Year: 1868

suuueuly Deeu uepTlVeu OF tne power
of speech and motion.


The master of ceremonies gave the
signal the trumpets sounded, and
their reverberation, like that Of the
wind instruments in, the valley of
Jehoshaphat on the day of Judgment,
produced general uprising. A wide
gate that separated the inclosure,
where the bulls were confined from
the arena, was thrown open, and a
large red bull rushed into the circle
amid the most tremendous uproar and
shouting. On hearing this the bull
stopped, raised his head, and with
fiery eyes appeared to ask if all that
provocation was intended for him.
He reconnoitrod the ground and pre-


cipitately turned his head from one
side to the other in a menacing at
titude. He hesitated a little while
longer; the loud and penetrating
shouts increased then he rushed,
with a rapidity that seemed incom,
patible with his size and weight, to-
wards one of the fighters. But on
feeling the pain produced by the en-
trance of the point Of tie goad into
his flesh, he withdrew a little and
turned on the second fighter, who was
not so much on his guard as the other,
and his thrust in consequence was
neither so straight nor efTectual.


He wounded the animal, but did
not stop him. His horns disappeared
in the body of tho horse that im-
mediately fell to the ground. A cry
of terror arose throughout the circus;
all the chulos were Instantly around
the horrible group; but the eHraged
animal had already taken full posses
sion of his prey, and was not to be
distracted from his revenge. At that
moment the shrieks of the crowed be-
came blended in a deep and uniform
clamor, that would have filed the
whole city with terror, had it not
issued de Ia plaza de los toros. The
scene was becoming really horrible at
each moment of its proIongation, The
bull was rosolutely goring the horse
the horse was crushing the rider by
his weight and convulSiye movements.
At this critical moment a young
woman, clad in silvcry garments and
shining like a star, was seen approach
ing behind the bull. This young
woman of delicate frame and brilliant
aspect, took hold Of the fierce ami.
mails tail and attracted him towards
her, with as much sang frotd as if he
we're little lap dog. The bull, sur
prised at this insolent interruption,
turned furiously around and rushed
to his adversary, who, without turn
ing her back, made a dexterous res
trogade movement, aud avoided the


first encounter by half turn to the


right. The bull faced around to butt
again, but the skil!ful Malinche avoid


ed him second time by a quick


movement to the left, continuing thus


till she drew him near his railing,
ISbe there disappeared from the as


tonishcd eyes of the animal and the


anxious gaze of the people who, in


toxicat5d with the enthusiasm, rem


the air with thundors Of applause.


In the meantime they had raised


the horse, but the poor animal could


not stand. The intestines were hang


ing from his lacerated side and drag


ging on the ground. The rider hac


also been placed in a perpendicular


position and was trembling with ragc


against the bull. He could not b.


dissuaded from mounting the poo
animal again; he tore himself from
the arms of the chulos by main force


and vaulting into the saddle, buried
his spurs deep into the bleeding side'
of tie horse.


By this time the bull had de
spatched a considerable number O
horses; the urlucky one l have JUS
mentioned was dragged along, hi
intestines trailing on the ground, to
gate through which he disappeared
Others that could not rise wer
f stretched here and there trembling il
the conyulsions of mortal agony. A
these signs Of life, the enraged beas
returned to the charge, buryiug hi
: bloody horns in the lacerated an
palpitating members of his victims
After that he walked around tn
ring, his horns and forehead drippin
with gore, in an attitude Of provoea
. ton and defiance at one momen


tossing his head menacingly toward
J the people, whose wild shouting di
9 not cease for a moment; then b
! turned towards the gayly dresse
/! cbulos, who. were passing up an
! down before him endeavoring to ex
I cite his fury to a still higher degree
a by sticking darts or goads into hi
!. flesh, which on the moment Of enter
= ing, exploded, producing in the bull
: quick, convulsive movement of til
$ wounded parts, followed by dee
Q hoarse belloW Indicative of rage an
e vengeance.


t At signal from the president, tn
d trumpety sounded a second time, an
n all was again silence. Then Malincf
G with sword and a red hankerehi


in her left hand, issued forth au
IS stopping before the seat Of the pres
k dent, saluted and asked permission
r kill the bull. The assistants watchC
g her movement with attention, ar
: seemed ready to execute her order