The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-14
TRAINING OF THE BULLS
SOMETHING ABOUT THE ANIMALS
USED IN SPANS FAMOUS SPORT.
They Are Handsome and Look Gentle,
but Are Really Fierce Creatures
The MatadOr Very Popular.

Violet Greville, in London Mail.
The bull fight season in Seville, which Is
at it's height during the warm weather, is
slowly drawing to a close, and hence, as
usual, even here and there in Spain, the
moralist is abroad.
While the cruelty and savagery of the
sport have been frequently dwelt on, the
display of real courage, nerve, and skill
has, perhaps, not been sufficiently appre-
ciated by strangers. 1 am told that many of
the most difficult passes heartily applauded
by Spaniards seem tame to the novice's eye,
while other manoeuvres really far more
easy appear difficult at first sight. There
is a great deal to be done before the bull
is fit for the ring. First of all the breed
Of bulls is carefully selected and cultivated,
so that a bull from celebrated breed
fetches from $50 to go.
The best herds are those of the Marquis
of Santillo and Seniors Muira and Marnoi;
but though the majority of the herds come
from the favored region of Andalusia, some
very fine ones are bred in Castillo, near
Valladolid, and in Galicia. At one year old
the bull is separated from the rest of the
herd and branded with it's insignia; then 1T
is turned loose to Craze on the wide plains
and sniff the aromatic air of the pasturage
at its own sweet will, in company with Its
brothers of the same age. When they are
two years old comes the period of trials or
'tentoderos," a most exciting time. The
bulls have to prove their mettle on the
f1owery vegas or plains. The rancho be-
comes alive with revelry, friends muster,
lookers-on gather, and the sportsmen take
the saddle in the early dawn. Skilled herds
men, armed with lances some four yards in
length keep the impetuous bulls together
no easy task-and prevent them from join
ing their friends in the distance. Then one
bull is allowed to escape across the plain,
followed by two horsemen mounted on swift
horses and armed with the lance or gar
Quick as thought they pursue him, plant
a blunt-edged lance on his flank and turn
the bull over, performance requiring prac-
tice nerve and deXterity, a firm seat,
quick eye and a strong arm Strange to
say, both the Countess of Paris and the
Duchess of Alva are adopts at this sport.
bulls off flank, near the TAIL and strong
thrust, given when riding at full speed,
overthrows the bull. Obviously with its ele-
ment of real danger this is more difficult
feat than fitting at the ring, tent pegging
and polo. Immediately the bull rises he
charges WhefAthe second hOrseman, armed
with a pointed lance, gives him a prick on
the shoulder Those bulls, who freely charge
twice are considered fit for the ring; some
bulls will even charge a third time, but
rarely The remainder of the bulls having
shown no spirit or savagery, are condemned
either to death or to agricultural labor The
selected bulls are then named and entered
in a stud book, like our own prize cattle In
- ' DANGEROUS TESTS.
These trials are not without danger, even
to the lookers-on. Bulls will charge and
turn and twist, and some accidents gener-
ally occur among the attendants on foot as
well as the horsemen, who delight in show
ing off their fine riding and their courage.
Of OId ho inc Of he
Catholic, were the bull fights conducted
from the days of the Moorish invasion. The
scene was the open plaza or square, the
performers all belted knights and gentle
men of good family, mounted on splendid
horses and carrying only short, sharp
lance Their prowess has been celebrated
in song and story. Queen Isabella l en-
deavored to prohibit these contests. for her
gentle heart revolted at the sight of human
bioodshed; yet her orders proved unavailing,
the sport being too thoroughly rooted in
the national affections. She wrote on one
occasion to her father confessor letter,
in which she said II do not absolutely
forbid the bull fights, for it is task which
it is not possible for me alone to accom-
piish,''
Her grandson, Charles I. killed a bull with
his own hand at a tourney in Valladolld;
held to celebrate the birth of Philip H. and
the exploits of gentlemen in the bull ring,
their prOwesS, grace and dexterlty were
the pride of the Spanish nobility. Natur-
ally, when, after risking his life repeatedly
the knight killed the bull in mastery style
the enthusiasm of the audience grew fran
tic and unlimited, especially as, by the
horsed must face the raging animal on
foot alone sword in hand. This last final
act still forms part of the display OF the
matador at the present day.
With the advent of the Bourbons cnange
came over the bull ring. 1t ceased TO be
fashionable for the mobiles to compete, and
the sport was abandoned TO paid profess
sionals who make large fortunes, and reap
public applause and admiration. The fine,
spirited horses were replaced by poor mis-
cradle screws only fit for the knacker. and
the horsemen were encased IN aTmor- one
of the famous matadors, named Pope Hillo,
drew up the rules and etiquette FOR the
"corrida, or bull fight. as they exist az
the present day, and sealed his splendid
wounded in the arena in 1902. The people
have not ceased to cherish their passion
for the national pastime and bull tights
are as popular now as at any period or their
existence.
EXPENSIVE AFFAIRS.
a fine bull fight is an expensive affair,
ana scosts about a1,10O to 9l.2O0; while the
largest bull rings those at Madrid. Seville.
Saragoza. etc, are as spacious as the old
Roman amphitheaters. The two-year-old
bulls. after their trials. are left to Craze
i'm peace in charge of herdsmen till they are
four years old, when they are removed to
the inclosures--large fields surrounded by
palisades-~where they remain till, strong,
fierce and full OF muscle, they enter the
bull ring. Oxen are introduced into the
herd during the night. and received without
disfayOr by the fiery bulls. These are de-
coys, trained TO accompany them into the
town where the bull fight Is TO take place.
Iinger on the roads, and small barricades
are erected near the entrances to the
streets: nevertheless even with all these
precautions bull has occasionally es~