Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-31
BULL-FlGHTING.
now THE SPORT 10 CONDUCTED IN
MADRID.
4 Lively Description by weil-Ksown
French Editor-The Excite
mtn., &C.


entered. Twelve thousand spectators
squeezed together were uprosriously
merry amid q rustling Of fans like some
stupendous tapping OF wings Above
this multitude. whose impotence was
revealed by wild shouts, the sun sbone
brilliantly in an azure field,
It's nov 4:45, aud we still have few
minutes more OF expectation. Why not
hurry on the performance The fever
ssh impotence OF the crowd has already
taken possession of me, aud standing
on the seat wave my soD1brero toward
fhe box of the 0yupidmient0 and shout,
] scarcely kncv What My companion,
who was Spaniard and great lover Of
bnll.fghting, looked at me with smile.
and s. though he was somewhat disposed
20 banter me.
Al last signal is given from the NUM-
cipal box, and the traditional atsuaztts.
clothed IN dark velvet, wearing plumed
three cornered hats, majestic ~ Count
Olivares, and superbly seated on black
AndalusiAn steods, make their entry into
Che arena at hunting gallop.
They salute the President and disap-
pear hastily after having thrown the keya
OF the tori TO tie attendants lmmedl-
a.ely a number of capcadores clear the
barrier and rush into tho arena 1t IS
indeed charming sight TO see these
men, all Young and handsome and IN
splendid costumes, with apparently no
thought OF the danger which menaces
them, standing in an easy attitude and
taking quietly TO one another
There will not be much to interest
us in this fight" said my friend TO me.
al do not see single iOreTO OF any
note, and fear the animal is eDl60Ld-
ctO.
Such il the term used TO designate a
bull which has had tho tips of his horns
covered with wooden or leathern balls.
Against such an adversary even the
most inexperienced torcos can fgh. with
out running much risk. | will not de-
scribe this first event which finished
amidst general indifference Only oae
t0rcro had his rios broken. Nothing
worth mentioning The bull was scarcely
two wears Old and his life was spared.
"Now, said my friend, "look cut for
something"
pulled myself together, and, smiling
in my turn, watched the proceedings
eagerly.
The arena was deserted, but before
long the two 0iguasiiS again appeared.
And the procession began to move.
II halted IN front of the municipal box,
md toe President had scarcely answered
the salute OF the tOrerOs when loud
flourish Of trumpots announced that the
animal had been let loose.
At that moment confess felt keen
emotion my heart beat violently. snd
my memory coniurod up all those bloody
acenes OF the Plaza dc Joros which have
been described in the accounts of travels
in Spain and it WAS perhaps the dread
of being ridiculed 10y my friend which
prevented me from going and finishing
nv cigar in the cool shade OF the Retro.
But escape is now impossible. The
door of the torH having just been opened
the animal comes forth holding his head
high. his horns threateningly lowered,
and he breathes heavily. Then, as quick
as lightning he rushes at the nearest pic
ddor who, standing up in his large Ara
bian stirrups, couches his lance and
awaits him bravely.
The shock was terrific. and shout OF
admiration came from ell the tiers. At
the same onset the bull had ripped open
the horse aud unsaddled It's rider, and as
il the noise which greeted his triumph
still further increased his rage, he thrust
his powerful horns into the body OF the
animal, while the attendants carried of
the VicadOr in an insenslble condition.
This is going 10 be good fight
4 t...,,t ha lnpl n1 AZ L now
ingly. "Ah, splendid l" l replied,
Viplng the perspratlon from my lore
head.
When the bull had vented his fury on
the bleeding carcass, he quietly took up
a position in the middle of the arena,
and remained there perfectly still, with
out taking any notice Of the capeddOres
who leaped round him, each one striking
him in turn with his long cloak.
After this first exploit he seemed
pleased to present himself to the public,
"a if lie already had n presentiment that
his name would soon be associated with
those Of the SeyillanOs, Pantalones, and
Nedia-Lunas
lie WAS Of The average height and of
a brilliant black. At q glance one could
see that lie was strong and agile for bis
head, adorned with pointed and we'll
set horns, Was short and compact. his
enoulders powerful, his breast well-de-
veloped, and his limbs, spare and
siuewy. had at intervals = sudden move
ment which. although he did not stir
from his ground, caused the cdpe0dorsS
who we're nearest 10 him 10 be on their
guard.
This immobility was Of short dura-
ton. All at once he gave long bel
low. shook his massive head TO get rld
OF the veil with which a chHio had Gov
cred it, scraped the ground with Ina
foreioot and lowering his horns, rushed
81 the tortrOs who surrounded him.
Lightly, as Il they had wings. they
apraDg over the barrier, iancylng that
they would thus be sheltered from the
race OF their powerful antagonist. But
they had reckoned without taking into
consideration his remarkable agility.
Amos, at the same time rs they. be
Eprang over the obstacle, and then rolled
% tho feet OF the spectator, over the
body OF an unfortunate attendant, who
was instantly killed
Driven back at once into the arena,
the animal, whose rage was continually
increasing. dashed at tue horsemen,
who, clutching their lances firmly. ad-
Vnnced boldly 10 meet him on their
weak, lettering old horses.
by san Isidro, patron Of Madrid, what
terrible thrusts
In less time than l take to write it,
five horses had their bellies ripped open,
and lay on the ground. while the pea
dores. llmping, dragged themselves to-
ward the outer ring, being protected IN
their retreat by the cdpeadoreS, who
came forward just in time, and sue
ceeded in drawing the bulls anger upon
themselves
Out OF the seven horses engaged in
this combat. six were already dead, and
their meagre carcasses we're scarcely