The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-04

in response to q power greater than
any within herself, she turned again.
The attention of host and guest was
riveted upon the preliminary antics Of
the Indian dancers, and Rezanov seized
the opportunity to lean forward ,unob-
served and gaze at the girl whom it
seemed to him he saw for the first time
in the full splendor of her beauty. She
wore a large mantilla of white Spanish
lace. In the fashion of the day It rose
at the back almost from the hem Of her
gown to descend in point over the
high comb to her eyes. The two points
of the width were gathered at her
breast, defining the outlines of her su-
Perb figure, and fastened with one large
Castillan rose surrounded by it's mass
OF tiny sharp buds and dull green leaves.
AS the familiar scent assaulted Reg
panded. His lids were lifted and his
eyes glowing as he finally compelled
her glance, and her own ewes oponed
with an eager flash; her lips parted and
her shoulders lost their naughty poise.
For a moment their gaze fingered in a
perfect understanding; his ill-humor
vanished, and he leaned back with a
complimentary remark as Father Abella
directed his attention to the most agile
of the Indians.
wit tn their thick features and long
hair were even more hideous than usu-
al in bandeaux Of bright feathers,
scant garments made from the breasts
Of water fowls, rattling strings of
shelis, and tattooing on arm and leg
no longer concealed by the decorous
mission smock. Rezanov had that day
sent them presents Of glass beads and
ribbons, and in these they took such
extravagant pride that for some time
their dancing was almost automatic.
But soon their blood warmed. and
AFTER the first dance, which was merely
series OF measured springs on the
part OF the men and a beating of time
by the women, large straw figure,
symbolizing an entire hostile tribe,
was brought in, and about this pranced
the men with savage cries and ges-
lures, attacking. .retreating, finally
piercing it with their arrows and
marching it off with sharp yells of tri-
umph that reverberated among the
hllis; the women never varying from a
LOUD, monotonous chant.
mere was a peaceful interlude, dur
ing which the men, holding bow and
arrow aloft, hoped up and down on
them and swapping thumb and fo orsdne
ger on the BODY, still singing in the
same high-measured voice. But while
they danced a great bonfire was laid
and kindled. The gyrations lasted
few moments longer, then the chief
seized live ember and swallowed it.
His example was Immediately followed
6y his tribe, and, whether to relieve
discomfort or with energies but quick
ened, they executed d series Of incred-
ible handsprings and acrobatic Fcapers.
When they finally whirled away on toes
and finger tips, another chief, in the
horns and hide Of deer, rushed in,
pursued by party Of hunters. For
several moments he perfectly simu-
lated. hunted animal, lurking and
lodging in high grass, behind trees,
venturing to the brink of a stream to
drink, searching eagerly for his mate;
and when he finally escaped it was
amidst the most enthusiastic plaudits
as yet evoked.
After an hour of this varied perform
ance, the square was enlarged by sew
eral mounted vaqueros galloping about
with warning cri es and much flourish
in of lasso: They were the cattle
the hills, and were in gala attire Of
black glazed sombrero with silver cord,
white shirt open at the throat, short
black velvet trousers laced with silver,
red sash and high yellow boots. Four,
pistol in hand, stationed themselves in
front of the corridor, while the others
rode out and in again, dragging bear
and bull, with hind legs attached by
two yards Of rope. The captors left
the captives in the middle Of the square;
and without more ado the serious sport
empty and hide infamed, rushed at the
bear, furious from captivity, with such
a roar that the Indian women screamed,
and even the men shuffed their feet
uneasily. But neither combatant was
interested in aught but the other. The
one sought to gore, his enemy to strike
or hug. The vaqueros leased them
with arrows and cries, the dust flew;
for q few moments there was but a
heayIiing, painting, flashing bulk in the
middle Of the arena. and then the bull,
his tongue torn out, rolled on his back,
and another was driven in before the
victor could wreak his unsated ven
geance among the" spec tators. The
bear, dragging the dead bull, rushed at
the living, who, unmartial at first,
stifened to the defensive as he saw
bulk of wiry fur set with eyes of
fire, almost upon him. He sprang aside,
lowered his horns, and eau ht the bear
in the chest. But the victor was a
tum. His onslaught flung the bear
over backward, and quickly disengaging
himself, he made another leap at his
equally agile enemy. This time the
battle was longer and more various,
for the bull was smaller, more active
and dexterous: Twice he almost had
the bear on his horns, but was rolled.
only saving his neck and back from
the fury Of the mountain beast by
such a kicking and leaping that both
combatants were indistinguishable from.
the whirlwind Of dust. Ont Of: this
they would emerge to stand painting
in front Of each other with tongues
pendant and red eyes rolling. Finally
the bear. nearly exhausted, made sud-
den charge, the bull leaped aside, back
again with incredible swiftness, caught
the bear in the belly, tossed him SO
high that he met the hard earth with
a loud cracking Of bone. The vague
ros circled about the maddened bull,
set his hide thick with arrows, tripped
him with the lasso. A wiry little Next
can in yellow, galloping in on his mus
tang, administered the coup de grace
amidst the wild applause of the specta-
tors, whose shouting and clapping and
stamping might have been heard by
the envious guard at Preside and Yer
ba Buena. 49,.
AS the party on the corridor broke,
Rezanov found no difficulty in reach
ing Concha g side, for even Dona Igna-
cha was chattering wildly with several
other good danes who renewed their
youth briefly at the bullfght.
Did you enjoy thatH" he asked
curiously. -, 3. ~.
stT d;l MI 1a.1. - Eia 8,