El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-10-13
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when one day bills were scattered over
the town in which | was living an
nouncing that on the following sun
day. a certain noted espada would
entertain the people OF the CITY rishi
ROYALTY: with one of AS famous DUH
fights. .l,
The hour having arrived | found
myself one of an eager, Jostllng
throng. The rich and the poor; f1ne
ladies. and serving girls; the soldier
and the civilian. all striving to enter
and secure good places from which to
view the fight.
Passing the portals the first thing
that attracted my attention was the
arena. which l found to be circular
enclosure about forty steps in dame
Ter tbefore the bull gets in; after
wards about fifteen). surrounded by a
wall eight feet high, with strong
gate in front. and another one at the
back. To the right of the one at the
back is a door; through which the
bulls are admitted when their pres
ence is desired. Placed at regular IN
teryals close to the wall. are SIX
shields made of strong lumber. be-
hind which the valiant fighters hide.
when his bovine majesty crowds his
attentions on them more than Is IN
keeping with their athletic tastes.
On the outside of the wall, the
ground is raised to half the height OF
the wall. and from there stone steps
five or six in number ascend TO the
gallery which extends clear around the
arena. The price for standing on the
sunny side for about two hours, Is
TWENTY-FIVE cents. For standing on
the shady side. fifty cents. To sit on
stone steps. on shady side and let
your feet hang over. seventy-five cents
To sit on a bench. seat and back at
right angles. and legs in front about
an inch the shortest. S1.23-
On the shady side in the coolest
place. are three fancy chairs. and
few others not so fancy; turned down
on the floor to signify that they are
reserved seats.
But the band has played two or
three such lively airs that all are
about asleep. when three beautiful
and elegantly dressed young ladies.
evidently belonging to the four-hun-
bred. walk in accompanied by as many
young men. prominent in society, and
business circles. The gentlemen turn
up the fancy chairs, seat the ladies
who are the judges of the fight and
take seats near
The manager then sounds a blast
on his bugle. which calls in hte heroic
lighters and Immediately they enter
arrayed in bright tinsel, with quick
breeches-which some times proved to
be not much too understanding
above the knee and a light weight
slipper. which at times seems to an
Swer the same purpose as wings, Tor
they have to fly around pretty lively.
The espada being the most import
ant parsonage amongst them. walks
up in front of the judges raises his cap
and makes a low bow to them, bows
to the Sl.25 crowd. then hobs his head
serenely to the seventy-five centers.
The bugle sounds again and the to-
padores. two in number, enter, armed
with stout poles about seven feet long,
with a steel spear point on one end.
They are mounted on broken down
ponies. which are blindfiolded. and
have d side of sole leather swung to
them so as to protect the breast and
right side. They ride up in front OF
the judges. bow and retire to the 9TH
er side of the arena
Another blast is sounded; the moZo
opens the door into the stable, where
the bulls are resting and chewing bit.
One of them starts out and as he
comes through the door. Mr.. MoZo.
with more of display of energy than
is common with that class of people.
plants in the back of his neck a bar
bed shaft. about six inches long, car
rying the national colors-
The bull seeming to realize that he
needs immediate attention, goes to
the nearest footman for help, but that
individual having business in other
parts Just then, leaves the bull no al
tentative but to go to each one OF the
others in turn. AS all seem to have
the same end in view. viz: looking out
for a job the bull lunges at one of the
horses: but the sturdy rider catches
him in the back of the neck with his
spear. and holds him off at arms
length. when he leaves in disgust.
The other topador now challenges
him by shaking his spear at him. His
blood being up he goes at him with
a fearful lunge. The topador misses
his neck. and the bull catching the
horse below the shield. throws him
into the air. The horse falling on his
rider. the bull goes him repeatedly.
the rider only escaping by lying still.
In an instant 500 people spring to
their feet and cheer after cheer min
giles with the cries of the rider for
help and the groans of the dying horse
for everybody in Mexico goes wild
over anything that looks like bravery;
even if il does border on the reckless.
While the bull is gracefully bowling
his acknowledgements on the other side
of the arena. another blast sounds.
The mozo runs and helps get the rider
loose strips the horse of saddle and
bride. then runs and throws the back
door open and two gallant horsemen
enter at lively run. Each OF them
with the help of the moZo drops his
gasso over the cabaIlo's hind feet and
at dead run they drag the still living
body away. followed by the other
horse and the two riders.
The footmen, five in number. are
now alone and after fiounting their
red cloaks in his majesty's face few
times. and lodging from his wicked
lunges. just in time to save the repu-
tation of their quick breaches one of