The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-05-25
BESTS TWO LIONS
BRUTAL SPECTACLE IN MEXICO CITY
RECENTLY.
The "Entertainment"G Gotten Up by an
American, and Many Americans,
women and Men, Among the Spec
tatOrs-The Lions Were No Match
for the Infatuated Bull.

MEXICO CITY, May 23-All of Mexico's
beauty gathered at the lndianilla plaza,
near this city, this afternoon, and wit
messed one Of the most cruel and bloody
spectacles ever seen in Mexico. For many
weeks this city has been literally aflame
with posters and pictures announcing tho
hrst fight In Mexico City between an Afri-
can lion and a Mexican bull. The fight
was given with the permission Of the au-
thorities. and the promoters hold a coE
cess1On for three more to be given at in
tervals during the next two months.
By o'clock the crowd began to gather
The streets in front of the plaza were fillet
with the carriages Of the spectators going
to the fight. The crowd included nearly the
entire American colony, besides many tour
lists who are now visiting the republic. II
must be confessed that while there were
some Mexican ladies present, there were
many more Of their American sisters.
Today is Easter Sunday, and the whole
crowd is decked in the gayest of attires.
The love of brilliant colors is a Well-known
characteristic of Mexican women. and their
attire today Is no exception to the rule.
Looking upward at the great tiers of seats
filled with excited people the sight is a
beautiful one. The decorations of American
and Mexican flags. the bright cOlors of the
dresses, and the gay sombreros with their
trimmings Of gilt add to the general effect.
Many of the ladies brought their children
eddy American, had her two children Sit
ting beside her. When the fight was at it's
height, and the bull. covered with blood.
was tossing the lion, one OF the children, a
little girl with laughing eyes and brown
curls, turned away and commenced crying.
The mother caught the child by the arm
and exclaimed: You little goose. why
don't you watch the lion bite the bull!''
And on ali sides the indugent mammas
held up the little cherubs that they might
see the bull battle his horns in the lions
blood!
The Indianilla plaza is Il great Enclosure,
about a mile from the neart Of the city.
The seats were arranged in tiers and were
capable Of accommodating 10000 persons.
Far down in the center was the arena. ele-
waited about ten feet above the floor. 1t
was built of iron bars four inches apart
and solidly constructed with diameter OF
forty feet. A canvas concealed the arena
from the sight Of the crowd and it was
known that the bull was already there. A
Gordon Of gendarmes surrounded the cage
and kept the curious from approaching.
Far down on the side of the ring a band
commences to play and the crowd shout
their approval. The noise gradually dies
away. but does so only to commence again
louder than ever. and for few seconds alb
solute pandemonium reigns. Gov. Rebollar
of the Federal district, accompanied by his
staff Of officers, is entering the box Of
hOnOr ana as ne is a great favOrtte the
audience greets him with cheers.
1t is time to begin to fight but as yet
there seems to be no preparation. The crowd
begins to grow impatient, yell after yell goes
forth and continual stamping shakes the
great stand. The master of ceremonies in
obedience to the wishes of the governor
enters his box. gong is rung. 1t Is the
signal for the arrival of the lion. There Is
a shout Of approval as the canvas hiding the
cage falls away and the bull is seen stand
ing in the center. A fine animal is this
which is soon to be ptted against the
king Of beasts. Jet black, with shining eyes
he stands there paving the ground, fearing
neither man nor beast. He is of the Santn
breed, famed for its ferocity and endurance.
Only the more sklful bull fighters, Of the
Mazzantini stamp, dare to met him in
the ring He has had long training in
preparation for this occasion. Since his
birth he has been allowed to roam the
woods on one Of the great haciendas unfet-
tered and kept from the sight Of man. He
does not know what 1t is to fear, and,
therefore, standing there, admirably posed,
he makes a picture never to be forgotten.
A second gong rings and the lion, closed
in a dark cage, is wheeled to the side of the
arena. A dozen poems are busiiy engaged in
adjusting the doors of the two ages, and
soon everything is in preparation A hush
falls over the entire crowd, waiting for the
attack that they know will come soon.
At the third ringing of the gong the doors
separating the two cages were thrown
apart. Straight as an arrow, and with Won
derful quickness. the lion threw himself on
the neck Of the bull, who, with lowered
horns, was awaiting the charge. AS the lion
reached him he caught him with one Of his
horns under the foreleg, and lifting him
high in the air dashed him against the bars
Of the cage. which, though strong, were bent
outward, SO tremendous was the impact.
Here the fight may be said to have been
begun and finished. For, injured by the
terrible thrust, and thoroughly cowed and
frightened, the king Of beasts has had
enough Of the encounter. Placing itself in an
abject posture with its forepaws resting
against the crossbars, the sight was a pitt
full one. There he sat painting, and every now
and then looked abjectly toward the bull,
which stood paving the ground, waiting far
another attack. The Mexicans present
arose and shouted their APPROVAL, for natur-
ally there was great enthusiasm among the
public at the victory Of their noble repre-
sentative over the yaunted monarch of the
African deserts.
However pleased the Mexicans were at