Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1903-03-18

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wailing notes shout Of universal ap-
plause greeted the fair dancer. Slow
" the mandolins sounded the measures
of the dance, and with tranquil, al
most hesitatlng steps, the young girl
interpreted the rhythm and time with
her tiny feet. Gradually the chords
quickened and became livelier, and the
alow-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 partnerT
One Of the young fellows thus inter
preting the look, and perhaps eager to
chow 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 1t
with smile, without pausing for an
instant in the evolutions in which she
was engaged, she placed 1t coquettish-
~ 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 time, when, at the cry Of Cham
maral" 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 a rosette and
hung from one of the bare shoulders
of the girl.
This act constituted a challenge to
Ill comers while by permitting it to
remain the girl signifed her accept
.ance Of him until such time as an
other should present better cain. 1t
could only be answered in one way--by
she knife From the crowd arose the
cry Of Machete machete!p and in
prompt response the rival lover sDrang
into the estrada, and. with graceful
bow, presented himself to the girl. A
slight nod told him that he, too, was
welcome to til q honor of bostowing his
favors: and. drawing his long. glitter
ing cuchillc from its sheath, he sus-
pended 1t 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 deux now
began, carried on as before, though
with many extemporizod 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 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 practical
EJU " lAAC Duoiutoo AOatuiCoi VI iA1
play. she waited with extended hand.
The usual fee Of each pledge is sill
yer half real, but the two gallants. adj
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
..tIf oh /. ra,.t
The sylvan temple, so lately the scene
of gayety and pleasure, was converted
into gladiatorlal arena Into its
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
TIA supsror in point OF courtesy. The
dificulty 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
hat began The Gautaricans know
nothing Of scientific fencing. and rely
wholly upon strength ana agility OIL