Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1875-02-05

Mrs. WETMoRE writes in the Cleveland
Herald of a Peruvian bullfght, and
says:
At three o'clock dozen rockets were
fired off-the band struck up spirited
march, and the little army of capeadores,
picadores and matadores entered the
arena and made partial CIRCUIT around
the amphitheater, stopping in front of
the city officials, whom they saluted with
characteristic grace. The capeadores
were on horseback, two in number,
plainly dressed in dark blue-wearing
broad brimmed hats-their brilliant capes
hanging gracefully over the arm. Fol
lowing, came two picadOres carrying
barbed arrows, and dressed in soft shades
of blue and violet the knee-pants mag
nificently embroidered in parti-colors at
the side, the waists glittering network
of jet; black caps and delicately- shaped
capes on the arm completed these unique
costumes, which seemed to serve as
shadows to set off the gorgeous mata-
dores, or bull-killers, four in number
who were attired in magnificence far be
yond the others. Finely-formed men
they were-the atadores-dressed in
yellow satin and other bright colors, the
knee-pants worked with red and white
and green elaborately; the upper part of
the dress seemed blaze of silver en-
broidery, and threw out scintillations of
light with every step, while the black
caps, long, cleaning swords and glowing
capes all combined to set off the rich
Moorish face, full of naughty pride,
fire and cruelty. The little procession
wound around like a glittering SER
pent, as beautiful as it was cruel
fascinating yet repulsive, keeping time
to the grand music and-waiting! 1t may
be we'll to say here that a labyrinth of
poles is in the center of the ring, driven
in close enough to be a refuge in case
the bull-fghter is too hard pressed, and
many other retreats there are, built near
the high fence inclosing the arena.
Soon side door opened and bull,
maddened by previous torture, bound
ed into the ARENA train of tOrpedoeS
saluting him. He stood still an instant,
painting with excitement, his beautiful
eye filled with wild expression then,
paving the earth furiously, he was ap-
preached by capeadore, who fiaunted
his bright capes in his face. The en-
ragged beast rushed at full speed upon
horse and rider, but just as the horns
were lowered TO gore them the capea-
dore, with wonderful dexterity, turned
his horse quickly in another direction and
repeated the teasing, which was followed
by another attack-the bull being out
maneuvered by the sudden approach and
irritating display of the other capeadore
and thus they drew the danger from
one to another. &. But not always does the
capeadore escape; many times year
horse and rider are killed or severely
wounded by an unusually fierce or fleet
bull. When at last the poor animal be-
came intoxicated with frenzy, then the
wild play between the matadores, the
picadores and their victim commenced,
and the. excitement made one shudder
and grow sick with horror.
1t seemed as though evil spirits clothed
in dazzling garments were before US,
tempting death in every motion; flying
in every direction they were, their long
capes now trailing on the ground-wind-
ing in and out of the labyrinth OF
poles-rushing at full speed the whole
length of the arena, the bull, like wild
demon, close at their heels, till some re-
treat was reached and the baffied animal
given chance to make but plunge,
when another chase was given him. At
last he began to show fright with his an
ger; then a picadore, wi h the most ln-
siduous daring and graceful motion, ap-
preached the bulls head, whirled a
scarlet cape in his face, and with a
swift throw fastened into the neck a
barbed arrow. Three or four of these
weapons were thus planted, and a wreath
of blood encircled the suffering Great
ure's neck. Shaking his head and
bounding with pain he became terrible
in bis fury, which met with correspond
ing increase of agility and power ON the
part of the matadOres and picadores. AT
this juncture matadore presented him
self before the master of ceremonies and
asked permission to kill the bull. IL
was granted he bowed low in acknowl,,
edgment of the favor, and came forward
with proud bearing, sword IN hana,
over which gay cloth was thrown 10 at
tract the poor animal to his death. Inen
this fearful tragedy in pantomlme IN
creased each moment In fascination and
cruelty. blanching the cheek of novice
and bringing the color of excitement to
the faces of those accustomed to such
scenes.
No words can describe the infuriated,
passionate, bleeding creature, painting
with fear, tossing his head madly with
pain, paving the earth in desperation,
and yet relentlessly pursued by MS TOT
mentors, who grew more daring as the
excitement increased. Recklessly these
men exposed themselves to danger
dartinr under the bulls horns. running
| races with only the trailing cape between