1831.J Spanish Highwci)/s and Bijways. 655 



prepared for the renewal. B ut short space was allowed him ; for the 

 bull rushed furiously onward with the same success as before. The 

 lance was again shivered^ and it seemed only by a miracle that the 

 horseman saved himself from destruction. In a moment the gallant 

 fellow was armed afresh, and with increased energy dashed forward to 

 meet his ferocious assailant, who, maddened, and yelling with rage and 

 pain, rushed headlong at him, armed with a savage determination that 

 laughed at all opposition. The veteran fared ill this time. His lance 

 flew into the air in a thousand i?plinters ; he was borne backward in 

 his saddle ; and ere he could recover himself the bull was upon him. 

 In an instant both horse and man rolled together on the arena. The 

 poor horse uttered a cry of agony as the horns of the bull tore him from 

 one extremity to the other ; and the infuriated beast, as though not 

 contented with the blood of his victim, plunged his head into the 

 reeking entrails, and trampled them madly about the arena. It was 

 fortunate for the horseman that the bull thus employed himself, as it 

 gave time for the bandilleros to approach ; and while some engaged the 

 attention of the bull, others were enabled to rescue him from his 

 perilous situation. The bull having sufficiently vented his rage, 

 panting with exertion, and bleeding from every pore, now sunk with 

 fatigue on the floor of the arena. 



A few minutes were allowed to intervene, the spectators being igno- 

 rant of what was to succeed, when to their great astonishment, at the 

 sound of the trumpet, their old champion, whom every body supposed 

 to be hors de combat, gallantly mounted, again galloped into the arena. 

 The multitude welcomed their old friend with loud and reiterated 

 cheers. He was armed with a long rapier, and advanced more 

 cautiously against his opponent, who nov/ shewed no disposition to 

 renew the combat. The old man then challenged him by taking off his 

 cap and throwing it on the ground between them. This movement 

 seemed to rekindle his fury. He arose from his position, and his appear- 

 ance Avas sufficient to have appalled the stoutest heart. His head Avas 

 literally dyed in blood, and large streams were pouring from the deep 

 gashes in his body. His nostrils were covered with foam, and his eyes 

 glared like balls of fire ; low and indistinct bellowing, and the convulsed 

 heaving of his huge frame, bespoke the compressed agony he endured. 

 He pawed the ground and lashed his sides, as though to arouse his 

 energies which were already fast failing. The first object which excited 

 him was the cap. He tore it into pieces and th.rew the fi-agments into 

 the air ; then standing and pawing the ground, he eyed his adversary 

 without caring to advance, while the old man excited him by voice and 

 gesture to renew the combat. During this moment of suspense the 

 anxiety of the sj)ectators was intense. Every one held his breath witli 

 fear — not a word was uttered l)y any one of that va.-;t multitude — a pin 

 might have been heard to drop, so appalling was the interest which 

 seemed to enchain every other feeling than that which was centred in 

 the scene before tlieni. It was not of long duration. Tlie animal pre- 

 pared boldly for a last effort, and tearing up the sand of the arena, lie 

 rushed desperatwly at Ills adversary. He was received by the gallant 

 old champion with his usual intrepidity, aiul as the bull lowered hi;j 

 gory horns to tear the l)()dy of the horse, he received the sword of his 

 adversary in his own. Tlie thrust was dealt with such unerring preci- 

 aiou that the animal, without a struggle, fell dead on the arena. The 



