The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-04-05

circllnS ABOUT the enemy III the most
reckless fashion, and wheeling to es-
cape his mad rushes with surprising
deXterity.
Meantime, while the excitement grew
apace, Senior Ortez had made his way
to an inclosure adjoining the bull pen,
where a number of stablemen helpers
and hangers-on were congregated. He
was speaking to a man who kept his
eyes fixed on the ground and nervously
rolled a cigarette as he listened
You carnot fail" Ortez was saying
ASK him to drink for old acquaintance
sake, and he will not refuse-and if you
do not carry out my instructions to the
letter remember it is Ramon Ortez with
whom you have to deal"
Isl, senor," replied the man, humbly
Ortez turned away, and the man
made his way to the ringside.
At this moment there was an inter
mission in the sport, one bull having
been driven from the ring and another
not yet having entered.
Ricardo had left the Enclosure and
was standing in the midst of a group of
his old friends chatting gaily.
''Senor Ricardo, word with you" IT
that spoke.
''Ah, Juan, is that YOU" said Ricardo
It am right to glad to see you, COM
padre, and how has the world been US
ing you old friend? Do you remember
how we used to snare the hooking
birds and cardinals? No more times
like those, Juan, are there?"
"Ah, Ricardo. you are the same as of
old. But step aside one moment;
must speak to you"
AS soon as they had reached a spot
of comparative seclusion the man
turned to Ricardo and began speaking
with passionate eagerness:
Ricardo, am placed in terrible po-
sition," he said. AN enemy of yours
and one whom I dare not disobey, has
hidden me do a most dastardly act
God knows l am guilty of many wicked
deeds, but I have not come to this-I
will not play the traitor to a friend
What think you, Ricardo; l have in my
pocket flask; it contains choice mes
cal, but it also contains a drug. the
poison which we give the horses when
we do not wish them to win the race
1t paralyzes the brain so that they lose
l.
drink I am hidden to giveto you so that
your feet may be heavy in the combat;
SO that you may fall and the bull shall
gore you. Mother of God. Ricardo. |
couldn't dc this! Yet what shall I say
to him who has sent me, for the man
holds my life in his hands,
Ricardo's face grew stern, for none
knew better than he what would be-
fall the toreador who should enter the
ring With unsteady limbs and a clouded
brain. For himself he was safe. now
that he had been warned, but it rested
with him to see that this man by his
side who had been so true a friend
should not suffer for his faithfulness.
Il have it," he exclaimed suddenly
Go to this man, my enemy; tell him
that | drank from the poisoned
flask; then when l enter the ring / will
play borracho, the drunkard. When
your master shall see me reel and act
the clown he will believe ii is the poi
son in my veins, but through it all I
shall take care to keep away from the
bulls horns. And, say, friend Juan. |
Will remember what you have done for
me. Later we will talk more of this
they call for me now
The other men were already in the
ring, and Ricardo had no sooner taken
his place than the wicket was thrown
open. With a great roar and enyelopei
in cloud of dust a mighty toro sprang
into the inclosure Never pausing 70
look about him, he lowered his shaggy
head, and with long bounds leaped
across the ring toward the fighters.
i'm ra1x r
safety, though Ricardo. not forgetting
his part, flung his arms about and
made fcint at stumbling Fooled in
ms hrst attack, the beast wheeled
about, and as he stood there an in
stant black and gaunt, paving up the
dust and gravel, the foam dropping
from his mouth, while his low. vibrat-
ing below shook the air, a shout went
up, for everybody saw that in the ami
mai now before them the fighters would
lind "a foe that would be worthy of their
utmost Skill
The instant the bull caught sight of
the picadores he plunged toward them.
Ringing his head into the air and GAL
looping like a horse. The men struck
spurs to their steeds and the ponies
snorting and quivering with fear.
sprang from the pathway of their fierce
assallant; but the bull was scarcely less
agile than the horses and before they
mad time to recover from the first at
tack he was hard on their heels. Mean
While the foot fighters We're f1ounting
their bright capas full in the Infatuated
animaIs face in a desperate ATTEMPT to
draw his attention.
The people We're wild with excite
ment, for this was what they had come
to see, and a number of the men in
the frenzy OF the moment cast their
richly braided hats into the ring
1t proved impossible to divert the
bulls attention from his prey and at
length one of the horses was in a posi-
ton from which he could not be ex-
tricated. The bull was upon him and
the Keen horn, despite the raw-hide
armor that opposed them, were sunk
deep into the animals flank. An in
slant the victim struggled wildly, then
his disemboweled body sank to the
earth.
with such an opponent to contend
against 1t was hard for Ricardo to keep
up continuously the role he had as
sumed. Time after time he slipped
away from the terrible horns with an
agility hardly to be expected in one
not in complete possession of his facul-
ties, yet he was such a master of his
business, his movements were made
with such apparent carelessness. that
few could realize the exact Judgment
and perfect control necessary to exc
cute them. AS may be supposed Ri
cardo cast many glance In the inter-
walls of the combat toward Car
lota, and ever the thought kept recur-