The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-07-28

| smile with angry cynicism at the impudence Of
| the man. For moment he stood still. The
| red flag was waved inviting him to do battle
| He did not send his regrets. With below he
made rush that shook the bull-rng.
Macelrano's body swayed to one side, but his
| feet did not leave the little circle in the dust
The red flag flashed over the angry horns and
| tho bull passed on. For moment the crowd
| forgot themselves and shouted bravo bravo.
| bravo,"
In an instant the hull turned and made another
rush. Again there was the same graceful sway
| of Macelrano's body, and again tiiesharp horns
| passed barmlessly by him. Again and again,
| and yet again. the infnriated brute rushed to
| the attack. He came like the swishng whirl-
| wind, but, iike the swsying reed, the graceful
matador bent from him.
| The crowd was now cheering the bull-fghter
| to the echo The band was PLAYING a lively
| tune. Hats and handkerchiefs we're waving.
Maceirano was himself again. lie was pack
in old Madrid. the pct of the women, the idol
| of the men. Tho plaudits OF the people made
sweet music in h is ear.
The bull pauSes for moment and gathers
himself for another charge. The mans eyes
| flash fire as he tightens his grip upon his
sword and looks along its blade to see that it is
straight. Everyone knows that III an instant
tho matador will attempt the death-thrust.
OF the bull and the breathing of the excited
Gringoes on the upper seats.
The rush is made! The sword flashes and
the thrust is given.
shout of horror goes up from 30 Gringoes
Macelraao has missed ! The sToTd struck the
steel point of a blnderilla aud the force of his
! thrust threw him right upon the bulls eager
| horns. In second he was tossed, spinning
like in-wheei, seven eight feet in the air.
He came down in 4 breatnless heap on the
bloody ground. A howl OF pleasure, mingled
with regret, went up from the excited, tickle
crowd.
But the bull loses 10 time. He has charged
the helpless b)dy. Oae of his sharp horns
seems to pass through the unlucl<y matador'5
breast The wild beast drops to his knees and,
roaring like lion all the time, is pushing the
limp body before him, at intervals lifting it off
the ground with powerful shake of his head.
The Other buil-fghters and mozos rush to
the assistance of their fallen CHIEF Three or
four grasp the victorious animal Dy the tail,
twist it, and pull With all their might An
other beats and prois him with picadofs
pole. Still another is jabJing him full OF ban
derillas, while the ress are dancing and siiout-
ing around his head, waving their capas in
front of his eyes
For minute or two all these little alton
tions have no effect whatever on the bail
His business is strictly with the matador and
not with his underlings. Many and varied are
the shouts of advice from tho crowd, and at
last the bull is forced to turn on its tornentors
There is a wild scattering, but one toreador,
Drawer than the rest. shaking his capa valiantly
induces the bull to chase him across the ring
And while the bull Is spending his time
tearing that capa into shreds and keeping one
eye on the toreador, captive behind bulknead,
the other fighters rush out to bring III the body
of the fallen matador. They have no time to
md fn Y ID
They pick him up like bundle of rags. His
arms and legs hang limp. But, strange to say,
his right hand tightly clasps his sword.
Merely the death grip!0 some one re-
marks behind me-
The bearers are about 10 pass the body over
the fence, when with sudden start Macelrano
is alive again. He breaks away from those
who are holding him and staggers to his feet.
Playing his flashing sword about him. he drives
every one back. His eyes are wild. his face
defiant. His embroidered costume is almost
torn Off. and he is covered with blood and dust.
He is mad as the bull now. Like drunken
man he staggers out into the ring.
With one voice the whole crowd shouts,
=" Mo- No. Stop him Stop him !"
His maniacal bravery had won them again,
and they did not like to see him commit sui
eide, for he has lost his capa-his main defonse.
But he turns upon the sympathiZing crowd.
Now 1t i5 his turn to hiss aud the curses come
hot and kissing through his teeth. He shakes
his clinched hand at them and then his sword.
All the anger stirred by their insults and his
overthrow comes bursting from his tongue. 1t
is a torrent of profanity and of filth. o, he
cursed grandly, that bedragg.ed niatadorl
The people are silent. They take the sting
of his bitter taants without reply. At last he
seems disgusted and turns to Bobler game. Far
on the other side of the ring the bull has not
seemed to notice the crazy matador.
Macelrauo starts for him with wild run.
The bull sees him coming, and in turn rushe5
forward believing to meet him.
Ah, how quiet it is now. Not even q fau
futters. Men choke with their own breath
Two maddened, magnificent animals are about
to meet. The shock will be terrible Poor
Macelrano! For all his insane bravery he will
be tossed and torn again. The Gringoes hide
their faces.
Running at top speed, Macelrano raised his
sword to the level of his eye. On comes the |
bull with the rush of storm. They meet in |
the center Of the ring.
sword is buried to the hilt 1t has gone straight
to the mark through the narrow space between |
the shoulder blades. Almost without culver |
the great black beast drops in his tracks-stone |
dead. |
Macelrano. n hero shrieks one more curse at |
the wildly clamOrous crowd. attempts to plant |
a victors foot upon the bulls head, totters, and |
falls across the horns of his vanquished foe
The Wasp.