Huntsville gazette., 1886-10-30
PERUVIAN BULL-FIGHTS.
HOW These Barbarous and Disgasting N.
versions Are Conducted.

Now TAo0e BarbArous and Disgasting N.
versions Are Conducted.
The Peruvian ''torrero" (bull-slayer)
and his ''picadores" Qiterally, prick
ers') are all Spaniards by birth, and
more bloodthirsty, villainous crew ars
seldom seen assembled. Each man is
bedecked in the faded velvet jacket
knee-breeches and white socks which
form part Of the attire of the profess
sional bull-fghter. The bulls, which
it must in justice be admitted are fine,
well-fed, wild-looking creatures, are
admitted singly into the arena at sig
nal given by blowing a trumpet, and
as the animal is led forward the sport
begins. A mounted ''picadore" ap-
preaching endavors to fix in the neck
OF the beast small steel dart, one end
OF which is sharply pointed and washed
with birthstone, a strip of colored rib
bon being attached to the other. The
usual proceedings are as follows: If
the bull turns and charges, the rider
causes his horse to Whirl round and ap-
proach the quarry on his other side,
when frequently the dart becomes fixed
in the spot aimed at. The sharp pain
resulting from the prick and the brim-
stone combined infuriates the animal,
and he rushes blindly forward, straight
ahead, as if making for" the people
on the lower tiers of seats, which oc-
casionally encircle the amphitheater.
But before many PAGES are made red
flag is waved before his eyes by one of
the foot ''picadores, which causes him
to turn and face his new assailant.
Pierced with another small dart, as
sharp and as burning as the first, the
bull roars and becomes mad with rage,
and with eyes flashing fire he tears
round the arena, paving the sandy
floor with his feet, and turning his
head right and left at each object pre-
sented to him. The game grows fast
and furious; the music plays some
stirring galop; the ''picadores' cross
and recross the arena, as if possessing
charmed lives, planting their darts in
all parts of the infuriated animal; the
spectators clap their hands in excite
ment, some of the ladies even tearing
off their black mantillas to wave them
in the air, until upon given signal
the music ceases, the voice of the audi
ence sinks into silence, the ''picadores"
retire behind wooden screens placed
for their protection at the ends of the
arena, and the bull, decked in gay rib
bons of many colors, is left alone on
the battlefield, triumphant But his
triumph is imaginary, for the cessation
of the attack signifies nothing more
than reprieve of his sentence Tho
clear notes of the trumpet sound again,
heralding in the ''matador," who is
the hero of the day. His dress is some-
what richer in quality than that of his
companions. He is armed with short
dagger-shaped sword, which is gener-
ally carried in his right hand, hidden
under a small shawl, brilliant red in
color, thrown over his left arm A
cheer bursts from the audience, and the
''matador" advances boldly to face the
bull. The agility and quickness shown
by these ''matadors' in evading the
charges of the bull, whose strength is
only partly spent by previous exertion.
are marvellous to behold. The import
ance of the red shawl is soon shown in
the way in which it is extended at arms
length to attract the bulls attention.
But in one of the final charges the no.
BILE beast receives his death-stroke. At
the first good opportunity the sharp
pointed sword is thrust with unerring
aim through the nape of his neck,
reaching the very center of his heart,
and with gasp, amid the cheers Of
the audience, the band meanwhile
playing the national anthem, the
creature falls on his knees, and, roll.
ing over, expires.
There can be no doubt that bull
fights are barbarous and disgusting
diversions. But ''prize-fghting" at
cited to mark each others faces out of
recognition for love of gold, and at the
instigation of so-called "sportsmen.
may, as far as regards cruelty, be
ranked on level with bull-fghting.
The comparison does not, however,
lessen the barbarity or excuse the con-
tinuance of the latter diversion in the
minds of all right people.
Both are relics of the past, and the
legacies of ancestors who looked COM
placently upon the shedding of human
blood for the qualification of their pas
sions, or of revenge, or simply to pro-
vide them with the means of excite
ment in days when healthy pastimes
and recreations were but little known.
It must be allowed, on behalf of the
Peruvians, that they are accustomed to
these diversions from early childhood,
and they regard them with perfect in
difference-custom, no doubt, binding
them to the cruelties they witness in
che bull-ring.-Brooktyn Magazine.