Bisbee daily review., 1908-07-24
AN IMPROMPTU BULL-FIGHT
By rsArA HuRNrsAM
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 opening of the Plaza de Toros in the capital, and agents had been securing the immediate suburbs in search of bulls-young and sufficiently untamed to meet the requirements of the Cor rida. The principal source Of supply was drawn from one Maxine Gomez, half-breed cattle owner. who had earned local fame years before. and who was now recuperating. in 8 meas ure. the gayiy scattered earnings of his youth by raising cattle, from which he separated each year a number of bulls that were especially adapted to the requirements of the bull ring.
 This season, however. had been an unusually unlucky one, inasmuch as disease had killed on very large number of the cattle in that region. and Gomez had been one Of the heayi- est losers. Standing under the one shade-tree that his corral afforded he took a last disconso,ate inventory of the thin and dropping animals brows- ing outside, and turned over in his hand the agents letteT-equally de- jected-looking from its frequent jour neys in and out of not too immacu- late blouse-pocket. which served also as the repository for a filthy tobacco pouch.
 The man seemed to take a dismal satisfaction in reading and re-reaaing a document that promised prompt pay ment for the immediate delivery of several frst-class bulls. He had spent the entire day in a vain endeavor to convince himself that he could fill the order, at least in part, and be had finally been forced to admit that he did not possess a single animal that any self-respecting matador would toll crate in the ring. And what was worse, none of his neighbors had any bulls to sell The only man who might, if he would, help him out of the matter was Don Pedro Benayente, a rich rancher, whose territory ran parallel with Gomez at the western boundary But Don Pedro had prin- ciples of his own, and would not sell bulls to the agents of the Plaza de Toros. nor would he, for similar req sons, have any business dealings with Maxine Gomez.
 Stopping, he caught up the lasse that he had thrown down in final dis gust, and was about to leave the corral when short, deep below in the dis tanee' attracted his attention. He stopped and listened. Presently he heard it again, this time a little nearer.
 He walked toward the gateway and waited. In few moments the ani- mal appeared, crashing through the sarubbery that bordered the clearing. and Gomez saw that 1t was not one of his. It was a young bull that had evidently strayed through some break in a neighboris fence and, attracted by the lowing of the nearby cattle, had found it's way to Gomez corral.
 The man stood perfectly still until it came near enough, then his arm flashed upward and the moose de- scribed. three circles over his head, falling neatly around the neck of the startled animal. He tied the rope to fence-bar and inspected his prize. It was a splendid animal, and, as he had suspected. 1t bore the curious and unaistakable brand of Benavente. For long while he stood considering, and pulling nervously at his black moustaehe. Not that he was harassed by any conscientious scruples. nor that he was wasting any thought on the ethics of the case, but he knew that a convicted cattle-thief was dealt with summarily and most unpleasantiy tn that region, and so he weighed most carefully his chances of eluding dis coyery: By leaving the Esneh at dawn he could have the animal well out of the district before it would be even missed, and once delivered to the agent, who was not abnormally curl. ous in matters of this kind, aiI trace of the bull would be speedily lost. -e---ry feG--@gsrS- N