A TOREADORA ON STILTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1577, 6 June 1887, Page 2

A TOREADORA ON STILTS.

Juat prior to the taking effoot of thu decree against bull-fighting, I was fortunate enough to witness a contest la which one of the moot skilful, daring, sod expert of the professional fighten of Mexico took the leading part. The performer was a young woman, whose equal has never appeared m the "PJaza da Coro»." la this, her farewell exhibition Senarita Hernandez advertised for the wildest and fiercest bulls the country oould produce, and agreed to fight them while wearing atilts. Th 9 novelty of a young girl engaging m a bull-fight, handicapped by having stilts fastened to her feet, was nuffioient to attraot a vast orowd, and on the day fixed for the contest fully five thousand peop'e found placea to sit or stand m the large amphitheatre. The animals provided for the occasion were small, active' and wholly antamed. each having his horcs trimmed <nd polished until the points were quite at bright and almost as sharp as noodles. Never was more expert work done In this cruel sport than was coolly performed by the Mexlono girl on that day. As th& bull, mad with rage, would make hli furious oharge, she would firmly stand until he had approaohed within about two feet, when suddenly springing to one, side, she would, aB (he animal rushed furiously by, withtme hand slap him In the face with the red cloak with which hie anger had been first aroused, while with the other hand she dexterously thrust into his neck a gaudy, barbed bander'Vllla, causing hi.n to roar with pain and rage* Oharge aftar oharge was made by the. maddened brute, only to be eluded by thfj aotive girl, while the bull met the sama treatment as before. The little senorita played with him, plagued him, and 'ortared him bb a oat would a moutt, until the animal bleeding and sore, and worn out with fatagrie and pain, gave up the contest. He had met his conquerot and was taken from the ring, In the next contest the fair Oastillan was under an advertised obligation— while still wearing stilts— to kill the ball with a sword scarcely more than two feet la length. This was to be done by the Toreadora at the time the animal was making a oharge, the fatal thrust to be given while she was dlre.otly m front of and fairly faoing the bull. The animal seleoted for the osntest was a beautiful specimen of his race. Black aa a coal, agile as a oat, savage and. wild, he was no Booner within the arena than he was ready for the battle; After he had been permitted to make a charge or two to warm him to his work, the Governor, who presided on the ocoaslon, gara a signal and the bugle sounded the * death call. 1 The Seuorita, with stilts of one foot m height securely fastened to her limb*, re* oeived the short sword, Minted the Governor, and turning to her enemy, gave a shout of defiance and wared her soarlet cloak to routae his anger. At thfsj time the distance separating the antagonists was about 200 feet. Toro, qulvetiug with ex. oitement, and pawing the earth m his rage waited for no second invitation. With firthing eyes and head lowered to the ground, he started a* full speed for the object of his hate. The brave girl waited until the beast was within twenty feet, when bracing horaelf firmly, ehe held her sword at shoulder height ready for bii coming. When within four feet she threw her body suddenly forward, gave a quick thrust with her sword, and without waiting to see the effect of her blow, swung quiokly rouad and again saluted the Governor. In the twinkling of an eye she turned to facs the bull, , and as she did he dropped dead so olose to her that without changing her position, she placed her foot upon the neotc of her now helpless enemy. The sword, directed by the strong arm of the self-possessed girl, had severed the spinal cord, and death was instantaneous and probably painless. It was a perilous feat, skilfully and fearlessly performed, and the slightest nervousness on the part of the performer would probably have resulted m her death. The great audience, m recognition of the skill of the brave Toreadora, rose to its feet and for several moments there was aBhower of gold and silver ooin falling around the victorious air l «<y yffiffl wmm