Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-10-26
A volunteer Bull Fight.

I remember once seeing, when q LAD at scnool,
a fight between two bulls. Although | could
not have been more than eight years of age, |
shall never forget the spectacle. 1t happened in
this wise: Close by the school house-a very
unpretending edifce it was-ran deep and
rapid river. Across it had been thrown high
wooden bridge, the hand-railiDg OF which time,
and the winds and the weather, had entirely
DESTROYED. The land on the opposite sides
of the stream was owned by different persons
and fsrmed by them respectively. One bright
simmer day-I remember it as if it were yes
terday-the hour of noon had arrived, and a
frolicksome, fun.seeking troop OF school boys
were let loose for an hours recreation. All at
once the believing and roaring of two bulls,
that had broken out of their enclosures on each
side of the river, attracted our attention. The
animals were not yet in sight OF each other, but
were approaching along the highway at a rate
of speed which would cause them to meet near
the centre of the high bridge which l have de-
scribed. and beneath which, at some thirty feet,
ran the river, between steep banks. The more
daring of rs gathered near the bridge, lining 1t,
TO see the anticipated fight We were not dis
appointed. Nearer, and nearer they approached,
the proud, paving combatants. Bashan never
produced two brutes of 6ercer aspect. They
iashed their sides with their tails they tore the
Ground with their feet Occasionally they
Rneeled down, trying to gore the earth with
their horns. And as yet they were concealed,
each from the other, by the ascent to the Dridse
at either end. ,.a
Presently. as they simultaneously ascended
the respective abutments, they came IN sight OF
each other. The roar was mutual and actually
tremendou,. Every urchin Of US sprang into
tho fields and ran. Finding, however, that VIC
ware Wa emo not pursued, we hastily retraoed our steps
There thew were, the terocious duslists, quite o.
sensibly employed as some OF their human lml
tators Front to front, their horns locked, every
muscle strained, they were fighting as only buli
can fight. 1t seemed an even match. Now on,
would press back his opponent few PAGES, ant
PRESENTLY YOU would hear quick, sharp, shor
Stems and his adversary would be pressed baci
in return. The struggling, was hard, was long
was savage. For awhile neither obtained 81
." Hitherto they had been pushing each othe
llenctbwise of the bridge; suddenly they bega'
to yheel and in moment were facing each oth
ar crosswise. They were at right angles VIII
N ths i lenoth of the old bridge, which shook, AM
cresked ora and rocked again with their trampln
onI their terrible strife. 1t was the work OF
I~ single moment one of the beasts could no
tlIs toIi wbicb-one of them, however, as If con
Soious se Of his position, made Violent despeI
ste' ste nunee forward and pressed his antogonis
ho~ot-beck-back-ti there was but anothe
Stsn aT behind him-between him and nothing J.
The The moment was one of intense interest to .
;nvenile spectators. Never was the amphithes
tre of Rome the scene of q more exciting CON
hat. Another step backward-yes, the unfortI
nate bull was forced to take It'll BACK ne
. pressed, and over he goes!
Such sight I never saw probably sna