULL FIGHT.


A SPANISH BULL FIGHT.
One day Don Philippe insisted upon taking
us to witness bul-fght, which was about to
take place, and which it was reported, the queen
herself was expected to attend. This was q
spectacle we had never yet beheld, and our Gu
riosity was therefore aroused to the highest pos
sible pitch of excitement. Visions of blood float
ed before our fancy, and flashing steel cleaned
across our sight Anxiety stood on tip-toe, and
the moments flew slowly by, until the wished
for hour arrived. We left the business of secu-
ring seats in the arena to Philippe, who by early
application, succeeded in obtaining for us as ell
igible positions for witnessing the spectacle as
we could reasonably desire. The critical mo-
ment was now at hand, our hearts almost leap
ed from our mouths, so deeply were we excited
in contemplation of the sanguinary event. At
length the trumpets sounded, and forthwith en-
tered, in martial array, the entire body of CON-
batants, gayly dressed, and presenting together
most striking and brilliant effect. Marching
to the opposite side of the ring, they respectful
ly bowed to the appointed authorities, and then
took their places, in complete readiness for ac-
ton. At given signal, small iron gate was
suddenly opened, and in an instant a furious bull
bounded frantically into the arena; and then, as
if petrifed with astonishment at the wonderful
scene around him, he stood motionless for few
seconds, staring wildly at the immense assembly
and paving vehemently the ground beneath his
feet. 1t was a solemn and critical moment, and
| can truly say that never before experienced
such an intense degree Of curiosity and interest
My feelings were wound up to the highest pitch
of excitement, and can scarcely believe that
even that terrible human tragedy, bloody gla-
diatoral scene could have affected me more deep
ly. The compressed fury Of the bull lasted but
an instant: suddenly his glaring eye caught the
sight of a red flag, which one of the chuIos, or
foot combatants, had waved before him, and i'm
mediately he rushed after his nimble adversary,
who evaded his pursuit by Jumping skillfuly
over the lower inclosure Of the ring. The her.
culean animal, thus baked in his rage, next
plunged desperately toward one of the picadoreS,
or mounted horsemen, who calmly and fearless
ly awaited his approach, and then turned off his
attack by the mastery management Of his long
and steel-capped pike, Thwarted once more in
his purpose, he became still more frantic than
before, while his low and suppressed roar, en-
pressive of the concentrated passion and rage
which burned within him, sounded like distant
thunder to my ears. Half closing his eyes, and
lowering his formidable horns, he darted again
at one Of the picadores, and with such tremen-
dous power, that he completely unhorsed him.
Then shouts Of applause from the spectators
filled the arena: Bravo toro" viva toror'
and other exclamations of encouragement for
the bull broke from every mouth. The picador
lost no time in springng to his feet and re-
mounting his horse, which hhowever,could scarce
y stand, so weak was the poor creature from
the stream Of blood issuing from the deep
in A
bull, whose attention had been purposely with
drawn by the chulos, beheld his former adverse
ry now crimsoned with gore, he rushed at him
with the most terrific fury, and, thrusting his
horns savagely into the lower part of the totter-
ing animal, lie almost raised him from his feet,
and so lacerted and tore open his abdomen, that
bis bowels gushed out upon the ground. Una
BILE any longer to sustain himself the pitiable
animal fell down in the awful agonies of death,
and in few moments expired. Two other hor-
ses shortly shared the same miserable fate, and
their mangled bodies were lying covered with
blood, in the centre of the arena. The bull him
self was now becoming perceptibly exhausted
and his own end was drawing nigh. For the
purpose of stimulating and arousing into mo-
mentary action his rapidly-waning strength, the
assailants on foot attacked him with barred darts
called banderilloS, which they thrust with skill
into each side Of his brawny neck. Sometimes
these little javelins are charged with prepared
powder, which explodes the instant that the
sharp steel sinks into the flesh. The torture
thus produced drives the wretched animal to the
extreme of madness, who bellows and bounds
in his agony, as if endued with the energy of q
new life.
On the present occasion,the arrows used were
not of an explosive character yet they served
scarcely less efectually TO enrage the furious
monster. But bark the last trumpet is sound
ing the the awful death-knell of the warrior
beast The ring becomes instantly cleared, and
the foaming animal stands motionless and alone
! sole monarch of the arena. But the fiat has
gone forth, and the doom of death is impending