Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-01
THE RICHMOND DISPATCH SUNDAY. JULY / 1888

charge. In which case tho enor.
nous strergth OF the bull is such
that he lifts horse and rider into the
air and shakes them. This generally
liberates the horns and results IN a fur-
| Their goring OF the horse. The pirador
| is often thrown with the norse on
top OF him, and even when clear OF
the horse the weight Of his armor IS
SO great that he has to be assisted to es.
cape to the barrier. II no vital part OF
the horse is pierced az the first onslaught
he rises from the ground only to be
thrown again by the maddened bull.
When finally the bulls vengeance 10 ex-
hausted the horse rises. and with entfails
protrudiux rushes in blind agony about
the ring. He frequently dashes against
the barrier with Euch force % to throw
himself TO the groand, aud, If unable to
rise. one of the assistants ends his suffer-
ing by piercing his brain with a dagger
If1the hone is not seriously injured at
the first charge the openings made IN his
body by the horns OF the bull are
stopped with henp, and he is placed in
position for second charge. This por-
ton OF the performance is 80 horrible
that if performed in English-speaking
countries il would make men faint Yet
women and even children witness it in
Spain with every Indication OF pleasure.
The position OF the picadors during
the charges of the bull are most precari-
GUS. They have many narrow escapes.
and are sometimes lifted in the air and
alight on the back of the bull. One close
call occurred recently. A picador was
thrown to tho ground, but escaped by
lying perfectly still and feigning death.
while the bull shifted over him, and
finally walked away.
AFTER THE DEATH.
After the death of the first horse the
Governor calls in second plcador, who
receives tine charge OF The bull. Some
times a single bull kills half dozen
horses before he tires. Occasionally he
retiros from the attack with the long
spear stuck deep in his neck and waving
in the air as he walks.
Two of the most expert of the torrea-
doris now take barb shaped arrows, to
which long ribbons are attached Stand
ing in the center of tine ring, one OF the
men attracts the bull, rho charges on
him. As the animal lowers its head TO
toss him, he reaches over the horns, and
with lightning agility he pushes the
barbs into the flesh, one on each side OF
the neck. Jumps to one side and runs for
the barrier, with the bull in full pursuit.
This feat sometimes results in the man |
being gored to death, but if successful |
he is loudly applsuded. After the !
strength OF the bull is still more ex-
hausted by the harsssing Of the toTea-
doris, the final act OF the tragedy begins. |
Mazzantini, the pride of the ladies, APP |
pears. Salvos of applause welcome him.
He is second only to the King in the |
estimation OF Spaniards, and of the two |
he doubtless receives the greater homage. |
Tie is the pet Of the populace. To OBJ
tain smile from him is an honor. With |
a proud and lofty mien he steps upon
the scene. Bowing condescendingly to
all be prepares for his bloody work.
Draping his mantle over his sword he
advances and haunts it in the face OF the
bull The laws of the bullrilg require
him to stand facing the bul; when no
makes the final stroke, and the stroke
must be delivered in a certain spot. The
bulls head must be lowered az in a
charge. When in this position there is
an opening about the size of a silver dol
lar between the first bone OF the spinal
column and the base of the skull. This
spot is about six inches down in the thick
flesh and muscles OF the bulls neck, and
the blow must be delivered with unerring
precision to penetrate this orifice.
The bull makes several charges at MAJ
zantini, who dexterously jumps aside,
but when he gets the brute in the right
position his sword flashes cut of the
Matte and sinks 10 the hilt in the neck
of the bull. The animal drops to his
knees, trembles an instant, and then falls
prone to the ground the spinal column
is severed. and the rush OF blood from
the mouth shows that the iugnlar vein is
also reached. Mazzantini stands bowling
to the bull, kissing his hand to MIN and
bidding him a last farewell. The excited
audience yell themselves hoarse. Flow
ers, cigars, and presents of ali kinds are
thrown to the successful matador. la
their wild enthusiasm the audience throw
silk hats, coats, and even shoes to their
idol.
A failure to kill the bull according to
the code is received with great disappro-
baton. Kissing, bowling, cat-calis, and
even throwing of oranges is INDUCED in.
This latter act is as insulting to q Span
lard as over-ripe eggs are to an Ameri-
can actor. The rabble are only kept
from violence by the presence of sol
diery.
The performance lasts from 3 o'clock
until Z. About six bulls are killed du-
ring the interval, and the number of
horses and men sacrificed depends on
their luck and agility. The three great
bull-fghters of Spain are Mazzantini,
Frascpelo, and Lagurtiga. Mazzantini
was paid $4,000 to go to Mexico last
summer and appeal in thirty perform
ances.
oID AnNuLIp