The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-08

greeted all they did not fancy, were for
a moment hrghed. ard the performers
made their entry by the eastern gate,
Just opposite the box OF the Alcade.
First came the bandeIilleros or chuios
as the people call them, the matadores
In front, and all on foot. Behind were the
three picadores, mounted, with their
spears in hand. They marched across,
and taking Off their hats to the Alcade
asked his leave. as Is the form. 10 fol-
low their disporting.
The Alcade. nothing 10th and having
himself come on purpose, took ms nat
off. too. and owned the soft Impeachment;
whereupon the troop dispersed, each 10
his appointed station The picadores were
dressed with iOw-crowned, broad-blim-
med hats such as were worn when Ar
cady was but a sheep-waik They had
very rich, short jackets, trimmed and
and embroidered heavily with gold or
silver. Under their buckskin pantaloons'
they wore, upon the outside OF the leg
from hin 10 ankle, stout plates of iron,
that were horn-proof.
Their spears were more defensive man
offensive. being merely long shafts, shod
al one end with iron, and finished with
q sort of spike or goad. The footrnan
wore their siken and embroidered jack
cts Ike the knights but they had silken
hose and breeches and wore light shoes
for active motion. on their heads they
had black silken caps or nets, beneath
which. from the very center OF the organ
Of philoprogeniuveness, sprang long,
twisted sort of queue. When they came
in. they had rich clOaks slung on their
shoulders. but these they threw aside
for others quite as gay though not so
costly. with which TO feed the fury OF
the bun. Clad in their glittering and
quaint raiment most of them hnely-made,
and all athletic. active men, they formed
a gallant and attractive circle, as they
put themselves in order for the fight.
The picadores arranged themselves upon
the left OF the Alcade. each distant about
three lengths from his neigLbor The
spear (garocha) was firmly grasped in
| the right hand: the horses blind-fold, and
! under the complete control Of the huge
spurs and terrible curb-bits that they
| were ridden with
The chulos spread themselves about the
ring-some sitting on the barrier, and
others just behind IL. with their bright
cloaks trailing over.
The Alcadc gives the signal; the trum-
pet sounds, and then a servant opens the
tori. Perhaps the bull Is standing with
his back 20 the spectators. If so. the
servant touches him with hat or stick.
and at the sound OF shouting he comes
forth. Perhaps his head is at the very
front, and then the mozo has just time
10 step into his niche behind the door.
pull Il back over him. and save his life.
The bull sees first the gay clOaks OF the
chulos, and rushes at them. Their own
ers leap the barrier and leave him the red
muslin. lie turns around and then, for
the first time, takes notice Of the plea
dores. If he remembers the sharp prick
ing OF the herdsmans goad. he pauses In
the center Of the ring 10 make his calcu-
lations Most generally maddened by
the shouting of the pOpulace and almost
blind with rage, he thunders at the horse
men. They brace themselves TO meet
him, with spear i'm rest and steadied by
the pressure Of the arm. The horse is
turned half round. with his right Shout
der to the bull, and the art is. TO press
the bull off TO the right while, with the
bridle-hand they bring the horse round TO
! the left, and save him and themselves.
And certainly it is a splendid show OF
courage, strength, land skill, when the
| brave horseman. who is first attacked.
turns the foe of successfully: the second
welcomes him with equal fortune and
the third has no worse luckl
But when. as often happens. the des-
! perate charge has been too much, even
for skill and nerve. and. spite of lance
and horsemanship. the bull has gored the
vitals Of the beast. and, lifting him madly.
with his rider. losses both against the
earth or barrier; or when, though we'll
turned of al first, instead OF going on
from picador TO picador the bull attacks
the rear OF the poor horse. as he retreats
drags out his bowels. filings the rider for
wards, and tramples in his fury upon
both, the scene is frightful to an unfa-
miliar eye. Then II Is. the chulos must
come forward TO the horseman's rescue.
and with their trailing oloaks. draw OF
the bun 10 where another picador is wait
ing TO receive him.
II may< be that the fallen pioador is
stunned. Perhaps his iron sheathing pre-
vents him from getting himself rid OF
horse and saddle. Assistants gather 10
his aid then, while others cheat the bun
away. Sometimes the picador falls to-
wards the barrier and catching al II as
he suimbles, lets his stirrups go. and with
his strong arm swings himself into the
corredor. while tho bull wreaks his fury
on the fallen horse. Sometimes. rushing
from plcador 10 picador. the bull pros
trates all three. and then the whole arena
Is alive with nuttering cloaks. the active
chulos toling the animal from side TO
side, up 10 the very barrier. which they
leap over. sometimes not more than hair
a foot before his horns. The greater the
slaughter OF horses and overthrow OF nd
ers, the louder is the shouting OF the peo-
ple and the wilder their applause
Let the picsdores fight shy for but a
single moment; let there be delay; the
slightest In the forthcoming Of new horses