Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-08-13
NO. 33.

! all the time lie stopped now and then,
looked back at the tormentng things, and
struck at them with his head in a vain effort
TO get rid Of them.
The darts were all planted at length, four
at either side, and the bull stood painting, his
tongue lolling out of his mouth aud dropping
blood.
1t was a cruel sight yet the cruelty was
| frank. Worse and more cruel deeds are done
every day by men and women who would de-
nounce the bulLfght, safe in that their cruelty
is hidden. Women there are and many, who
| between their fine sentiments and pious talk
their kisses and caresses, plant barbs more
singing and in tenderer places and there
are men claiming respect who use their power
with far more dastardy intent on creatures
weaker than themselves. Fair will be the
day when there shall be on earth nothing
more cruel than a strong, free beast set mp to
fight for his life, though hopelessly, with ten
thousand men and women to know how and
why he dies Better far the being wounded
to death in the arena, open to the day before
mems eyes, than the long singing OF poison
Gus hate that murders slowly in the dark
Yet it was pity to see.
The Espada entered, saluting and saluted.
lie was of medium size, had a handsome
pale-olive face and an air of quiet dignity
His dress was Of pale blue aud silver, aud the
black slippers and long white hose displayed
an elegant foot and leg. lie held drawn
sword in his right hand. and in his left a
square of scarlet cloth stretched over rod
The bull had placed himself at the barrier
and facing the entrance across the arena. He
knew now from what quarter to expect his
enemies. He watched this gallant new confer
as he walked quietly towards him he saw
the chulos bound lightly over the barrier with
their qill - oil
draw nearer in wide, irregular line, seeming
not to look at him
And still he did not stir His pride and
confidence in his own strength were broken
1t was no longer the green pastures OF Utrera
with its gardens and its olives round about
where single charge of his could put his in
truders to flight. Alb, no they were not
olive branches, all those stirring things on the
wide circling benches, and at last he had
found men who dared to face him But he
stood as firm as a rock, with his head lifted
in spite of pain and WEAKNESS.
The Espada tried his temper with the scar
let cloth advanced and the sword pointed
over 1t, provoking one short charge after an
other, which was deviated and drawn away by
the swift chulos and ended in nothing.
Presently the bull refused to be so drawn
aside, and replied to the nantes that 6uttered
before his face from right and left only by an
head. All his attention was concentrated up
on the figure with the scarlet cloth and drawn
sword. He sought it among the battling man
ties, rushed and rushed again, but paused
when it disappeared. Then, as he waited, the
chulos retired little, half hidden beside him.
and the Espada was left alone in the open
space, cautiously advancing, with the red
cloth lowered and the sword above it. The
bull stood motionless as if passively awaiting
fnau fNol,t A.aN - -. A.
held at only arms length from his face, and
the sword was slowly raised for the swift, ia
tai stroke, galvanic life caught his great
frame, and he rushed forward and lost him
self in cloud of colors waved hither and
thither, while the Espada slipped aside, al
most grazel by the blood stained horns. and
the barbs shaking at either side the bleeding
neck.
There was something awful in the fact that
this tormented being could not speak, aud
something imposing in it, too. What hero
ever sustained a half hours ceaseless combat,
attack, defence, and at last death, without
ever uttering soundY In all that struggle
OF constantly bsfil I'd effort which had no re-
suit saved increased exhaustion and despair,
the silence of the creature seemed to call
aloud for voice TO utter the i'm precatons
burning in his eyes. The humane heart
scarcely could resist its impulse to rush in
and fill that void with its indignant pity
The charges grew shorter; the bull learned
to charge with slight sideway swerve,
meant to anticipate his foes mode of escape.
and learned to make feint and a double
charge, making almost circle. Perhaps he
hoped that the lifted sword might not mean
death, it had so many times been lifted He
watched the tiptoe feet approaching and he
calculated his defence. With equal odds be
would have learned defence and attack as
quickly as the matador. But they were five
to one, and they could blind him. But for
this binding, the chances would have been
for him, even one to five as he was.
At last he charged no more, but made only
slight forward start When the sword hung
glittering before his eyes. The chulos retired
little. The Espada, advancing, watched
keenly the creatures dulling eyes for the
spark which should precede a movement, and
skipped aside when it rose. slight move
ment would have sufficed to pick him up on
one OF those horns as you pick up an oyster
on fork. Each time he came nearer, and
made longer pause and at last there was
light bound and flash, and the. vast crowd
burst into uproarous shouting as the sword,
passing over the bulls forehead, was buried
to its hlt in his neck. 1t was good stroke
The creature stood one instant motionless,
then dropped like a stone
The band began to play, and hats were
tossed into the arena by their enthusiastic
wearers, and restored to them with courteous
gravity by the Espada. This was an honor,
to see closely, face to face, the man who had
given that fine stroke, and have momentary
personal association with him, though only
through the medium of POSSIBLY greasy
hat.
The Espada retired the trio, two beautiful
mules harnessed together and decked with
flags, came in swiftly, and, by means of chain
and hook, dragged out the four dead horses
and the bull, whose fate had been assured by
the plunging of dagger in his brain as he
lay motionless upon his side. Fresh sand was
strewn on the blood-stained arena, four new
picsdores entered and took their places at the
barrier, and-da capo.
There were six bulls for that afternoon