Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-02-13
CHAPTER Ix.-tContlnuedJ


plause greeted the fair dancer. Slow
ly the mandolins sounded the measures
Of the dance, and with tranquil, al
most hesitating steps, the young girl
interpreted the rhythm and time with
her tiny feet Gradually the chords
quickened and became livelier, and the
slow-moving Circe merged into ra'
diant Terpsichore. Her eyes, hitherto
bent timidly upon the floor, were now
proudly raised and swept the crowd
with half coquettish, half inquiring
glances. They seemed to say: Are
there none brave enough to risk being
my partner"
One of the young fellows thus inter
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
of silver and lace for the acceptance OF
the bewitching dancer. Receiving IT
with a smile, without pausing for an
instant in the evolutions in which she
was engaged, she placed it coquettish-
ly upon her head. A prolonged viva
GREETED this act, while the pleased gal
liant, who had thus been conceded the
floor, placed himself opposite to her
and joined in the dance. 1t continued
for a time, when, at the cry of Cham
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 corners. while by permitting it to
remain the girl signified her accept
ance of him until such time as an
other should present better calm. 1t
could only be answered in one way-by
the knife. From the crowd arose the
cry of "Machete! machete!" and in
prompt response the rival lover sprang
into the estrada, and. with a graceful
bow, presented himself to the girl. A
slight nod told him that he, too, was
welcome to the honor of bestowing his
favors and drawing his long, glitter
ing cuchillo from its sheath, he sus-
pended il by it's 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 deux now
began, carried on as before, though
with many extemporized variations.
Every now and then chorus of vivas
and braves greeted the execution Of
some more than usually difficult step,
or suggestive figure.
Suddenly a strident voice in the
crowd shouted "Bomba!" and the
dance was at an end The women,
now that the dancing was over, took
two factions, occupying opposite sides
of the estrada, clamored for the fight.
Dona Juanita, proud and radiant,
stood In the center of the estrada
awaiting the final ceremony with a
tranquility which went far to prove
aspirant. But the pledges were still
to be redeemed, and, with a practical
eye to the business features Of the
play, she waited with extended hand.
The usual fee of each pledge is a sill
yer half real, but the two gallants, ad-
her 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
into gladiatorial arena. Into it's
midst one of the gallants advanced,
and, first tracing a rude circle in the
hard-beat sand of the floor, planted his
knife in it's 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.
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 we're furiously given,
but were far from dexterous. On both
sides it was only a series of quick
thrusts and clumsy parties. of sudden
Llnges and hasty retreats. Their long
knives struck one another with me-
tallic clang, or cut the air with o
mournful sough But there was a
ferocity and determination about the
men which resulted in much bloodshed
and mutual hacking of flesh. They
swayed to and fro upon the floor. the