Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-02
Subduing a Bull.


A WRITER in the New York Ledger
says:
One of the most thrilling scenes ever
witnessed in the amphitheater at Caalz
transpired in the autumn of 1o4l. was
in the city at the time but was not present
at the theater. The circumstances were
related to me by friend. 1t VIII oe I'M
derstood that the really thrilling scenes on
such occasions are not of blood. Blood is
too common a thing at bull-fight for
rivers of it, be it brute or human, to thrill
the ordinary audience. Something out of
the ordinary line is what transpired on
the occasion to which | refer.
Notice had been posted in all the public
places that on certain day the bull called
Ell Moro (the Moor would be introduced
have been goaded to the utmost fury
young girl would appear and reduce the
animal to quiet subsection. The people OF
Cadiz had heard of Ell Moro as the most
magnificent bull ever brought into the
city, and it soon became known that the
girl thus advertised to appear in so strange
and daring part was a peasant girl OF
Espera who had petted the bull and fed it
and cared for it during the years OF its
growth.
On the appointed day, as might be sup
posed, the vast amphitheater was filled to
OVERLOOKING with an anxious, eager crowd.
Two bulls had been killed and dragged
away, and then the flourish of trumpets
announced the coming of the hero of the
day. With deep, terrific roar, Ell Moro
entered upon the scene He was truly
magnifcent-a bovine monarch-black
and glossy, with eyes of fire, dilating nos
trils and wicked-looking horns. The
picadores attacked him warily, and hurled
their banderillos (small, dart-l javelins,
ornamented with ribbons and intended to
goad and infuriate). The bull had killed
three horses off-hand, and had received
eight banderillos in his neck and Shout
ders, when, upon given signal, the plea
dores and matadores suddenly withdrew,
leaving the Infatuated beast alone in his
wild paroXysm of wrath.
Presently a soft, musical note, like the
piping of a lark, was heard, and directly
afterward a girl, not more than fifteen
years of age, with the tasteful garb of an
Andalusian peasant, and with pretty
face, sprang lightly into the arena, APP
preaching the bull fearlessly, at the same
time calling his name-
Moro! Moro! va voy!''
At the first sound of the sweet voice the
animal had ceased his fury and turned to-
ward the place whence 1t came, and when
he saw the girl he plainly manifested
pleasure. She came to his head and put
forth her hand, which he licked with his
tongue. Then she sang a low, sweet song,
at the same time caressing the animal by
patting him on the forehead, and while
she sang the suffering monarch kneeled
at her feet. Then she stopped and gently
removed the cruel banderillos, after which.
with her arm around Ell Moro's neck, she
led him toward the gate of the torrH
Until now the multitude had been spell
bound, but when they saw the gentle mis-
tress thus triumphant a shoutwent up that
shook the very walls. In an instant the
bull turned, the flame again in his eye, but
the girl very soon subdued him and led
him out from the ARENA prize which
she was to carry back with her to her
home.