Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-04-06
Bull Fighting I'm Cuba.

A visitor in Havana writes they Lad a
bull fight on Sunday at Regla, across the
harbOr. / went to see it. / shall always
be sorry that didn't stay away, because
it has destroyed my fait b in pictures. Up
on the ferry boat two OF the matadors
were the centres of observation. They
were literally gotten up to kill. How
they did swaggerl Each had brand new
black pantaloons, gold embroidered short
jackets, with about len yards of parti-
colored silk wound about the waist, frilled
SHIRT fronts and other trappings too
numerous 10 detail The red cloth, which
was destined to provoke the Ire of his bull
ship, was carried over one shoulder with
jaunty effect. These ere the gentlemen
Or the amateur lighters, and this the
day of days for which they had SD long
waited to prove their powers. In dreams,
perchance, they had seen themselves stand
ing in the centre of the arena, with one
foot upon the slain beast, holding aloft the
bloody weapon red with the blood of the
enemy, while the plaudIts of thousands of
admlring Witnesses rang upon the air. The
structure where the conflict was to occur
proved to be wooden imitation of the
Colosseum. A row of boxes encircled the
upper portion, which were well filed with
the demimonde. Sloping downward
toward the centre were the open seats
mere planks, arranged as In a circus. The
central ring was about 100 feet in diameter
and encircied by close fence about seven
feet high A box decorated with the
Spanish arms was reserved for the officials
conducting the entertainment and for tbs
Chief of Police, gorgeous party, in red,
blue and gold lace. A young sport ap-
peared in the ring upon a fine Kentucky
horss and to this respondent cavalier the
key of the bull-pen was thrown. The gate
was opened and the performers appeared.
First, the four matadors, with brisk step
and air, wheeling smartly in front of the
directors. Then came the mounted cabal-
leros, whose mission was to stir up Taurus
with barbed pole. Four of these, also
upon the galvanized remains of
what had once been horses-beasts of a
build ouIvieing the steed of Don
Quixote or the historic and shadowy
Pegasus bestrode by the gallant leader OF
the n-acherel brigade. Even these poor
pride in their ancient bones and essayed a
feeble attempt AT gaieIy. Perhaps the
spurs had something to do with it. Be-
hind these came the professionals who
were to coach the ambitious youths in
their wOrk-a Misunderstanding gang that
ole would not like to meet on dark night.
Then the ring was cleared, and moment
;ater In dashed the bull, a noble old fellow,
with his eyes iull of the fury of coming
battle, turning quickly here and there,
ready TO charge anything on sight. A
partI- -colored bunch of ribbons huttered
over his back, pinned by cruel hook into
his hide. how beautiful and strong he
looked, standing there paving the earth
high in the AIR! Now 'coacher' came
out from behind one of the several screens
which gave refuge to the lormentors and
shook his cloth. Enough said: down went
the old bulls head, aud about two seconds
later down went the matador, but he was
only bruised a little and scared good
deal. Now the animal had his hands, or
rather his horns, full of business. A
lIght-footed fellow managed to pin a
couple Of darts q believe they call them
into the bulls shoulders, from
which punches OF ribbons fluttered gaily.
Another threw clcth over his horns, and
our amaieur who had been rolled in the
dust got in slight cut with his sword.
In the next round the bull tossed the gilt
edged youth over the fence, greatly to the
delight Of the audience. Good againl
Score one for the bull After TINS per-
formance Taurus retired to the opposite
side of the ring and looked as if he
wondered what they would try Lext. If
a bull ever laughed this one dId when he
saw that matauor sidle around the edge of |
the ring and dodge nervously behind the !
screens. ALI Of the fight was knocked out |
OF The chap. The 'cOachers' urged him |
on in vain. Now the bull went for one of |
the unhappy old steeds, rolling him over |
with his rider In common heap. He |
seemed 10 regard the horses $50 cailedl as
beneath bis notice, and became aggressive |
only when the rider pricked him with his |
lance. 30 the sport went on fOr an hour. |
] he bull, they sud, could not be killed. !
80 fellow came into the ring with Iasso |
and a momen- later a cowaIdly dirk had |
found vital spot aid the only hero OF the |
light fell dead. Tllen the half-gored OLD |
equ!nes were pushed tut of sight and a |
fresh bull sent in, with a repetition of the |
same disgusting aid brutal sights.