Festivals, games, and amusements by Smith Horace 1779-1849 & Woodworth Samuel 1785-1842

Author:Smith, Horace, 1779-1849 & Woodworth, Samuel, 1785-1842. [from old catalog]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sports, Games
Publisher: New-York, Harper and brothers
Published: 1841-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

whose immediate attack was suspended by the point of the sword which he beheld opposed to his advance. At length, forgetting his danger in his fury, he sprang forward, and was dexterously avoided by the matador, who, leaping on one side, had resumed his defensive position before the attack could be renewed in another direction. The combat continued thus silently for a short period, with no roar on the part of the bull, nor one exclamation from the matador or the spectators. The silence was at length broken by the sound of the trumpet, which knelled the fate of the unfortunate bull by giving the signal to his antagonist for the completion of his work, and for the catastrophe of the combat. He accordingly collected himself for the decisive blow, tempted the bull to make another spring, and plunged his sword into the place Avhere the junction is formed between the head and the neck at the root of the horns. The bull staggered with the thrust, and for a moment receded, but seeing t^ matador still standing in his front, his bloodshot eye beamed with the last ray of fire, and collecting all his remaining strength he made one more attempt at vengeance. His antagonist this time generally contents himself with avoiding the attack, without repeating his blow. The legs of the animal begin to totter, his head falls on his breast, he reels with the faintness of approaching death ; he utters no sound, but reserves his last struggle for another fruitless attempt at revenge.

" At length, unable to move from the spot where he stood, his glazed eyeballs rolled insensibly over the spectators who were gazing at his misery. Life's last struggles became fainter and fainter ; his knees alone supported his body, till, unable longer to contend with his fate, he sank in the dust already moistened with his blood, and expired without a groan.

" The instant that the motionless limbs of the unfortunate animal proclaimed that life had departed, the ear was suddenly assailed by the sound of trumpets, the shouts of the multitude, and cries of bravo ! bravo ! which issued from all sides ; while handkerchiefs and mantles waved in the air spoke to the eye the triumph and pleasure of the spectators. In the midst of this tumult, the folding doors were thrown open, and three mules abreast, richly caparisoned and ornamented with flags, were conducted in full gallop. The horns of the deceased bull were attached to

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