Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-31

But the bull, As II ne Wlsned 70 AMI
cipste this insult, made rush at his OPP
ponent, who. by rapid movement TO
one side. Just escaped him. One Cf the
horns had grazed his chest
1t was in vain that the cdpeddorcs,
when they saw that the bull was still in
full strength and that the contest was far
from equal, tried TO divert his attention
and further fatigue him. No longer did
he deign TO notice them, but made q
second furious rush upon the spadd.
Again the latter escaped him, and at the
third charge, while the bull was rushing
at full speed toward him, he stood direct
~ in front OF the monster, his body erect
and his sword pointed toward the animal,
but slightly inclined.
Then, I'confess, thought OF the I'M
fortunate III Polio when tossed 'sloft,
and mechanically l closed my eyes.
As l opened them again to learn the
cause of the shouts and continued APP
plSuse, saw the torero still in the same
spot, saluting the people with his nluleta,
while the bull was plunging about the
arena believing with pain and writhing
to rid himself of the sword which had
been thrust up to the hilt between his
shoulders
"Ah, that will kill him ! /" they cried,
and already the crafty cacheterO could
be seen peering over tho barrier, as be
awaited the moment the bull should sink
on his knees for the last time, when he
would creep forward to give the coup de
grace by plunging his lance-headed
dagger between the first and second YER
tebrm.
But to the surprise Of all, the bull sue
ceeded in Kidding himself of the sword.
which, by q sudden movement OF his
shoulders, was jerked to some distance,
and with greater fury than ever he
rushed again at tho spGdG, who was I'M
suspectingly engaged in collecting the
cigars thrown TO him.
He had scarcely time to bestride the
barrier and gain the outer ring, while
the crowd signified their disapproval OF
his fight by volley of Kisses.
Exaspersted by this unforeseen attack,
and irritated at finding his triumph so
suddenly changed to a defeat, he soon re-
appeared pallid with anger and holding
fresh sword in his hand.
Theophile Gautier is quite right when
he says that a good bul-fght IS better
than oil the plays of Shakespeare.
clspped my hands SO vigorously that
1 split my gloves. .
"Ah, all !" said my friend, "has it
come to that ? Why, you are a perfect
ofcionddo.
I wished to protest strongly against
this idea, and was trying to find tho
most appropriate epithets TO stigmatize
the brutal customs of the Spanish peo-
pie, when he maze sign TO me TO be
quiet, and to see what was going on.
Night was rapidly approaching-it was
one OF those superb nights when the
darkness has an azure transparency.
The dark blue sky served as grand
vaulted roof to the circus, and the stars
gradually shoDe forth like some gigantic
al 6'cscO illumination.
In the blood stained arena the forms
of the combatants became more and
more indistinct. They were but sha-
dows which moved hither and thither
rapidly, for the contest was raging
anew.
Just then one OF the spectators Int a
candle, and soon Thousands OF lights
glmmered amongst the sombre and ex-
cited crowd, and besides these a vast
number of the broad paper-fans held by
white nervous hands were soon blazing
TO increase the glare. The circus then
resembled vast furnace full of pale
faces to which the tragical events OF the
fight gave AK awful, weird, and tortured
aspect.
In none of Goya's representations OF
tauromachy have l ever seen so terribly
sinister e scene depicted.
The night birds quilted their holes in
the walls aud burned their wings in
striving to fiutter through these innu-
mersble lights.
Once more the Sp0dd succeeded in
wounding the bull, but again the brute
freed himself from the weapon and re-
commenced tho pursuit of his implaca-
bic executioner.
"Bravo T0ro Bravo Valenciano"
they all cried
So the animal was spared. His
achievements had touched the hearts of
these good, impressionable Spaniards.
They gave him a new lease OF life and
again let him into the tOy'ii.
He made his way thither under the es-
cort OF the cabestr0s, shaking his bleed
ing head, which he raised with great
difficulty, and believing dolefully.
The arena was now opened and the
crowd rushed in. shouting and singing.
Some struggled to fill their handker-
chiefs or their pockets with the sand col
ored by the blood of Gel Polio"