Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-05-01
A BULL. FIGHT IN MEXICO.
The Honorod Champion of tho RIng-A
Barbaric Spectacle.
Robert Laird Collier in Boston Herald


Robert Laird Collier In Boston Herald
The first persona to enter the ring
were two clowns, attired in tho gro
tesque tights worn by such profession.
ais in the oircls. Their mock antics of
tumbling into and out of danger were
most amusing, and were far more clever
than those we are used to seeing in our
best tent shows. Following the clowns
were four riders in the saddle. Two of
these carried long spears, with which to
tease and fret the bulls, and the other
two carried lassos, to DO used in case of
need to load horse from the ring,
should he be disabled by accident or by
encounter with tho beasts. Last of all
came in four men of most imposing
physique and of distinguished bearing.
The captain was a man not only of pow
erful physique and gentlemanly bear
ing, but he had face of singular
refinement. These fighters were quite
bedecked with tinsel and spangles.
Capt PonciaDo Diaz had won many
prizes, and ranks at the head of all liv.
ing bull fighters. His breast was Gov
cred with badges gained in Spain as
well as in Mexico. Indeed, Sig. Diaz S
makeup was altoe ether gorgeous. But
the glory of his apparel was quite be-
dimmed by the glory of his heroic pres
ence and d0meanor. He was at once
the center of all eyes and interest. He
it was who was to expose himself to the
actual danger, and who was to bear off
the laurels of victory. All others in the
ring were there only to add to his splen
dor; they were TO madden and enrage
the bull, only to afford opportunity fol
Diaz to display his dexterity, strength
and agility, At every encounter tn,
captain was to risk his life in attempting
the life of the infurated bull.
And now all was in readiness. The
music became furious. The excitement
seemed to rise with the changing of thu
cymbals and the clarion sounds of the
bugles. With proud bearing a groom
leads in bull, and, with bound,
haughtily retires, after loosing the ami
NAL. Each assistant carries ''capa
gracefully upon his left arm, which is {
| brilliant cloth, measuring, perhaps, two
yards square, which is used to throw al
| the bull, and in his eyes in case of I
dangerous encounter. There are within
the ring four screens boardec
up to q height Of about eigh,
feet, and behind which the mer
shelter themselves when SUDDEN,
set upon by the beast. Fighters teas,
and infuriate the bull in every conceiv
able way, and with q recklessness and
daring that really causes the spectator
to hold their breath in amazement an
| expectancy of the men being goaded tc
death by the maddened beast, to in
crease the fury and rage of which
spears are decorated with brilliant paper
! towers and with hooked points, called
"banderillos," and thrust into him, ant
these drag into the flesh till the blooc
pourS out in streams and he rushes t.
and fro in widest agony and revenge
| lis tormentors are equal to even CREATE
| cruelties.
The captain all the while is watching
| his opportunity. He sports with
sword and is constantly leaping in the
very eyes of the bull with blazing rec
capa, and when the danger reaches it,
climax he dashes at the bull, and witt
mar elous dexterity thrusts his dagge.
INTO the back of his head and througl
INTO his heart In one encounter tn,
captain bent his sword, and in another
| lost his footing. In this last case, as h.
fell, the crowd screamed and the excite
ment was inhumanly wild and uncon
rolled as the bull leaped forward. TIL
Instant death of the nan seemed inevi
table. But no. In the twinkling o
an eye he, threw his capa il
5he face of the bull and arose un
harmed, and amid the deafening ac
claim and plaudits of the vast multitude
The agility of Sig Ponciano Diaz was
almost superhuman-in appearance
was superhuman. His lightning swift
ness was a perpetual miracle to me
Again an attack is made and the length
Of the sword enters the unfortunate
oeast, and he staggers and struggle
till he falls in pool of his own blood
And now the multitude yell, shout anc
wave hats and handkerchiefs. The
music keeps pace with the progress, anc
keeps step with the character of events
Now it is wild with 10y, and is barbari,
in its peals OF triumph.