Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-06-16
A Memphis Boys Graphic Des'
, criptiOn Of q Bull Fight.

We are permitted to use a portion
ola private letter written by Mr.. Pat
Farnsworth to a member Of his family
in this city. 1t is all the more read
able and natural, because not pre-
pared for the public eye. Mr.. Farms
worth is with a railroad surveying
party which will probably reach San
Antonio about the first Of July.
SAN LUIS PoTosI, May q, 81.
~ 4 We have stayed here longer
than was expected, on account Of not
meeting Eugene Girard, who was sent
to Mszatlan, to examine the route
across the Sierra Madres to the Pacific.
Some anxiety is felt in regard to his
safety, as he is a week behind time.
There is a rumor that a railroad man
has been robbed coming from the
coast. He was we'll armed but alone.
Yesterday | saw my first bull fight,
and as it may interest you, will tell all
about it. The place was called LA
Plaza de Toros." 1t was perfectly
round, with raised seats round that,
all built of brick and stone, and looked
like pictures of the ancient Roman
amphitheaters. At 3 o'clock Garrison
and myself went down and chose good
seats and waited until FIVE, when the
fight began. First,two horsemen with
lanees came in and ranged themselves
on each side of the door from which
che bulls entered. Their horses had
an armor of tough raw hide all round
their bodies 1.-THE hO-semen's names
professionally are "picadores''). Then
seven men and their captain came out
all dressed in red silk or velvet, with
knee breeches, with sashes around
their waists and red flags in their
hands. They are called "banderil-
los" their captain the "matador.''
The master of ceremonies then blows
a call on his bugle. and all start for
the door except the picadOres. The
door was opened and one man waved
his flag in front of the door, and a
large black bull rushed out. head aud
tail up, his eyes flashing fire. The
banderlllos then leased him with
their flags, putting it in front Of him
and jumping aside quickly, and when
pushed too closely running behind one
of the five wooden guards placed too
close to the wall for the bull to get
behind. Then they would use their
flags in such o manner as to make the
bull charge the picadores. There was
the place most Of the danger came in,
for the lances were made only to stick
enough to make him mad. Several
times the horse and rider both tum-
bled backward over on the ground.
When they have the bull per-
fectly furious the pieadOres ride out
of the ring. aud a banderillo takes one
banderilla "a dart covered with dags)
in each hand and gets the bulls at.
tehtion attracted to him, runs up and
sticks them both on the bulls body
Just behind his head. lie does this
until the bull is almost crazy, then the
matador takes \ small sword in one
hand and a flag in the other, and after
foiling the annual one or two times,
jumps nimbly aside as he makes a
rush and plunges his sword into his
body, generally killing him the first
thrust, then the lazadores (three men
on horseback) come in and drag him
out at full gallop. There were five
bulls killed yesterday, and the horse
of n Of the picadores, the bull
charging him and thrusting his horn
clean through the raFhide, way into
his body, and throwing him over back
wards.
l have no late news, but hope u
hear from you at Monterey.
pAT