The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-14
THE WOMAN BULL FIGHTERS
Sensational Advent in the American Arena O
Beautiful Maidens from Madrid

A scarlet cloak flung at the infu-
rated head of harassed bull, a lean
by the banderilla, a plunge that prov
ed too quick for the opponent who on
two feet tried to outwit the great
brute on four, hoarse shouts as the ex-
cited spectators swayed in their seats
to get a better view-and then the
bleeding animal dashed across the
arena with woman almost impaled
upon his horns.
High in the air the crazed brute
tossed her, and she fell in a. fainting
heap on the ground, where she would
have been gored and trampled to
death had not the scarlet capes of 9TH
er banderillas blinded the bull at that
critical moment.
1t was the Plaza de Toros, or Place
of the Bulls, where I have had the
novel experience of watching five wom-
en- bull fighters just arrived from
Spain and Mexico. says an Ell Paso
correspondent of the Cincinnati En-
Quirer.
They. are very pretty, these five
daughters of people to, whom bull
fighting is the most enjoyable sight in
the world, and they are well-nigh as
devoid of pity as the canvas which
their brunette charms would hand
eomely adorn.
The accident delighted the large .au-
dience. 1t is half, the allurement to
those who frequent such places as the
Plaza de Toros for some catastrophe
to occur to the performers
The girl was assisted from the
arena while the game proceeded. She
was not injured, strangely enough. A
few bruises and a severe shaking up
were all that prevented her reappear-
ance that day.
The matadora, a woman, now the
center of attention from the benches,
had sufficient strength left to make
him an ugly adversary, so the brilliant
ly hued fighter in front of him adroitly
set herself to the task of firing him.
until, made breathless, he should pause
with knees together and head lowered
thus exposing to her alert eyes the vul-
nerable spot on the neck, through
which her sword must enter to reach
his heart.
There was a flash of steel in the sun
light, but the great animal charged be-
fore it could descend. Then the woman
did that which filed the crowd with
delight. She struck the massive, NOV
ing target and leaped aside. The bull
charged a second time. Again she stab
bed him. Again he ground his fore feet
into the earth, and this time the blade
did its deadly work. His great carcass
rolled over, and the crowd went mad
with glee.
1t was not until after the senoritas
had finished their Siestas the next day
that 1 was allowed a personal intro
duction to them.
They turned upon me the battery OF
five pairs of coal-black eyes. Their
lips rivaled their capes in color; their
hair, carefully and deliberately ar
ranged, was as black as the velvet that
embellished their costumes.
And the costumes-ah, what gor-
geousness! Splendidly bespangled
they caught the light at bewilderine
angles wherever they moved. Each
seemed a Kaleidoscope of color. They
were ready for the street parade in e
Paso that takes place daily during
their stay, when on a tallyho ride they
challenge public attention and adni-
ration. They wore richly embroidered
boleros, satin blouses and short satin
skirts. While in the ring petticoats
are, of course, out of professional
question, and they are clad as men.
Their capes-the inevitable garment
of the toreador-are of heavy plush
and velvet, and extremely elaborate
One can readily understand the rea-
son for their length, breadth and
thickness, intended as they are for the
confusion of the bulls. Lined with
white, satin they are daily trailed in
the dust, and have to be frequently
renewed as to lining. In the arena the
owners must never lose hold of their
capes for moment--it would score
against them. The caps they wear
are made of plush and are very clum-
sy. Slippers of noticeably small size