Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-11-17
A BULL FIGHT IN HAVANA.
How the CuBnms Spend sunday After
noon.

the year, When gales are OF frequent occur.
renee. A squall on the Sth passed over
without doing us any HARM and there was
nothing to vary the monotony of the pas
sage.
should like to tell you more of the coun-
try, but for the present must confiue myself
to an account Of the bul-fght witnessed
on Sunday afternoon. went TO church
in the morning, and wishing to familia rizd
myself with the institutions OF the country aud
see the sport | had SO often read of as
characteristic of the Spanish people and
their descendants on this continent, | repair.
ed to the plaza de TorO" shortly before four
p. M, the hour when the affair was adver.
tised to commence. procured ticket for
two dollars, and waited patiently among the
crowd which besioged the gate of the plaza.
When the portals opened there was
a rush, which offered splendid opportunities
or piokpockets. of which understand they
frequently avaled themselves There were
about 5000 people in attendance, among
whom | noticed but two lades-quite a con.
trast to the attendance at church that morn
ing, where counted 10 persons, all told.
The proceedings commenced by excellent
music from the band. Then, amid the bare
of trumpets the picadors, three in number
and banderilleros, to the number Of half a
! dozen or more, entered the arena. The plea :
doris were mounted on the sorriest looking
specimens Of horsefeSh ever saw-spavined
ringboned and crippled. You may have
seen the like in Horrible" 4th Of July
procession. What burlesque to sec them
capering gaily about the circle, reminding
one Of the coquetres OF would.be youth
ful old maid.
The banderilleros carry hashy colored
streamers to attract the bull and also at
timcs, whom he is too tame, insert explosive
darts in his shoulders just to induce him to
take more interest. The horsemen sit ele-
gautly in the saddle are armed with lances
that have about an inch of pointed steel at
the end, merely enough to goad the animal
but incapable Of wouuding severely The
circle in which they play is about 40 yards
in diameter, and the seats rise one above the
other, concentric as in a circus.
a wooden partition, some seven feet in
height, separates the actors from the
spectators. Retreats are set up at
convenient intervals about the circle, to
which the men resort when too closely pressed
by the bull.
The ampitheatre is open at the top some
half dozen seats on the highest range only
are shaded by roof. The sport is really
interesting, although it may be demoralizing
Not having any prejulicos, | believe | was
about as much excited as any Of the specta
tors.
The trumpet again sounds, and the bull
dashes in from door at the opposite side.
He, as well as human antagonists were i'm.
ported from Mexico. lie was a feroc Gus,
fnc looking animal, not very large, and
broke into the arena with head erect and ex.
pandei nostrils, his tail half raised, his wild
wondering eye glaring round. His hair
was long, his frame gaunt and his horns
long and sharp pointed,
There was no hesitation In his move.
mcnts as he carcered first at one and then at
another of the men who Haunted brilliant
coored streamers across his very nose, Flu.
rously he would charge aud adroity they
world clude him. 1t was simple matter
for bauderilleros to escape his fury, but with
the horscmen it was different.
They had to meet him face to face as he
charged, and with lance couchod, ward off
ii possible, his iiorcest onset. They endeav
ored 10 thrust at his neck, near the shoulder
Sometimes they would keep him off, and ther
again the point Of the lance only entering
an inch seemed to rritate him the more
and he would drive his horns to the socke
into the poor horses chest or flank, rolling
horse aud rider in the DUST the man, as hap
pened several times, being undermost the
excitement was intense.
The possibility Of seeing the horsemer
gored TO death was fairly inebriating. Somt
of the spectators clutching their seats leaned
forward, an expression of deepest interest
depicted on their eager features. Som
shout some curse they do curse in Cuba
and the Americans expectorate little NOR,
freely than ever, but their countenAnce
scarcely change.
A flag Haunted in the face of the con
queror diverted him from his fallen foes anC
they we're saved for the time The horse
men or picadores remain some fifteen minutes
il the ring. If the horse is killed another
is brought 10. This was the most cruel par
Of the periormance-to see tho doienccles
old hacks gored to death, the blood flowing
in torrents from their wounds and often theil
entras protrudng. Even thus manned, i
was astonishing to see with what courag,
they would face the foe.
After the picaloros retire the matador o.
swordsman, comes upon the scene. 1t is hi
duty to administer the "coup de grace" b,
thrusting tho sword into tho animals hear