Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-08-09
How Joe Bentley Won Bouquet from
the Queen Of Portugal.

Joe benUley was an American boy VINO |
had been brought up on cattle-farm in the |
interior of one of the New England states /; |
but who had left home for the more congen- |
ial life on board a man-of-war. His first |
voyage took him to Lisbon, where to his |
great delight he learned that there was to |
be, during the following Easter week,
great bull-fght The widest bulls had been
brought from Andalusia, large number of
horses from the royal stables were to be in
the ring, the queen herself would preside
and distribute the favors, and, in short, it
was to be the grandest bull-fght seen in
Portugal for many years.
All this had a peculiar fascination for
Joe. In all his illusions to Portugal and
Spain, he had declared to the boys that the
only thing he cared to see in those countries
was bull-fght.
Accordingly, having obtained permission
to go ashore on the day of the fight, he
made his way at an early hour to the bull
ring, and obtained one of the best seats
lie thought that all Lisbon must be there
All waited in suspense for the queen to
enter the royal box. Presently she APP
peared, and was greeted with repeated cries
of applause. Then the sport began, and
Joe watched with interest and enthusiasm
the mad rush of the bull into the ring, and
admired the agility of his tormentors in
evading his onslaughts. Finally, however,
the superb animal had driven all his OPP
ponents from the incosure.
For an instant the bull was master of the
ring.
The most perilous feat of the bull-ring
was now attempted. A young man covered
with silver lace hung all over with little
bells, undertook to throw himself between
the bulls horns and cling to them till the
bull should be sufficiently exhausted to be
overpowered and taken from the ring. He
courageously made the attempt, but I'M
happily missed his aim and fell directly in
front of the enraged animal.
At this moment of terrible suspense,
moreover, Joe suddenly saw what had not
been discovered by any one else-that the
bull had lost the padding from one of his
horns. He stood over the young man, his
eyes glazing and his whole attitude one of
furious anger. He refused to be diverted
by the colors glancing all around him, and
he seemed to be considering whether he
should trample on his victim or pierce him
with his naked horn. The young man did
not dare to move, for he was aware that the
bull possessed every advantage. The ex-
element of the audience was at the high
est point, and the over-wrought feelings of
our hero would allow him to retain his
seat no longer.
With the sprightliness of sailor boy he
leaped the paling. On the farm at home
he had conquered many steer quite as
wild and powerful as even this maddened
bull. He was conscious that thousands of
eyes were watching him with eager interest;
but without hesitation he advanced toward
the bull, coolly placing himself so that with
one hand he could grasp the bulls horn,
while with the other he could seize his
shaggy name. The bull did not seem to
appreciate the turn events had taken, and
for moment stood motioDless. Suddenly
the animal recovered himself, and with an
angry flaunt of his head, renewed hostiities.
As good seaman favors his ship in
hurricane, so Joe resolved to humor the
bull. He realized that he must take care
of his strength, for he would need it all
before he got through with his antagonist.
Now the bull began to exhibit his wrath.
lie writhed, and hooked, and stamped,
One instant the audience expected to see
\ poor Joe dangling from his horns, and the
next trampled helpless beneath his feet.
But Joe chung as he would cling to life
line in fearful surf During the inter
walls Of the bulls violence, as in the water
on its ebb, he struck CALAMITY upon his
feet. Each time he did so, cries of Bravo
bravol" rent the air. The bull continued
to put forth still greater power. He plunged
and tore around the ring. Alternately he
Jumped and swung Joe from his feet, and
fairly spun him through the air. The pa
vilion tossed and reeled and whirled before
Joe's giddy sight. Round and round flew
the bull as in race for life. Several
times he completed the circuit of the ring
circle of dust rose from his track and
hung over it like wreath of smoke.
How Joe held on He feared he could not
endure the shock and strain for minute
longer, and he dreaded to let go. He began
to lament his rashness. But all at once the
bulls speed slackened. Joe felt thrill of
gratitude as his feet once more touched the
ground. He was tired of flying, and was
very glad to run. The bull, convinced that
he could not liberate his horn from Joe's
unyielding grip, came to halt, and with
disappointed anger began to paw the ground.
Joe had longed for this advantage, which,
strange TO say, bull seldom gives till to-
ward the close of fight, and he sprang di-
rectly in front of him and firmly grasped
both horns. "Bravo bravo ~ rent the air.
Joe braced himself and waited, and when
the bull threw his foot high in the air with
its little cloud of dust, by quick power
full movement, Joe twisted his head TO one
side so strongly that the fierce animal was
thrown off his balance, and fell heavily upon
his side.
A score of men rushed in to hold him
down until he should be secured then he
was rolled triumphantly from the ring. Joe
was almost deafened by the applause. He
suddenly found himself hero in the esti-
nation of the audience, and was over
whelmed by the outbursts of enthusiasm.
He was not allowed to leave the ring until
he had been led to the royal box, where the
queen, with her Own hand, passed him
beautiful bouquet She also extended to
him an invitation to come to the palace,
where she herself would receive the brave
American boy.-&. Nicholas for August.