The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-11-16
Staying THE. BULL.
How q Brutal "Sport' is
Conducted in Peru.
Torturing the Animal to Death for the
Amusement of the Spectators.

Va ShC Sp0Se1tOlo'
The Peruvian "torrero" Dull slayerG
and his "p~icadores" literally,
'prickers') are all spaniards by birth,
and a more bloodthirsty, villainous crew.
are seldom seen assembled. Each man
is bedecked in the faded velvet jacket.
knec-breeches and white socks, which
form part of the attire of the profession
bull fighter. The bulls, which it mu +
in justice be admitted, says a writer in
the Brooklyn Magazine, are fine, we'll
fed, Withholding creatures, are admit
ted singly into the area at a signal given
by blowing a trumpet, and as the ami
mai Is led forward, the fun begins. A
mounted "picadorc" approaching en-.
deavors to fix in the neck Of the beast 8
small steel dart, one end or which il.
sharply pointed and washed
with birthstone, strip Oh
colored ribbon ;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 approach 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
birthstone combined infuriatcs the ami
NAL and he rushcs blindly forward.
straight ahead, as if making for the peo-
pie sitting on the lower tiers of seats,
which occasionally e~ncircle the amphi-
theatre. But before many PAGES are
made a red flag is waved before his eyes
by one of the foot "picadores," which
causes him to turn and face his new as.
sailant. Pierced with mother small
dart, as sharp and burning as the first,
the bull roars and becomes mad With
rage, and with eyes flashing fire he tcart
round the arena, paving the sandy fool
with his feet, and turning his head right
and left at each object presented to him.
The game grows fast and furiouss
the music plays some stirring.
gallop; the '~'picadores" cross and recross-
the arena, as if possessing charmed lives,
PAo tASA ooA AL IA poIlS W GuC
Infatuated animal; the spectators clap
their hands in excitement, some of the
ladies even tearing off their black man.
tillas to wave them in the air, until, upon
a given signal, the music ceases; the
voice of the audience 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 ribbons 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 a reprieve of his sentence.
The clear notes of the trumpet sound.
again, heralding in the "matador," who
is the hero of the day. His dress i.
somewhat richer in quality than.
that of his companions. He is.
armed with a short dagger
shaped sword, which is generally 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 'smatadors" in
evading the charges of the bull, whose
strength is only partly spent by previous
exertion, arc marvellous't to behold. The
Importance 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 noble beast receives his
doathstroke. At the first good oppor-
tunity the sharp-pointed sword is thrust
with unerring aim through the nape Of.
his neck, reaching the very centre of his
heart, and with a gasp, amid the cheers.
of the audience, the band meanwhile
playing the national anthem, the creature
falls on his knees, and, rolling over, ex-
pires.