The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-12
How loo Bently won . bouquet from
tno Ouecu Of Portugal.

Joe BentIy was an hIhci', 80. h.,
had been brought up on cattIe-'n.'n ' unt
who had left home Tor the H9,s az. Az ,n,'
life on board man-of-war. MS LII III w.
ogc tool him 10 Lisbon, where to his great
Joi,rht no learned that there was 10 be,
Jur;ng the following Easter week, great
hnii'dobt The widest bulls had been
hro,,n6t from Andalusia, and large number
~ horscs from the royal stables were 10 DE
In the ring. the Queen herself would pre-
side and distribute the favcrs, aid, III
short. II was to be the giundest bull-nght
seen in Portugal for many years.
All tbis had peculiar fascination Tor
Toe. 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 "a bull-fght. ,,s.
The bull-fghts OF Portugal are different
from those OF Spain in several important
particulars. At every such fight IN Spain,
where this cruel sport Is conducted in the
most barbarous manner, many horses are
killed. and sometimes men, too, fall vic
fins. and at the close Of the. fight the bull
il dispatched by the mdtddor, or bul[killer.
The law OF Portugal does not allow the
bnll TO be killed, and his horns are always
nadded, or tipped with brass, so that he
cannot gore the horses. Once in q while,
however man is killed, in spite Of this
precaution. The excitement is intense, as
the object is to drive or drag the bull from
the Enclosure.
Accordingly, having obtained permis-
sion to 20 ashore the day 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 i'm 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 opponents from the inclosure.
For an instant the bull was master Of the
ring.
The most perious feat OF the bull-ring
was now attempted. A young man, cover
ed 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 he overpoMercd and taken from the ring.
He courageously made the attempt, but UNI
happily missed his aim and fell directly in
front Of the enraged animal.
Atthis moment Of terrible suspense, more
over, 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
ewes glaring and his whole attitude one OF
furious anger. lie refused to be diverted
by the colors glanclng all around him,
and he seemed to he considering whether
he should trample on his victim or pierce
him with the naked horn. The young man
did not dare 10 move, for he was aware
that the bull possessed every advantage.
The excitement OF the audience was at its
highest point, and the overweight feel
ings Of our hero would allow him to re-
tain his seat no longer.
With the sprightIiness OF a slilor-boy he
leaped the paling. Everybody was aston
iShed at his temerity. An Englishman
present, fearing for the life OF the unprac-
ticed lad, cried out, "Come back !" Several
Americans shouted Tor him to leave the
ring. But Joe had made the venture, and
he was not going to be frightened from the
ring On the farm at home he had conquer
ed many a steer quite as wild and power
iul rs even this maddened bull.
lie was conscious that thousands OF eyes
were watching him with eager interest
but without hesitation he advanced to-
ward the bull, cOolly placing him.
self so that with one hand he
could grasp the bulls horn, while with
the other he could seize his shaggy name.
The young man, mean while, had leapcd to
his feet and retired to safe position,
leaving Joe to fight the bull alone. Joe's
mode OF attack had never been seen before
in Portugal, and it appeared the extreme
OF folly. n murnur OF remOnstrance was
heard in every part OF theaudience. Many
cried out for the campinOS TO rush i'm and
rescue the reckless youth. The bull did not
seem to appreciate the turn events had
taken and for moment stood motionIe,s.
\ strange silence, almost ominous OF de-
feat to our hero, settled upon the pavilion.
1t was 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 flaunt OF his head. renewed
hOstilities. Joe quickly found that cling
ing to yard-arm in tempest was less
difficult than to the bulls slippery horn. but
he was determined to be captain Of this live
~ craft. Somehow he felt that the honor
OF his country depended upon his victory.
As good seaman favOrs his ship in a
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 n life
line in fearful surf. During the intervals
OF the BULBS violence, "a in the water on
its ebb, he struck CALAMITY upon his feet.
Each time he did so cries Of Bravo
bravo !" rent the air. The bull continued
to put forth still greater power. lie
plunged and tore around the ring. Alter
nately he ierked and swung Joe from his
feet and fairly spun him through the air.
The pavilion tossed and reeed. and
whirled before Joe's giddy sight. Round
and round flew the bull as in a race for
life. Several times he completed the cir
cult OF the ring; circle OF dust rose from
his track and hung over it like a wreath OF
smoke
How Joe held on! He feared he could
not endure the shock and strain for min
ute longer, and he dreaded to let 90. He be-
gan to lament his rashness. But all at once
the BULBS speed slackened. Joe felt
thrill OF gratitude as his feet once more
touched the ground. lie was tired Of fIy-
ing, and was very glad to run. The bull.
convinced that he could not liberate his
horn from Joe's unyielding grip, came TO n
halt, and with disappointed anger began
TO paw the ground. Joe had lOnped for
TINS advantage, which, strange to saw.
bull seldom gives till towards the close Of !
hght, and he sprang directly in front Of