Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-08-03

ciate the turn events had taken, and fol
a moment stood motionless. A strange
silence, almost ominous of defeat to oul
hero, settled upon the pavilion. 1t was
a thrilling scene-the brave sailor boy
apparently at the mercy of the furious
animal, and thousands of spectators
looking on with breathless interest.
Suddenly the bull recovered himself,
and, with an angry fiaunt of his head, re-
newed hostilies. Joe quickly found that
cllnglng to yard-arm in tempest was
less difficult than to the bulls slippery
horn; but he was determined to be cap
tain of this lively craft. Somehow he
felt that the honor of his country de-
pended upon his victory.
As a good seaman favOrs bis ship in a
hurricane, so Joe resoly ed 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 antago-
mist. Now the bull began to exhibit his
wrath. He writhed, and hooked. and
stamped. One instant the audience ex-
peeted to see poor Joe dangling from his
horns, and the next trampled helpless
beneath his feet. But Joe clung as he
would cling to lifeline in fearful
surf. Daring the intervals of the bulls
violence, as in the water on its ebb, he
struck gallantly upon his feet. Each
time he did so cries of "Bravol bravop
rent the air. The bull continued to put
forth still greater power. He plunged
and tore around the ring. Alternately
he jerked and swung Joe from his feet,
and fairly spun him through the air.
The pavilion. tossed, and reeled, and
whirled before Joe's giddy sight. Round
and round flew the bull as in a race for
life. Several times he completed cir
cult of the ring; a circle of dust rose
from his track and hung over it like
wreath Of smoke. ia
How Joe held oni He feared he could
not endure the shock and strain for
minute longer, and he dreaded to let 90.
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 a halt,and with disappoint-
ed anger began to paw the ground. Joe
had longed for this advantage, which,
strange to say, but seldom gives till
toward the close of the fight, and he
sprang directly in front Of him and
firmly grasped his horns. "BravOl bra
vop rent the air. Joe braced himself
and waited, and when the bull threw
his foot in the air with its little cloud
of dust, by quick. powerful movement.
Joe twisted his head to one side 30
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 and taken triumphantiy
from the ring. Joe was almost deafen-
ed by the applause. Hesuddenly found
himself hero in the estimation Of the
audience, and was overwhelmed 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.