The Elbert County tribune., 1902-05-01

3lause greeted the fair dancer. Slow
y the mandolins sounded the measures
Of the dance. and with tranquil. al
most hesitating steps. the young girl
Interpreted the rhythm and time with
ner tiny feet. Gradually the chords
luickened and became livelier. and the
slow-moving Circe merged into ra-
liant Terpsichore. Her eyes, hitherto
oent 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. uncoyering. present
ed his gay sombrero with its garniture
Of silver and lace for the acceptance OF
the bewitching dancer. Receiving 1t
with a smile, without pausing for an
instant In the evolutions in which she
was engaged, she placed 1t coquettish-
ly upon her head A prolonged viva
gretted this act. while the pleased gal
lant. who had thus been conceded the
ioor, placed himself opposite to her
and Joined In the dance. 1t continued
Tor time. when. at the cry os Cham
marai" by the spectators, the young
gallant. bowing 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-
tessor. ending by unwinding the Grim
son China Grape sash from his waist.
which he fashioned into a rosette and
hung from one of the bare shoulders
Of the girl.
This act constituted n 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 cain. 1t
could only be answered in one way-by
the knife. From the crowd arose the
cry of "Machetei machete!" and in
prompt response the rival lover sprang
into the estrade. and, with 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-
Dtuubu IL us lAS DOW Vi
from the right shoulder of the girl, al
ready carrying the sash of his rival
upon her left. new pas de deux now
began. carried on as before. though
with many extemporized variations.
Every now and then a chorus of vivas
and bravos 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
themselves out of harms way. The
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
her indifference to the claim of either
aspirant. But the pledges were still
to be redeemed. and. with n practical
eye to the business features of the
play, she waited with extended hand.
The usual fee of each pledge is sill
yer half real, but the two gallants. ad-
vancing one after another filled both
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
of gayety and pleasure. was converted
into a gladiatorial arena Into its
midst one of the gallants advanced,
and. first tracing 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
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