The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-26
eropyright 1896. by Bachelor. Johnson and
Bacheller1
PART L.

Anu diuhuci VI ePP'S
air.
II was the first bull fight of the sea-
son. All Madrid was there. The scene
was dazzling in its wealth of light and
color. Canopied by the deep blue sky,
the Jewels of the grand ladies, the
bright kerchiefs of the poorer women
and the profusion of flowers worn by
high and low alike. glittered and glowed
ia the brilliant sunshine. The tumult OF
voices, the rattling Of fans, the con-
slant movement, as with cries and
gestures the spectators urged on the
performers in their daring feats, made
q bewildering uproar which battles de-
scription. Popular excitement grew as
the Corrida proceeded.
The first three bulls were dispatched
without any unusual incident, and a
fourth was about to be led into the
arena. The roar OF voices subsided into
q surging murmur, above which the
creaking and groaning of the great
door of the ganado as 1t pushed open
for the bull to enter was distinctly
audible. Then breathless silence fell
on the vast multitude, and a scufiiing
and tramping was heard, which drew
nearer and nearer till it became "A steady
thud of hoofs, and huge black bull
galloped into the arena.
The spectators greeted him with a
loud, inhuman yell; he tossed his head
proudly and paved up the ground as
he looked defiantly around, lashing his
glossy sides with his tail. A splendid
creature, standing there alone, sur,
rounded by his enemies. Then with q
naughty below he lowered his head
and charged the nearest picador.
In few minutes il became apparent
that this bull was what is called in Toro
slang resabido-i. e., a bull which
charges with his eyes open. Such bulls
make the bull fight a contest of life and
death for the toreros.
Again and again he cleared the arena.
the toreros saving themselves by es-
Gaping behind the eight-foot barrier
which surrounds the bull ring, the
wretched horses lying dead or dying on
the blood-stained sand within.
The plebeian portion of the audience
were wrought to state of frenzy; even
the fine ladies and gentlemen in the
boxes threw aside their affectation of
well-bred indifference, and, rising,
leaned forward, waving their handlxer.
chiefs and fans. 1t was felt that some
fatal accident must occur unless the
bull were soon killed. A foreign prince
sitting beside the king grew nervous
and In q whisper begged him to give
the signal for the animal to receive its
coup-de-grace. But King Alfonso hesi-
tated, His indecision was ended by the
appearance of q torero who had not yet
shown himself, and who now strolled
forward from one of the side entrances
and walked across the arena. A thrill
went through the whole assembly and
every eye was fixed on him. The eli.
max of the bull fight had arrived.
W.
Guapito, the first Espada of Spain,
was about to pit himself against the
best bull Of this, or many previous. sea.
sons.
The bull was in possession Of the
arena, and was flirging his huge bulk
against the barrier over which flying
Banderillero had just escaped. The
wooden paiisade cracked and rocked as
be renewed the attack again and again.
II not diverted the animal might over
throw it and get amongst the specta-
tors, an accident which has occasionally
happened with exceptionally ferocious
bulls.
Bright as butterfly, his close-fitting
costume of crimson satin laced with
gold. setting off his well-knit figure,
0uapito went quietly behind the bull
ind seized him by the tail. The in
1uriated beast turned briskly round
end stood for a minute eying his puny
assailant in surprise. The espada
placed his hand on his hip and waited.
Then tumult arose to which all the
previous hubbub had been as nothing;
the excitement which had been grow
ing and spreading from person to per-
son in that vast assembly since the
beginning of the corrida, now burst
forth and madness possessed them;
feeble old men, caught in the vortex,
bent themselves double and stretching
1heir fists toward the bull shrieked forth
curses; little children flung their arms
IN the air and screamed; ladies sent
their fans and bouquets, men their hats,
sl<imming into the arena, moved by an
lnsane impulse compelling them TO
some action, however absurd.
In the meantime. perfectly unmoved
by the uproar, Guapito was watching
the bull. and gradually the noise died
away and every eye was strained and
every muscle stiffened, as the audience
watched the trial of skill between man
and beast, which is the acme of bull
Aghting science.
AS the bull advanced Guapito re-
treated. now leaping lightly to this side,
now bounding 10 that, sometimes wait
ing till the animals horns were within
Z few inches of his side, when with
twist on his heel he would avoid them
~ . hairs breadth, and placing his
hsnd on the creatures back, os IL thun-
dered past, vault over IL only TO run
swiftly on and place himself again In
a