Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-05-02

railing notes a shout of universal ap-
oiause greeted the fair dancer. SLOW
y the mandoiins sounded the measures
u the dance. and with tranquil. al
most hesitating steps. the young giri
Interpreted she rhythm and time with
lsr tiny feet. Gradually the chords
iuieksned and became liyeller. and the
'io~'moying Gree merged into a IA
liant Terpslehafe, Her eyes. hitherto
Sent timidly upon the fooF. we're now
proudly raised and swept the crowd
with half eoluettish. half inaairins
dances. They seemed 10 say: Are
here none brave enough 10 risk beinE
ny partner
One OF the young fellows thus inter
pr-,ing the look. and perhaps eager TO
show his courage. quickly advanced To
he estrada. and. uneoVsrins. present
ri his gay sombTero with its sarniturr
u silver and lace for the acceptance OF
he beNiiehinE dancer, Receiving u
3ith a smile. without pausins for an
instant in the evolutlons in which she
~as engaged. she placed IL eoaus,iish
~ upon her head. A prolonged viva
srrtisd this act. while the pleased sal
ant. who had thus brrn conceded the
ioor. placed himself opposite TO her
and Joined in the dance IL continued
Tor time. when. n, the cry OF Cham
nara." by the spectators. III. youns
gallant, bowling gracefully to the sirl.
retired to give place TO the second as
,lrant. Placing himself opposite cire-.
Tho new partner went through the
nno series OF -yoiutions as his pF-tie'
scssor. ending by un~indinE the Grim
son China Grape sash from his waist
shieh h. fashioned into n rosriir and
huns from one Of the hare shoulders
81 the siri.
This act constituted a challenge to
all comers. while by permitting u TO
remain the Girl Eisninsi her accept
ane. of him until such time as an
other should present better cain. II
.ouid only be answered in one way-by
the knife. From the crowd arose the
.ry of "MaehetS' maehrtrl" and In
promp, response the rival lover HpTans
Into tho cs,radc. and. with a graceful
bow. presented himself to the Girl. A
slight nod told him that he. too. was
welcome TO the honor OF bcs,owins his
tavors: and. drawing his ion.. glitter.
Ing cuehliio from Its sheath. he suS-
pended IL by its bow OF purple ribbons
from the right shoulder OF the girl. al
ready carrying the sash of his rival
upon her left. A new pas de dcus now
began. carried on as before. though
with many cxtcmporircd variations.
,.I rhaFsta Af NtNa
and brayoa greeted the execution OF
some more than usually diiiicul, step.
Or suggestive figure.
Suddenly n stridcnt voice in the
crowd shouted "Bomba'" and the
lance was at nm end. The women.
now that the dancing was over. took
themselves out of harms way. The
two factions. occupying opposite sides
Of the estrada. cismorcd for the fght.
Dona Juanita. proud and radiant.
stood In the center Of the estrada
Awaiting the final ceremony with n
tranquility which went far to prove
her Indifference to the claim OF either
ispirant. But the pledges were still
to be redeemed. and. with n practical
eye to the business features of the
plny. she waited with extended hand.
The usual fee OF each pledge is u sill.
yer half real. but the two gallants. nd.
vancins one after another. fllcd both
hcr hands with silver coins. amid the
murmurs OF applause which such pro.
digality excited.
The estrada was now cleared for the
fight. which nothing could now avert.
The sylvan temple, so lately the scene
Of gayety and pleasure. was converted
into gladiatorial arena. Into its
midst one OF the gallants advanced.
and. first tracing n rude circle in the
hard.beat sand of the floor, planted his
knife in its center. The second
promptly followed and placed his long
blade close beside that of his rival
while both courteously uncovered. 4
polite alteration then ensued as to
who should first place his hat upon his
head. each claiming an honor which
granted by either. would make him
the superior in point of courtesy. The
difficulty was. however. decided by
both contestants covering at the samt
time. The spectators were then re1e
gated to the outside of the estrada. the
combatants placed face to face. ant
the signal given.
The combatants stood each with his
long blade grasped in his right hand
and with his left hand and arm
wrapped in the folds of his manga b,
way of shield. At the word the com
bat began. The Gautaricans know
nothing of scientific fencing. and rel,
wholly upon strength and agility o
body. The blows were furiously given
but were far from dexterous. On botl
sides it was only a series of quicl
thrusts and clumsy parties. of sudder
lunges and hasty retreats. Their Ion,
knives struck one another with me
tallic clang, or cut the air with
mournful sough. But there was
ferocity and determination about TIL
men which resulted in much bloodshet
and mutual hacking of flesh. The.
s&ayed to and fro Upon the floor. TIL
tumultuous crowd closing about then
as they were successfully displaced
Thus it continued for ten minutes
when. wounded and bleeding. both mel
came to the floor, and were carried OF
by their more intimate followers.
1t was when the barbarous iuel II
the public square had been brought t.
n termination that Overton, induigini
in little bitter reflection regarding
/ L. /. n. ~. u. h