The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-06-07
ABULL-FIeHT IN HAVANA.
How the brutal sport Ia Carried on In
Cubn'a Capital.

intervals Of ten minutes. Ii is circular
in form, covering space Of about
seventy-fve feet, inclosed by strong
board fence about six feet high. Inside
of the pit and standing about fifteen
inches from the fence are four shields
or protectors of boards, about five feet
wide and as high rs the fence itself
placed at equal distances apart within
the circle. These are intended for the
protection of the gladiator, who retires
behind these places when too closely
pursued by the bull. Beginning from
the top of this fence and extending all
around the pit are rows of seats ru ming
upward for twenty feet in a similar
manner to that of circus. at the
top of which is a platform covered
overhead and protected by railing ex-
tending around the entire circle of as
cending seats. This platform is in
tended exclusively for ladies and for
reserved seats. In the center of this
circular platform and in the most prom
inent position is erected a private box
for the, governor general and fam
lily, with his retinue and bugler. Be
meath tn seats and around the fence is
twenty feet in width, and at several
points therefrom steps are erected run
ming up and through the seats as modes
of ingress and egress to and from them.
There are two large gates cut in the
ence, to the rear of which are four
small pens, or Enclosures, where
the bulls are kept separate.
ana from which : they rush
through the open gate into the pit.
The other gate is for the purpose of
dragging them out when killed by the
gladiator. You must understand that
there is no covering or protection from
the rays OF the sun except over the plat
form for ladies and reserved seats, and
that these amusements take place
entirely on Sundays and always in the
afternoon. Therefore one-half of the
seats are shaded by the covering of the
platform on the side where the sun is
declining, while the sun shines bright
and hot on the other half. The entrance
fee is 50 for the shady side, 81 for the
sunny side. and So for the platform
seats. The people assemble, and il
their seats wait patiently for the pres.
ence of the governor general, who must
be present before the fight is allowed
to begin. While awaiting his arrival we
amused ourself looking at the sunny
side fellows, who we're sweltering
in the broiling sun with handker
chiefs in hand wiping away the fast
flowing perspiratioL, while we sat on
the shady side cool and comfortable
munching peanuts. Presently the
l,yYnlnN -
governor general, and Immediately one
gate is thrown open, when four men on
foot and two on horseback enter the
pit. The footmen are attired in cos
tunes, carrying in one hand red cloth.
The horsemen are attired in a similar
manner but with iron leggings and a
spear in the right hand. The horses,
which are generally poor and inferior
are blindfolded over one eye to prevent
them from seeing the bull when he
makes the attack. ALI being ready the
signal is given for the entrance of the
bull. A sliding door is then raised
from the top of his pen, which is
covered overhead, on seeing which he
rushes out with a terrible snort and
ferocious look for the pit. Heis decorated
with fashy rosette, and with stream
ers hanging down from his name. On
his entrance yell is raised, hsndker-
chiefs are waved, and excitement begins
to run high. The bull stops for
moment, his head erect, takes hurried
look at the excited crowd, bows his
horned head, and makes rush for one
of the horses, which is parried by q
we'll directed lunge from one of the
spears. He then makes for the other
and, Notwithstanding the spears, he
seldom fails to give the horse terrible |
blow in the side. This is kept up, and |
sometimes the horse, rider and bull are |
seen rolling in the dirt together. Often
the horse and rider are caught against |
the fence and lifted clear off the ground. |
In one of these unpleasant situations
the bulls horn was buried its
full length into the horse, and |
that animal killed almost instantly, |
while the rider was dragged over the |
fence by the crowd. After an interval |
the bugle sounds for horses to retire,
and the field is left to the men on foot. |
They harrass the bull with their ban
ners until be is fearfully wild. One |
man will then take an erect position, |
holding in each hand a barbed wire |
about eighteen inches long, covered all |
over with fancy cut paper. The bull |
attacks him, but before his horns can |
reach him he plunges the two barbs
Ento his neck on either side, leaving |
them dangling to the great discontinue |
and misery of the beast, which extends |
his tongue, shakes his head and bellows /
with pain. This is repeated until there |
are six or more wounds inflicted. The |
bull now being furious, the gladiator
draws his sword, which is an or
dinary one with narrow blade
and perfectly straight. With this he
proceeds to kill him. He holds a red
banner of cloth in his left hand, with
which he entices the bull to make the
attack, and as he approaches he steps
slightly to one side, at the same time
burying the sword to the hilt between
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