Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-07-24

the bull was tanned, and he allowed the
boy TO do what he pleased with him.
Ever afterwards Alfonso and Bella re-
mained great friends. The bull was
given TO the boy and the two grew up
together. While ferco and savage 10
every ono else, Bella was Az meek and
playful as kitten TO little Alfonso.
There was no wonder then, that the
boy hated to part with his pet, but IL
was a question OF choice with him be-
I tween his pet and his grandfather Ile
loved Bella, but he loved his grandfa-
ther more
The village doctor came 10 the hut
that night and prescribed for tho sick
: man. Three days later Alfonso led the
bull away to the village and took an af-
fectionate farewell of his pet
"We'll meet again, Bella" he said,
with tears in his eyes; "whon grandfa-
ther gets we'll wen work and save
money enough to buy you back"
} But fate was against the little Span
ish boy. His grandfather, even under
the careful nursing of the doctor, did
not grow any better lie gradually
failed and one day he breathed his last.
Little Alfonso was then left alone in
the world. His grandfather and his pct
bull we're both gone.
After the funeral the boy sought work
in the village, but, not getting any, he
wandered on to the city OF Cord0va. He
entered that place with no money and
with butlittle courage left But his por-
severance soon helped him out OF his
difficulty.
He fell In with kind strangers OBJ
tanned work and became respectable
citizen once more. He was a quick and
active boy, and he pleased his master so
that he was gradually advanced. The
boy saved up his surplus wages until he
had enough, he thought, to buy back
his pet bull.
One day he obtained leave of alb
sence and returned TO his native village.
He sought out the doctor and inquired
after Bella
''Ohl the bull / took from you in pay
ment for my services?' said the doctor.
"Well, | don't know where he is. !
kept him some time so that you might
redeem him. But / got hard up for
money and | sold the old brute. He
became very ugly and fierce after you
left There is no telling whore he is
now'
Alfonso heard this with heavy heart
and he returned to Cordova disap-
pointed boy. He took up his work with
as light heart as possible, but there
was heavy lump somewhere that OPP
pressed him. He wanted to see Bella
once more. He was the only thing that
reminded him of his early life in the
forest of Cordoya.
1t was a holiday in the CITY, and flags i
faunted from every shop window and
public building. Tho citizens were
gayly attired in their best suits, and
music resounded from every square.
| Cordova was to have bull-hght--the
national sport of Spain Every body
enjoyed bull-fight. and it was only on
festive occasions that they could wit
ness such fun. The big arena where
the fight was to take place had been
cleaned and declxed with bunting and
flags until 1t looked like scene in
play.
Some of the largest and finest OF
Spain's fighting bulls had been obtained
for the occasion. Every thing that
could make the fight success had been
promised the citizens.
Alfonso had never witnessed bull
fight, but he was so carried away with
the enthusiasm of others around him
that he eagerly looked forward TO the
anticipated sport. Early in the day he
obtained a seat among the poorer classes
OF spectators. From his lowly seat he
watched the fair women and richly
dressed men file into the great boxes
near the main pavilion, and he longing
ly wished that he was OF their number.
The trumpet note Of warming soon
after sounded and silence foil upon the
vast audience. The matadores and plea
dores filed into the arena, and graceful |
ly saluted the audience. Then they
rode around tho vast circle, and signi- |
fed their readiness TO begin the fight.
Tho first victim OF the day was then |
let into the arena. 1t was large, |
fierce-looking bull, with shaggy head |
and determined look in his eyes. Bot |
in spite Of his strength and fierceness |
he was soon dispatched, after he had
wounded one man and horse
Another one was brought out, and |
skillfully killed. Three others fol- |
lowed, and fought nobly for their lives,
amid the deafening applause of the null |
tiutude. Every one was enjoying the
sport
The great treat of the day was 10 come
next A bull of exceptional size,
strength and ferceness was then |
brought into the arena. The animal
had received a name for bravery and
quickness that had preceded his arrival
in Cordova-
All the men in the arena arranged
their blankets with greater care than
usual; fixed themselves more firmly in
their saddles and seized the handles OF
their swords or darts with flrmer
grasp. Every one felt that 1t would be
long and fierce battle.
The huge, shaggy-headed bull rushed
directly for the middle OF the circle, and
then paved the ground savagcly with
one hind hoof A picadore approached
the animal in front and tried TO attract
his attention. Another one approached
from behind.
Quick as flash the animal wheeled
around. and before the picadore could re-
treat the animal unseated him and
gored him TO death in the sand. The
others rushed to the rescue, but the bull
tossed them right and left and escaped
from the general crowd.
lie stood at one side Of the arena def
antly watching the men. The bull
fighters annroached him more cautious
ly this time, and the assault was begun
slowly. But in the second round the
big bull came out victorious, and again
shook his head savagely at the specta-
tors. He was a fierce, ugly-looling
brute as he stood there, with the blood
dripping from his horns, and none OF the
matadores or picadores we're especially
anxious to get within the animals reach.
They approached him in a body, each
ready to help the other
At this Juncture, however, disturb
ance on one side Of the arena attracted
the attention Of the audience. The bull
was standing with his back to Alfonso;
but the bov did not heed this Ho did |