The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29

States cavalry. the doors of the pit We're
| opened, and in marched a dozen or so
of matadors in the same sort of Jacket
! and breaches which they wear in the
pictures of Spanish life 80 familiar to
all. Each wore plumed hat. scarlet
sash, a poniard, and the gold lace upon
the black velvet showed their 1.-THE and
supple forms to advantage. They looked
rs Don Juan looks in the opera. while
the leader, bernardo CavinO, del de-
cauO de los torerOs," was 4 veritable
Figaro. in appearance at least. Each
carried a scarlet cloak upon his arm,
and in the other hand pike staff. Be
| hind them came a troop of eight horse
men upon gaily caparisOned steeds. with
| the usual amount of silver and leather
| trappingS in which the MeXicans de-
! light. The procession tailed up with
| team of four mules. hitched abreast,
dragging a whifIletree and long rope.
| These, we were told, were for the pur-
pose of dragging out the dead.
The cavalcade made a circuit of the
amphitheater like the grand entree at
circus. and upon reaching the Govern
or's box stopped. saluted him. and re-
ceived a short address in Spanish, which
probably was simply one Of approval
and congratulation at their fine appear
ance.
There was a rack in front of the Gov
ernor's box, upon which hung several
rows of darts, gayly decorated with
paper rOscttes and paper fringes of gold,
and other brilliant tints. Upon these
racks the matadors hung their plumed
hats, and stood awhile beside them to
give the ladies and gentlemen of the
audience an opportunity to see and adj
mire. The gay horSemen rode out and
were followed by the mules. but the
former soon returned upon an entirely
different style of animals; poor, broken
down. lean, lame and NANCY hacks.
which looked as if they had been turned
out of some Strcet-car stable aS Il bait
for vui;ureS. They We're covered with
sort Of leather armOr, and this concealed
their ficshle5S RIBS, but nothing could dis
guise the shambling and uncertain gait
with which they painfully amhlcd across
the arena under the savage squirting Of
their riders. They managed to get
across and that was all.
The first set of horses were intended
for show and the secoad for slau. chter.
Public opinion appears to demand that
something be SIDES Il bull be sacrificed,
aII the mataiors not being amia5le
enough to afford this qualification, a
pair Of animated clothes-rackS ARE
turned in to be gored. The poor beasts
are blindfolIel, which is about the only
humane feature of the show.
The Governors herald gave another
blast, at which the entire audience, who
were or the qui vive, arose and shouted.
A door across the pit opened, and a
large, clumsy. lOug-horned bull poked
his head out into the arena. The crowd
yelled, the matadors posed at different
parts of the ring-ten of them and the
two hOrsemen pretended to get ready
for the fray.
The bull looked up, the only fright
ened being in the entire multitude. The
posters described him as n valiant and
arrogant animal" He WAS line piece
of beef bat he ddn t want to hurt any
body. Somebody behind spurred him,
and he ran into the ring. The doors
were closed behind, and he had no
haven in sight. He plunged one way.
but was met by three matadors, who
tapped their clOaks in his eyes; he
turned in the other direction but was
met by three more; then he made q
bolt between them, and darling toward
the other side of the ring. gave a great
leap, rs if he would 90 over the eight-foot
wall. OF course he failed. but he
struck the plankS with tremendous
force, tumbling forty or fifty fellows
who were perched on the top into 4 heap
on the other side. 1t was the only
amusing feature of the whole show.
There was grand crash, a loud
howl, forty or fifty legs were in the air,
and the audience shouted with laughter
The bull turned around in Il frenzy, ran
to the other side of the ring, and
sought in vain for a place to get out.
Then one of the horSemen rode up in
front of the animal and jabjed spear
into his face. The bull plunged at his
aSSailant, believing with pain, and
lifted the poor hose upon his horns.
raised him from he ground. and threw
him with great force against the side Of
the arena.
The rider, expecting the attack. was
prepared for it. Il 10 leaped with great
agility from the 81 !lle just as the two
animals came in contact. There was
very little left OF tn horse. There was
not much of him when he was dragged
into the arena. but the long horl> of the
bull penetrated his bowels and tore
them out The bull jams the horse
against the planks, two. three. four
times and then withdraws The horse
lies a bleeding. diSembOwled mass. and
the crowd cheers the dreadful spectacle.
The bull having given up al idea of
escape turns upon everything he sees,
and the second horse is ridden up before
him. No attempt is made to get the
animal out of the way: he was brought
there to be slaughtered, and took his
turn. Both horses being disposed of.
and the bull being completely eX-
hauSted. the matadorS enter the strug-
Gle, and tease him with their scarlet
cloaGS. At frequent intervals around
the arena are placed heavy plaIkS, be-
hind which the matadorS would run for
protection when they were pursued.
The bull had no chance at all. He
was there simply 10 be teased, and
then killed by slow degrees. One
matadOr. more agile than the rest.
bats the animal with his lance. and, !
when the bull turns upon him. vaults !
over the down-turned horns by resting |
his lance upon the ground. Then they |
bring ont the ornamental darts aud !
thrust them into the bulls hide The !.
animal jumps and plunges with pain,
and tries to shake them OF. but the /
barbS cling to the hide. and the more |
he Str11nrlpS thp fllrtbnr thny ,,anntr. 10 I