The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1888-09-22

governor calls in second picador, who
receives the charge of the bull. Some
times a single bull kills dozen horses
before he tires. Occasionally he retires
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 torreadors
now take barb-shaped arrows, to which
long ribbons are attached. Standing
in the centre of the ring, one Of the
men attracts the bull, who 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 re-
suits in the man being gored
to death, but if successful he is
loudly applauded. After the strength of
the bull is still more exhausted by the
harrassing of the torreadors, the final
act of the tragedy begins. Mazzantini,
the pride of the ladies, appear. Salvos
of applause welcome him. He Is
second only to the King in the estima-
ton of Spaniards, and of the two he
doubtless receives the greater homage.
He is the pet of the populace. To OBJ
tain smile from him is an honor.
With proud and lofty mien he steps
upon the scene. Bowling condescend-
ing to all he prepares for his bloody
work. Draping his mantle over his
sword he advances and faunts it in the
face of the bull. The laws of the bull
ring require him to stand facing the
bull when he makes the final stroke,
and the stroke must be delivered in
certain spot. The bulls head must
be lowered as in charge. When in
this position there is an opening about
the size of silver dollar 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 pre-
cision to penetrate this orifice.
The bull makes several charges at
Mazzantini, who dexterously jumps
aside. but when he gets the brute in
the right position, his sword flashes
out of the mantle and sinks to 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
jugular vein is also reached. Mazzan-
TIM stands bowling to the bull, kissing
his hand to him and bidding him last
farewell. The excited audience yell
themselves hoarse. Flowers, cigars and
presents of all kinds are thrown to the
successful matador. In their wild en-
thusiasm 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 dis
appreciation. Kissing, bowling, cat
calls and even throwing of oranges is
INDUCED in. This latter act is as in
sulting to Spaniard as over-ripe eggs
are to an American actor. The rabble
are only kept from violence by the
presence of soldiery.
The performance lasts from three
o'clock until seven. About six bulls
are killed during the interval, and the
number of horses and men sacrificed
depends on their luck and agility. The
three great bull-fighters of Spain are
Mazzantini, Frascuelo and Lagurtigo.
Mazzantini was paid $4,000 to go to
Mexico last summer and appear at
thirty performances.-N Y. Mail and
Express.