Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-03-20
BULLfIaHTrSe IN MEXICO.

ana IfAmtAe4 y 9ofF Fa2n THf0uaH the
Pnnio-stricken Pepuiaoe.
A travelling correspondent of the San
Francisco Chronicle reached the ancient
town Of Bayderaguato, Just on the con-
fines OF Sinaloa and chihuahua, In
Northwestern Mexico, and upon asking
for guide TO continue bis journey was
told that the man he would have TO
employ was 10 participate In bull fight
the next day. The correspondent then
decided TO stay In the town one day
longer and witness the contest. which
proved to be an appalling affair. We
quote from his account:
The scene of the fight was to be in an
old corral inclosed on three sides by
high and thick adobe walls, and on the
other by what appeared to be an i'm
penetrable fence OF O growth of pith-
ava, q cactus OF q huted columnar
form and armed with bristling
array OF strong, sharp thorns. It
formed q fence which neither man
nor beast would endeavor TO break
through. A strong scaffolding had
been erected outside the adobe walls,
TO level with them, and on this were
arranged the seats from which the spec
tators could witness the sight free from
au danger. My host procured for me
front seat, from which could obtain
full view of the arena. / can never
forget the scene which was before me az
approached the seat which I was TO
occupy. The Mexican women delight
in brilliant eolors for their shawls and
dresses; and as the shawl is an indis-
pensable portion of their attire, il ia
generally selected more for the bril-
hancy Of its hues than any other quality.
The seats we're all occupied, most OF
them by women, and such an aggrega-
tion of gaudy tints do not think could
dress was old and faded, the shawl must
be warm in it's co.oring and flashing
with brightness. The aged crone was
there, dark in complexion. wrinkled in
visage, shriveled and bent in form, and
whitened 10 the hue Of snow in her dis
heveled locks. The maiden was there,
Of pure white Castilian blood, with
cheeks of purest white, eyes rivaling in
blackness midnight's darkest hour, long
glossy hair OF the tint of the ravens
wing, rested upon rounded shoulders,
and then falling away until il nearly
trailed upon the soil. Old men were
there, seemingly so old that il might be
thought that death had overlooked
them. Young men were there, dark
visaged, scowling jealously upon each
other, and with their mantas wrapped
about their shoulders, and their wide
brimmed hats shading their brows and
faces. Some were fully clad, while the
wearing apparel OF others consisted OF
merely trinity Of items, hat, sandals
and breechcloth. Some of this latter
class Of men were splendid specimens of
muscular development, 1.-the, active,
self-possessed, and evidently conscious
Of their strength and powers. One
especially drew my attention to him.
he was outside the arena when I passed
onward toward IL. / think l never saw
. more perfect form than his: il was one
that the sculptor would delight TO have
as o model, or the painter would rejoice
10 delineate upon his canvas. He held
in his arms his first born, which he fon-
died with fathers warmest pride, and
placed himself where could not fail to
notice his infant son. I made some
complimentary remark about his boy.
at which his eyes glistened with delight,
while the mother, who stood near, re.
piled in a musical voice with her thanks
for the notice of the babe. Back of the
group, upon the raised seat, rose the
white walls and dark, brown tile of the
church, while far, far away in the dis.
tance the lofty mountain tops glistening
in the sunshine closed the picture.
After taking my seat / looked down in
the corral, and could not but admire my
guide, not only for his powerful and
perfect build, but also for his good
humored expression and calm self. pos
session. As he loitered about in the
arena there was n self-conscipusness of
the victory he would achieve when his
opponent should be driven into the in
closure. There was some little delay
before the bull came.upon the scene; but
when large gate in the adobe wall was
opened, and he entered the corral with a
rush and q bound, q terrible present..
msnt Of an awful tragedy seemed TO
thrill the entire multitude. For myself,
IL so painfully impressed me that il
could have easily left the place I would
at once have done 80, although but a
moment before / had been 30 anxious
to witness the contest. II was : splendid
animal, well knit. strong and powerful.
II seemed to comprehend the situation
at once, for with loud tone il beloved
forth it's defiance to its antagonist, and
then, with head lowered to the ground,
commenced paving the earth and giving
demonstrations Of speedily commencing
the combat The attendants waved their
red flags before it, and irritated Ii still
more by prodding II with their sharp
pointed lances. Our hero closely watch
ed it's every movement with keen and In
tense interest, evidently aware that il
might make q sudden rush at any mo-
ment. With q roar that appeared TO
shake the very earth, and that certainly
threw terror into every heart in that
audience, IL sprang forward, lowering
its head with the design of tossing the
Mexican into the air but the attempt
was q failure, for he sprang quickly to
one side, aud goading with bis staff the
now incensed animal into state OF fury
as Il passed him, nerved himself for the
more serious part of the conflict.