North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-03-29

down on the ensanguined sand. And still
the music played its most stirring strains,
and still the people shouted, while the ladies
waved fans and handkerchicfs in tokan of an
plause, and all the CORY savagery Of the Span
ish national sport went on with sickening rep
etition. At last, nine horses being dead or
frightfully injured, two picadors having been
bruised by falling against the oaken barriers,
and the bull being much spent, the remaining
horsemen left the ridge. Ropes and hooks
were fastened to the carcasses of the slain
horses, and they were dragged away. and
fresh sand and sawdust were thrown down.
| 1t was time Cor the matador to appear
"Now, EngliShman, they are waiting for
| you. Remember the thrust and be COOL"
whispe: ed the manager. He led me into the
ring,and made my bow to the Captain Gen.
eral and another 10 the audience, while the
manager, with much grandiloquence, present
ed me to the public as "Don Enriques, of
London, the distinguished volunteer. who
had so kindly undertaken to fill the office of
the eminent Manuel Zagal." Scarcely had
he finished this speech before the bull began
to advance and my intrnducer hastily retired.
| stood alone in the ring, my heart beating
quickly, and red film seeming to obscure
my dazzled eyes, while the clamor of the
crowd and the consciousness that was the
mark on which thousands were gazing in
pltiless expectation almost unnerved me.
had faced danger before, but not in such a
shape, and | am not ashamed to own that for
moment my knees felt strangely weak, and
my pulse iuttered like bird over which the
hawk hovers. Then came book the thought
of Alice, and l was myself once more. Dis
regarding the specta tors, bent my whole
attention on the bull, which was slowly ap-
preaching me with its head bent down and
bloody foam dropping from its lips. steadi-
ed myself on my feet, carrying the cloak
gathered up on my left arm, and with my
right | Kept the sword pointed to the earth,
ready to spring aside when my antagonist
should charge. But the bull was more hurt
than had expected. His movements were
slow and painful, and the blood trickleH fast
from his bridled fanks. His rolling eye fixed
upon me, then he gave roar, and dashed at
me, while, following the managers instruc-
tlons, L avoided him by springing; aside,
thought the animal would have wheeled to
renew the attack, but the last rush had man.
ifestIy exhausted his remaining strength
lie fell on his knees, and did not rise till the
men IN foot bese, him with squibs aud darts
when pain and fury revived his forces, and
be again made foundering charge. This
time stepped aside, and without throwing
the cloak over Che bulls horns, plunged the
sword INTO his neck. He fell, and the audi
ence set up shout of'weIl done Inglese."
That vas an easy victory" whispered my
friend the manager, as he led me off, after
making my bow to the people "but don't
let it make you rash. The poor brute was
bleeding to death anybody Could see that.
1t will be different with the black Portu-
guese."
And so it proved, for the audience loudly
demanded that lhe lances' of the picadors
should be tipped with wood, all save point
about two inches long, so tkat the next bull
should show better sport. And not to dwell
on details, after five or six horses had been
disabled, the picadors retired, and amid |
flourish of trampets l was placed face to face
with the black Portuguese bull
"Bravo, toro look what wicked eve he
has bet an ounce of gold OH the bull r', :
shouted one amateur springing to his feet, and
there was burst of laughter at the offer of
this wager, but breathless silence succeeded !
as | advanced, step by step, towards where |
the bull stood, paving up the loose sand |
with his fore feet, and roaring low as be |
watched me. He was superb beast, very
large, but model Of symmetry, and his sa-
BILE coat, nov spotted with froth and gore. was |
as glossy as satin. He was very little hurt /;
his boodshot eyes rolled fiercely; he was
evidently gathering breath to renew tho bst- |
tie. On my part was well aware that nv |
my life hung by thread, but that ifI could
conquer this one bull. the last survivor, nv
work would be done, and the money-the |
price of mans safety-would be earned. A |
hasty word Of prayer rose from my heart to
my lips, and / advances cautiously but firm
ly. The bull appeared to be in no hurry
he waited, with heaving f1anks, close to one
of the barriers while drew pear
"Have care, Englishman, have care, he
means mischiefp cried some well meaning
spectator in the front row. Scarcely were
the words uttered, before with deep aud sud
den roar, the black bull came laundering
down upon me in headlong charge 1t was
all that could do to spring aside, and the
bull, unable to check himself, dashed his head
rgainst the wooden barriers with violence
that made many women in the lower tier
scream with alright. But with great quick.