Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-21

cred with gold and silver lace and bull
lion, the brilliant Andalusian sash wound
round their waists, and their limbs en-,
cased in silk knee-pants, long stockings,
and low shoes. Each was dressed in
different shade or color, that they might
be easily distinguished from each other
during the fight. Over their shoulders
was flung, with the inimitable grace Of
Spaniard, bright colored cloak, and on
their heads they wore the national hat
Following them came three horsemen,
each with a long spear in his hand, and
dressed in as peculiar but less gorgeous
a manner. Next were several nen lead
ing the bulldogs, which are used to
worry the bull; if he is too tame, and
finally came three mules harnessed
abreast, and covered with bells and
plumes. These remove from the ring
the bodies of the bulls and horses after
each fight is over. The procession
marched quickly to the front Of the royal
box, bowed low to the presiding duchess,
and then fastened to assume their posi-
tions for the fight. The horsemeu, first
binding with handkerchief the right
eye Of the horse. placed themselves
against the fence just to the left OF the
door from which the bull was to emerge,
the footmen dispersed over the various
parts of the arena, and then all eyes were
cast toward the duchess, who is to give
the signal to commence. Meanwhile,
the bull has been driven up to the inside
of the door, and heavy block of wood
studded with sharp needles was sus-
pended so as to fall on his neck when the
door opened. The bugle sounded again,
the block fell heavily upon the bull, and
with roar of pain and fury the beast
dashed into the ring.
To say that at this moment wished
myself anywhere but in my chair on the
upper tier of the Seville bull ring; that
my fair neighbor was in the midst of a
terrible fit Of shakes; that the fat old
doctor beyond proposed most earnestly
to 90 heme, and that the ladies hid their
faces or pulled out their smelling salts,
would be telling but half the truth. Every
moment we expected to see wounded
or dying man tossed up amongus, though
we agreed he could rot seek better So
ciety, there being the doctor in our party.
However, perceiving after q few mo-
ments such visit had probably been in
definitely postponed, we gradually be-
came more collected, and were able to
observe what was goirg on below. l will
in advance state that by the time the
second ball had been dispatched, all these
fears and feelings left us, and we were
able calmly to witness the perils and
dangers attending this fearful sport.
The first object that met the eye of the
infuriated bull as be dashed into the
ring was the horseman stationed just to
the left of the door. The blinded eye of
the poor horse was turned that way, so
he did not see the beast rushing to wreak
his vengeance upon him. But the rider
held in his hand long slender pole, in
the end of which was inserted the sharp
point of knife, double-edged, and half
an inch long. Inserting the pole or
spear firmly under his arm, the horse
man awaited the attack Down came the
bull believing with fury, and anticipating
a speedy revenge, but the sharp point of
the spear caught him in the shoulder
and turned off the attack. A frightful
wound over ten inches long, but only
half an inch deep, was visible in
the bulls shoulder. Infuriated more
than ever by this, be dashed on at the
second horseman, and in a moment the
horse and his rider we're rolling in the
dirt. Before the sull could attack the
lallen man, who was lying as still as
death, a footman had rushed up and
flaunted his brilliant red cloak in the
beasts face. No sooner was this done
than he left his fallen enemy, and rushed
after the cloak Across the ring they
ran, the man holding on to the cloak, the
bull striving to overtake it. Shouts and
cheers arose on every side. Men and
women stood up and screamed in Span
ish to the man as he fed before the ami.
NAL. But the bull gained on him; IT was
a race for life; the cloak was suddenly |
dropped, and just as the bull was upon |
him, the fence was reached and cleared |
at bound, while the horns of the pur-
suer we're driven into the boards. As
constituent as well as rage at the eusmy's
escape seemed to take possession of the
bull, and he stood looking at the fence, |
and shaking his black head at the mans
face looking over the top. Meanwhile
the fallen horse had been raised to his
feet, and his rider was preparing to
Bot Bot so-- we began to see the
part of the fight. The horse
was found to be terribly, even fatally
wounded; his abdomen had been ripped
open, and his entrails were
dragging upon the ground. Yet he had
some strength left, aud it was decreed
that during the few moments he yet
lived, he must again meet the bull AS
he tottered across the ring, urged on by
his riders spurs, an assistants whip, he
caught his feet in. his own bowels and
tore them into a thousand shreds. Ii
was disgusting and sbomiueble spec
tacle, and none but q degraded nation
would tolerate such inhumsn sport. But
before the poor animal got near the bull
be staggered and fell, and with q few
struggles died. Thunders Of applause
greeted the event, for the entrance of
ieath thss early in the 6ght greatly
pleases and gratifes the SpaniArd. Other
horses we're driven toward the ball. only
% be cruelty gored on his sharp horns
Oue horse and rider were tossed With
almost supernatural strength into the
,ir, and turning . complete somsrsault
anne down, the man senseless, the beast
lead. Horrid looking gashes appeared I
Ipon the shoulders Of the ball, and his I
orelegs were covered With his own blood !
When four horses were lying dead on the I
ield 8dthree others standing near badly I
. signal from the royal box