Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-21
And now that The bull bad become

And now that the bull bad become
somewhat fatigued, and his first rage aud
fury slightly cooled by the sharp-pointed
lances, the footmen undertook to con-
tiuue the fight. One OF the most skillful
of their number advanced to the center Of
the ring, holding in each hand a gayly
decorated stick of some two feet in length.
In one end Of each stick was fixed
sharp iron like the head of harpoon,
which, when once thrust into the bull, is
with great difficulty removed. The other
footmen gradually drew the bull toward
the principal, and then, at signal from
him, withdrew. The man and the bull
eyed each other for moment and then
rushed forward, the darts, or sticks, being
held at arms length. On they came,
directly toward each other, until it
seemed as if fthe fellow was directly on
the horns but just at that moment, when
we expected he would be killed, he drove
the darts into the bulls neck and slipped
quickly to one side. The bull danced
round the ring in terrible agony, the
liquid in which the darts had been
dipped not being soothing lotion.
In a moment two more darts were
hanging from his neck. The man
then took seat in chair which
was placed in the center of the ring,
and awaited there the charge of the
bull. The creature rushed on as fercely
as ever, but just at the moment when the
man ought to have been killed, he slipped
from the chair and thrust in the darts.
The chair few into thousand pieces,
but the man was safe. Suddenly the
bugle called off the torturers, and an
nounced to the spectators that the final
act of this terrible drama had com.
menced. w np1 hHie a
While the bull was dancing attendance
to the red cloaks in one part of the ring,
a fostman removed his hat and advanced
in front of the royal box. He knelt, and
addressing the duchess, said that with
her permission, he would proceed to dis
patch the bull Holding long, slender
double-edged sword in one hand, and
small red flag in the other, he advanced
toward the now painting and exhausted
animal. The other fighters all retired,
and the matador, as he is called, was
left to battle alone. This is the most
dangerous part of the fight, and now,
if at all, we mayl expect an accident
The three doctors on the upper tier
prepared to offer their profe ssional SER
vices, aud consulted together as to the
best way to suppress hemorrhage or
mend a broken head. But the matador,
knowing nothing of their kind intentions,
proceeded calmly to perform his work
The red flag was held at arms length, and
carried in front of the bulls face. The
creature charged, but the flag was jerked
over his head. Astonshed, he turned and
charged again, but with the same result.
At length, weary and puzzled, he refused
to notice the flag, and it was time to
use tie sword Turning his left side
to the bulls face, and holding the sword
high in air, the matador awaited the at
tack. All was quiet as night, for the
eventful moment had come. A mans
life was in great danger, and the least
slip would be fatal. The bull rushed to-
ward his opponent, Che sword flashed
through the air, the man threw his whole
weight forward, and with the combined
impetus of the two, the steel was buried
deep in the creatures neck. As the bull
rushed round the ring in his dying agony,
the sword worked completely through his
body, and the point appeared between
his forelegs. Another sword was
brought the matador, and another
wound given. But the third time the |
man was more successful, and the
steel entering between the vertebra OF
the bulls neck, the mighty creature |
dropped dead. And now was heard the |
curious mingling of sounds, which de. |
noted the assembled multitude's delight |
shouts and cheers were heard on every |
hand; the gipsies clapped their hands,
opposite q man beat vigorously on a tin |
pan he had brought for the purpose; |
others sprung wstchmen's rattles, and
Two little Moorish boys played an inter- /
ssting duet on piece of stove pipe they
had brought in. The duchess smiled ap-
proval, and the gentlemen flung their
cigars and shining silk hats into the
ling; the former the men retained, the
after they threw back without the least
reference TO where they came from. The
,and played some Andalusian air, the
mules came in, and the bull and his four
7ictims disappeared forever from our
light. Fresh dirt was thrown upon the
bloody track, and everything was ready
o begin again.
The second bull was as fierce as the
irst Again were the horses gored and
,illed again were the burning darts
hrust into the lsceratcd shoulders, and
gain the assembled thousands applauded
,ach successful act. But the matador
iad this time an easy victim. Immedi.
.tely the bull received the first sword
gound, all spirit of resistance TO his hard
ate seemed to leave him. BE slowly
ralked away to a farther part Of the ring,
nd lying down, quietly awaited the ex-
cutioner's stroke. No effort Of the
natador could rouse him from his place.
Tags, cloaks and sword points we're alike
nheeded. Stubborn 10 the last, be re.
used to rise, and when the maiador
rasped his horn, preparatory to the final
low, he remained as quiet and docile as
lamb. The executioDer held in his
aud q long, sharp knife, aud slowly
orcing this into the bulls neck, the sec
nd victim rolled over dead.
Il was half-past six o'clock when the
let bull was dead. and the mighty crowd
people commenced 10 leave the scene
Z 50 much misery. The setting sun !
as shining brightly on the lofty tower
sbe old cathedral, the GusdalQuiver
as Sowing By as gently as ever; the
" wore the deep blue tint Of the souih-
IN chimes, as We walked slowly and
uietly back 10 our hotel. We bad seen
% much misery 70 be IN = lively nood. (
% no one Of cur party wished ever