St. Landry democrat., 1882-08-19
JOE BENTLEY AND THE BULL.

JOE BENTLEY AND THE BULL.
Joe Bently was an American boy who
had been brought up on a cattle farm 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, a great bull
fight. The widest bulls had been
brought from AndaIusia, a large num-
ber 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-hght seen in Portugal for many
years.
All this had 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-hght.
The bull-tights 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
matad0r, or bull-killer. 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 while, how
ever, man is killed. in spite of this
10 -
as the Object is to drive or drag the bull
from the inclosure.
Accordingly, having obtained per-
mission to 60 ashore on the dav of the
fight, he made his way at an early hour
to the bull-ring, and obtained one of
the best seats. He thought that all
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 APP
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 onslaughts 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 ali
over with little bells, undertook to
throw himself between the bull 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 overwrought 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 unpracticed lad, cried out: ''Come
backn' Several Americans shouted for
him to leave the the ring. But Joe had
made the venture, and he was not go
ing to be frightened from the ring. On
the farm at home he had conquered
many steer quite rs wild and power
full as even this maddened bull
He was conscious that thousands of
eyes were watching him with eager in
tcrest; but without hesitation he ad-
vanced toward the bull. coolIy placing
himself SO that with one hand he could
grasp the bulls holn. while with the
other he could seize his shaggy name.
The young man, meanwhile, had leaped
to his feet and retired to safe position,
leaving Joe to fight the bull alone.
Joe's mode of attack had never Eefore
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 for
the ca1npinos 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, a most OminOuS of de-