Connecticut western news., 1886-10-06
SHAVING THE BULL.
How a Brutal "Sport" is Conducted in Peru.
Torturing the Animal to Death for the
 Amusement of the Spectators.

Inc feruVlan tOrrero (Ouil slayer) and his 'spicadores" Qiteraly,
 "prickers'D arc all spaniards by birth,
 and more bloodthirsty, villainous crew are 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 onal bull fighter. The bulls, which it mu t in justice be admitted, says writer in the Brooklyn Nagasine, are fine, well. fed, withholding creatures, are admit ted singiy into the area at a signal given by blowing trumpet, and as the ani- mal is led forward, the fun begins. A mounted "picadore" approaching en
 deavors to fix in the neck of the beast small steel dart, one end or which is sharply pointed and washed with birthstone, a strip oi colored ribbon Ebeing 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 infuriates the ami nal and he rushes blindly forward, straight ahead, as if making for the peo. ole sitting on the lower tiers of seats, which occasionally encircle the amphi- theatre. But before many paces are made 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 another small
 dart, as sharp and 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 fool with his feet, and turning his head right and. left at each object presented to him. The game grows fast and furious
 the music plays some stirring gallop; the "picadores" cross and recross the arena, as if possessing charmed lives
 planting their darts in all parts of the infuriated animal; the spectators clal their hands in excitement, some of tht ladies even tearing off their black man tillas to wave them in the air, until, upor a given signal, the music ceases; the voice of the audience sinks into silence the 'picadores" retire behlnd woodel screens placed for their protection at tn ends of the arena; and the bull, decke6 in gay ribbons of many colors, is lief alone on the battlefield, triumphant But his triumph is imaginary; for th
 cessation of the attack signifies nothing more than 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 thai that of his companions. He i armed with short dagger shaped sword, which is generally carried in his right hand, hidden under smal shawl, brilliant red in color, thrown owe his left arm. A cheer bursts from tn audience, and the ''matador" advance boldly to face the bull. The agility an' quickness shown by these ''matadors" il
 evading the charges of the bull, who's strength is only partly spent by previou exertion, are marvellous to behold. Tn importance of the red shawl is 500
 shown in the way in which it is extende' at arms length to attract the buP {! attention. But in one of the fna charges the noble beast receives hi deathstroke At the first good oppo1 tunity the disappointed sword is thrus with unerring aim through the nape c his neck, reaching the very centre of hi heart, and with gasp, amid the cheer of the audience, the band meanwhil playing the national anthem, the creatur falls on his knees, and, rolling over, ez