Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-03-20

VAS the musicians struck the first low |
\ Killing notes shout of universal APP !
huse greeted the fair dancer. Slow |
the mandolins sounded the measures |
the dance, and with tranquil. al |
ost hesitating steps, the young girl |
Interpreted the rhythm and time with |
4er tiny feet. Gradually the chords |
uickened and became livelier, and the |
xslow-moving Circe merged into ra.
riant Terpsichore. Her eyes. hitherto |
bent timidly upon the floor, were now
proudly raised and swept the crowd
with half coquettish, half inquiring |
Eglances. They seemed to say: Are |
there none brave enough to risk being |
fmy partner?"
N One of the young fellows thus inter
4 preting the look, and perhaps eager to
show his courage, quickly advanced to
the estrada. and, uncovering, present
ed his gay sombrero with its garniture
lSof silver and lace for the acceptance OF
1.-THE bewitching dancer. Receiving 1t
with smile, without pausing for an
Einstant in the evolutions in which she |
was engaged. she placed 1t coquettish-
iy upon her head. A prolonged viva
a GREETED this act, while the pleased gal
liant, who had thus been conceded the |
door. placed himself opposite to her
\ and Joined in the dance. 1t continued |
L for a time, when, at the cry Of Cham
y mara!" by the spectators, the young
\ gallant, bowling gracefully to the girl,
retired to give place to the second as
pirant Placing himself opposite Circe.
the new partner went through the |
same series of evolutions as his prede-
cessor. ending by unwinding the Grim.
son China Grape sash from his waist.
which he fashioned into rosette and
hung from one of the bare shoulders
Of the girl
This act constituted a challenge to
all eomers, while by permitting 1t to
remain the girl signifed her accept
ancS of him until such time as an.
9TH should present better calm. 1t
ccuH only be answered in one way-by
the tnife. From the crowd arose the
cry&M "Machete! machete!" and in
prppt response the rival lover sprang
int<he estrada. and. with graceful
boz presented himself to the girl. A
ST At nod told him that he, too. was
vi ome to the honor of bestowing his
fG1ors; and, drawing his long, glitter
o. cuchillo from its sheath. he sus-
Dnded 1t by its bow of purple ribbons
lfom the right shoulder of the girl, al
Weady carrying the sash OF his rival
Nupon her left. A new pas de deux now
began, carried on as before, though
with many extemporized variations. |
Every now and then a chorus of vivas
and braves greeted the execution of |
some more than usually difficult step.
or suggestive figure.
Suddenly strident voice In the
crowd shouted "Bomba!" and the
dance was at an end The women.
.-s~w that the DANCING was over. took
. themselves out of harn'5 way. The
two factions. occupying opposite sides
of the estrada, clamored for the fight.
Dona Juanita, proud and radian;>
stood in the center of the estrada
awaiting the final ceremony with
tranquility which went far to prove
her Indifference to the claim OF either
Z aspirant. But the pledges were still
to be redeemed. and, with practical
eye to the business features of the
play, she waited with extended hand.
Tho usual fee of each pledge is a sill
yer half real. but the two gallants. ad-
vancing one after another. filed both
her hands with silver coins, amid the
murmurs of applause which such pro-
digality excited.
The estrada was now cleared for the
light. which nothing could now avert.
LOT oil ha |
of gayety and pleasure. was converted
into gladiatorial arena. Into its
midst one of the gallants advanced.
and, first tracing !dde 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 A
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 same
time The spectators were then rele-
gated to the outside Of the estrada, the
combatants placed face to face. and
the signal given.
q 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 by |
way OF shield. At the word the com
bat began. The Gautaricans know
nothing of scientific fencing, and rely
wholly upon strength and agility of
body. The blows were furlously given,
but we're far from dexterous. On both |
sides It was only a series of quick
thrusts and clumsy parties. OF sudden
hinges and hasty retreats. Their long
knives struck one another with me-
tallic clang, or cut the air with
mournful sough. But there was a
ferocity and determination about tho
men which resulted in much bloodshed
and mutual hacking of flesh. They
swayed to and fro upon the floor. the
tumy.ltuous crowd closing about them
as they were successfully displaced.
Thus 1t continued for ten minutes,
when, wounded and bleeding, both men
came to the floor. and were carried of
by their more intimate followers.
It was when the barbarous luel In
the public squsr hid been brought to
q termination that Overton. INDUCING
in little bitter reflection regarding
the evil that befalls man through his
natural love for woman. felt hand
plucking his sleeve. and knew from the
Whit Of yillainous tobacco smoke that
his new Jonathan, the general, stood