The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-10-24
A SPANISH BULL FIGHT.
An Unwilling ComSatant Goaded to Fight
by MeEcilesS Tormentors.

Az unwilling ComSatant Goaded to Fight
by Me-ci,sss Tormentors.
Since the middle of the preceding
night the bull has been shut up in his
dark toril, deprived of water and food,
as well as of light and freedom. His
huge restless body has chafcd against
the oaken walls of his pen as he turned
in every direction. seeking for what
had been 50 unaceountably taken away
from him; and he has driven his horns
into the tough wood. splitting thick
planks in repeated, mighty, but fruit
less, efforts to escape.
Suddenly there is a burst of light. the
battered door swings open: 1t seems
that at the end of a narrow passage a
smooth plain of yellow sand lies gleam-
ing in the sunshine. He aashes out along
the passage and then stands ss:ll in
furious, british amazement. the Gen.
tral figure IN multitude of beings SO
entirely unlike himself That is al he
sees where he had hoped to find water
for his parched throat. He is disap-
pointed and disgusted. The Only four
footed animals in sight are those
wretched horses. Now, the bull never
| thoroughly appreciates and likes the
horse. but he will not attack him un-
provoked. much less win he vcluntari-
~ attack 3 horse with the strange
figure of Il picador on his back.
Then the chulos draw near him as
he stands, waving their cloaks TO
tempt his charge; but he sees in them
only four small two-iegged animals
who offer him nothing to eat or drink
So he just runs away from them to the
barrier and leaps over it. There is a
second barrier protecting spectators
IN the front rows OF seats, and be-
tween these two barriers he is driven
along until door in the first can be
swung back, barring the way ard
obliging him to re-enter the ring I'm
mediately the chulos are at him again;
and ne appears to have made up his
mind by this time to accept the inev-
liable, for he now deigns to notice
them, charging their brightly-colored
cloaks as though such sport could al
leviate the pangs of hunger and thirst.
The bull already showing some signs
of fatigue, has now to face the most
provoking of all his antagonists. The
banderilleros stand in front of him,
holding dart in either hand, inviting
him to come and make short work of
them as he had done with the horses
But when he charges, expecting easy
victims, he finds the two darts planted
in his neck, while the intended victims
skip mint bly, aside. Certainly a clever
feat; and it is repeated until, at an
other signal from the president, the
prima espada, or matador, comes for
ward. Fifteen minutes of life in the
ring are allotted to each bull, and now
but five minutes remain. Of course the
huge, heavy creature is by this time
tired, baffled and slow in his move
ments; otherwise the matador's duty
would be too difficult. Even as it is. he
runs some risk. For example, this very
bull-killer in green satin was so gored
two years ago that he had the dis
tinctiOn of lying at the point of death,
with all Seville solicitous about his
fate. A clumsy matador he seems to
be, Turing and teasing the bull very
much as the chulos had done. but with
his red flag instead Of cloak. Then,
watching his opportunity, he plunges
his sword into the bulls back The
stroke is i'll directed: the sword has TO
be drawn out, and the attempt made
once more. The second effort also
fails, and a third becomes necessary
Then at last, after several minutes of
laundering, he does succeed in reach
ing a vital point. The bull staggers.
blood gushes from his mouth and
nostrils, he goes down on his knees,
aud then rolls over on his side. The
rascally servant deals him final blow
behind the ears; then the grey mules
with red tsappings are driven in TO
haul out the carcasses; the band
continues its selections from a merry
opera; the audience applauds, and the
green satin professional bows most
gracefully. One bull has been killed.
Before six o'clock FIVE others follow
him to the shades-whcrever brute
martyrs go. Only ten horses IA small
numberl die this afternoon. The bulls
are rather tame. The audience also
does not indulge in any wild enthu
siasm. this being only an average dav.
Still. some hats and gifts of sma II value
are thrown into the arena at the Tata-
doris feet. / do not find IL true. as is
commonly asserted, that Spanish
women hold fans before their faces To
shut out the most revolving features of
the spectacle. They are present in
great numbers, and among them are
many fine ladies in wonderful white
lace mantillas:. and all. without excep-
ton, appear to enjoy the show. The
most eager spectators in MT neighbor
hood are some pretty children.-Lip-
piucott's Marianne