The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-02
BULL FIGHTING IN HAVANA.
The Famous Matador Mazzantini Seen in
the Arena by an American.

The Famous Matador Mazzantini Seen in
the Arena by an American.
(From the Hartford Courant.)
If a noted actor or prima donna visits
Havana this probabilities are that a cold
reception is in store, but let noted
rnatador arrive and the whole city turns
out to pay him homage. At the present
time the great matador Mazzantini is
Eolding Havana spellbound. When he
arrived at the Hotel Inglaterra crowd
larger than the renowned ex.pugilist
John L. ever attracted surrounded the
building and filled the square. They
peered through the window bars to see 1t
he ate like ordinary human beings. He
did eat and drink just like other mo-tals,
only more. Posters confronted you
whichever way you turned, informing
the public that on Sunday, Feb. Is, the
renowned Mazzantini would kill six wild
and vicious bulls. Tickets were on sale
at the hotels, cafes and many other
places There is certain force in the at
mosphere here that incites one to want to
see bull fight. A Spaniard likes to see
blood run, provided it is not his. Ameri-
cans are usually cured with one dose.
The price OF admission varies. A seat in
the sun can be had for $3.50; one in the
shade costs So; reserved seat is "a.
The "Plaza de Toros, where the fight
takes place, is at Reiga. across the bay
| from the city, and reached by ferry.
| The building is a circular affair, open at
thu top, and seats are arranged In tiers
similar to circus. The arena is per-
hans 100 feet or more in diameter. A high
hosnd fence separates then iciosure from
! nassageway in front Of the spectators
seats. A band Of music entertatns you
while youswait. =
Four SQUADS of soldiers. about 100 in
Ian. are posted in different sections to pre-
serve order. Sonora and senor1ta are
there with their lorgnettes and fans,
SOME having lunches and bottle of wine
| for q bracer. The seating capacity OF the
place is perhaps five or six thousand. At
! 4 o,clocIS the seats are full and she usual
uneaeiness when crowd is waiting for
| a performance to begin, IS apparent. IN
stead of whistling to attraos attention
every o1.e misses, making SOUND very
much like q rabtiesnaEe. Th1s SOUNDS
4
custo1ned tosit very soon.
Az half past one Of the human partic-
| ipants comes out and addresses tune
tionary. I believe the President of the
Eassociation, who manages the AFFAIR. He
replies In substance: Inc houf mas ar
rived, and the pubic, VINO are 3osS nut
szacting, expect 1uA Satisfaction ior sheir
lmoney."
The man in Anticipated UNIFORM retires
and AT once the procession enters the
arsns. First comes the great Mazzantini,
| q powerful, athletic specimen OF physical
manhood, fully six feet tall and we'll pro-
nortjoned, He is followed by two plea
| four banderilias, believe they are called,
on foot. These ore all uniformed in gilt
and spangles, very much as they have
haen for centuries back. A half dozen
atte ndants, whose duty it Is to drag out
the dead and dying animals, follow IN
the rear. After zach has taken bis posi-
zion the double doors adjoining the en-
trance from which the procession started
are opened.
In second there appears out OF the
lsarkness a magnificent specimen OF a
hnll. His head is erect, his horns are
long and pointed. He looks mountain
| of strength and courage, which he 49,
| One glance at the strange scene before
| him and he Is off for the nearest man to
his left. The footman sees him coming
and he spreads his bright.colored cloth to
the right. The brute charges at it, and
| ia surprised to find nothing substantial
in it. The man lodges and the bull
wheels around to charge again. He is
confronted by a picadore, who thrusts
| his lance into the animals shoulder.
This enrages him. He is attracted by
other bright cloths waved at him: He
charges first at one, then another. He is
undecided which way to turn. Another
horseman approaches with lance directed
at his head, but this time the picadore
fails to stop the bull, and horse and rider
90 down. The man falls on the side OPP
5Sosite the bull; he is protected, but the
poor horse receives the bulls terrible
borns full Length, in his abdomen.
The crowd now cheer. They see the
Mood followed by the entrails of the
moor horse Blood is flowing in streams
rom the bull. But that Is not enough.
The men on foot improve every opportu-
nitv to stick o banderilla or stick with
sharn hooks into the bulls back. There
sre now half q dozen of them hanging
from his quivering flesh. Apparently his
| Strength is not oozing out with his blood,
for he is more animated than ever.
A mother horse is gored, this time white
one. making The crimson current start
,;r,c,lv prominent The first horse dis
a aiid is again on his feet and the plea,
dore on his back, lance in hand. AS the
horse oaIloped by, with entrails protrud
! nor md swaying in the wind. the heart
s III at the sight, and one involun-
sars1v closed his eyes. This horse was
eeftarward taken out, his intestines re-
nlaced. the skin sewed mp, and he was
again placed in the arena.
! In about twenty minutes from the time
the bull entered the arena the great MAJ,
1antini indicated that it was time to kill
1,;m Looking the bull in the eye and
rnalkipe directly up to him, he stabbed
him with long sword just back of the
hnrns and he was dead without culver.
The boys with mules dragged the body
ont and the next bull was let in. Six
buIiia were thus despatched Five horses
we're killed, and the crowd applauded.
When YOU can not sleep for coughing
take Chamberlain's Cough Remedy. 1t