Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1876 — Bull-Fighting in (Southern Arixona. [ARTICLE]

Bull-Fighting in (Southern Arixona.

A large, ring-llke incloaure, abut In by a wall ot poles set in the ground, and bound together by rawhide thongs; a gato-llke opening, with a narrow passageway leading to it, made of the same rude materials; a post in the center of the ring, ten feet high, with a cross-bar at its top swinging on a pivot, and suspended from each end or the bar a large canvas bag, distended by a framework within; on two sides of the incloeure, and on a level with the hips of the poles, a series of broad platforms —on the one in the shade of the building, in the rear, the combined beauty of the Sunny South, on the other, and beneath it on the ground, a motley collection of caballcros, old men and brown, shock-headed, batlcas boys—admirable specimens of the type gamm; a flutter of fans and a rustle of drapery from the one baicosy—laughter and frequent signals of impatience from the other. ******* As the first bull disappears through the side gate another dashes into the circle from the main entrance—a great black fellow, with red, wicked-looking eyes. He stands lor a moment lashing his sides with his long, thin, whip-like tail, with lowered crest, glaring upon the novel scene. A novice need not be told that he would need no urging to make him fight. A nimble matadore flaunts his scarlet flag in the air, and with a low bellow the angry beast plunges at it; Just & fraction of time the wily aggravator balances himself on his toes in front of the brute, and with a f raceful sweep tosses his flag over his ead, and glides to one side, while the bull sweeps by with a force thut would have driven his long, thin horns through and through the Mexican, if he had been in front. Cries of “ Bravo I” and the clapping of fair (though ungloved, and I must say somewhat brown) hands reward the matadore, who receives the acknowledgment with a profound and graceful bow. And now, the bull’s blood beingtlioroughly up, he dashes right and leitat the sight of every red flag. About this time our friend the clown reappeared, but he had undergone a remarkable transformation — before he was quite a thin fellow, with a “lean and hungry look; 11 IMll liftn hi ISoT sufficient size for the president of a fat man’s club. The bull, catching sight of him, dashed at him, and before the unlucky fellow could escape, caught him on his horns and hurled him through the air as tltoagh shot from a catapult. A matadore claims the hull’s attention long enough to let “the clown escape, Who, thanks to his generous padding, is riot much hurt, and who, as he gets up and limps oft', looks the astonishment he probably does not feel. This accident is quite funny enough to satisfy even his natural tormentors, the small boys, and their salutations, as the clown limps by, would be very amusing if they were translatable. A great deal or merriment is produced by two feilows who climb into the canvasbags suspended in the center of the arena. As the bull nears them they attract his attention, and backing off a few feet he rushes at them. As he strikes the bags they rebound, and occasionally are driven completely over.- The occupants are protected by the trame work within the bap, and besides are thoroughly padded. Presently the ring is cleared of all but one brave fellow, who, tossing aside his flag, takes in each hand an iron barb, highly ornamented with rosettes and streamers of various colored ribbons and paper. Watching- a favorable opportunity, he plunges one into the nearest flank of the bull and the other into the other flank. At each insertion the bul winces, bellows with pain and becomes frantic with rage, while his flanks are bathed in blood. Taking a barb in each hand the matadore approaches the furious animal. Somewhat weary from repeated failures aud the injuries he had received, the bull closely watches the man, and wheeling round presents a constant front; closer and closer goes the bull-flghtcr, the bull recedes slower and slower, finally stops, lowers his massive head, and with his front hoofs drives the dirt of. the arena £ar up into the air. Suddenly he recedes a few feet rapidly; the matadore stops; with lowered* crest and lashing tail the brute plunges at him. Poising himself, tho matadore stretches forth his loug, slender arms, and when the mad brute is right upon him, reaches over the grizzled front and curving horns, and plunges the stinging barbs down into the shoulders of the furious bull and glides to one side untouched—a brave and daring feat, over which the spectators go wild in their enthusiasm. The gate is thrown open, the bull rushes out, the band plays and the orowd disperses. The General with whom I have been standing (I am with a military party today) says: “Very cruel amusement; all one-sided; not a man killed.” —San Fran~ ei»co Alta California.