Sharp County record., 1882-09-07
JOE BENTLEY AND THE BULL.


Joe Bently was an American boy who
had been brought up on a cattle-tarm IN
the interior of one of the New England
States but who had left home for the
more congenial life on board man-of-
war. His first voyage took him to Lis
bon, where to his great delight he
learned that there was to be, during the
following Easter week, great bull
fight. The widest bulls had been
brought from Andalusia, large num-
Der 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.
The bull-fghts of Portugal are differ
ent from those of Spain in several i'm
portant particulars. At every such fight
in Spain, where this cruel sport is con-
Quoted in the most barbarOus manner,
many horses are killed, and sometimes
men, too fall victims, and at the close
of the fight the bull is dispatched by the
matadOr, or bull-kller. The law of
Portugal does not allow the bull to be
killed, and his horns are always padded,
or tipped with brass, so that he can not
gore the horses. Once in a while, how
ever, man is killed, in spite of this
precaution. The excitement is intense,
as the object is to drive or drag the bull
from the inclosure.
Accordingly, having obtained per-
mission to 60 ashoTeon the day of the
% 4t to he mad9 stsped lt am siry 5ne e0of or
the best -se,sss 't6S155uTs gslttifrar an
Lisbon must be there. All waited in
suspense for the Queen to enter the
royal box. Presently she appeared, and
was greeted with repeated cries of ap-
plause. 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 torment
ors in evading his olslaughts Final
ly, however, the superb animal had
driven all his opponents from the in
closure.
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 over
powered and taken from the ring. He
courageously made. the attempt, but
unhappily missed his aim and fell di-
rectly in front of the enraged animal.
At this moment of terrible suspense,
moreover, Joe suddenly saw what had
not yet 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 glaring 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 the naked horn. The young
man did not dare to move, for he was
aware that the bull possessed every
advantage. The excitement of the
audience was at its highest point, and
the overweight feelings of our hero
would allow him to retain his seat no
longer.
With the sprightliness of sailor-boy
lie leaped the paling. Everybody was
astonished. at his temerity. An En-
glishman present, fearing for the life OF
the Impractical lad, cried out: "Come
backr' Several Americans shouted for
him to leave the the ring. But Joe had
made the venture, and he was not 60
ing to be frightened from the ring. On
the farm at home he had conquered
many a steer quite as wild and power
full as even this maddened bull.
He was conscious that thousands OF
eyes were watching him with eager in
terest; but without hesitation he ad-
yanced toward the bull, coolly placing
himself so that with one hand he could
grasp the bulls holn, while with the
other he could seize his shaggy name.
I I eHi TfI0 yOumg InaII, mean niiU, miu feapeu
to his feet and retired to safe position,
leaving Joe to fight the bull asone.
Joes mode of attack had never before
been seen in Portugal and it appeared
the extreme of folly. A murmur OF
remonstrance was heard in every part
of the audience. Many cried out fol
the campinos to rush in and rescue the
reckless youth. The bull did not seem
to appreciate the turn events had taken,
and for moment stood motionless. A
strange silence, almost ominous of de-
feat to our hero. settled upon the