THE BULL-FIGHT. 75 



ing in the intermediate space a circular gallery, behind 

 which the combatant is in safety ; but in some cases the 

 barrier is single, and the bull succeeds in his attempt to 

 surmount it, when an indescribable scene of consternation 

 and confusion immediately follows, which proves fatal to 

 many of the spectators, while the unfortunate animal falls 

 under the blows which are levelled at him from all sides. 

 " If the animal is not despatched by those on horseback, 

 and if he seem disposed to renew the combat, they retire 

 and give place to the bandcrilleros, who are on foot ; and, 

 presenting themselves before the animal, the moment he 

 darts upon them, plunge into his neck a kind of hook- 

 darts, ornamented with small streamers of colored paper. 

 The rage of the animal is raised to the highest pitch ; and 

 were it not for the experience and skill of the assailants, 

 his furious efforts would hurl destruction on their heads in 

 a moment. The bull being exhausted with numerous 

 wounds and loss of blood, another victim of barbarous 

 sport is demanded ; the signal of death is given by the 

 president, and announced by the sound of trumpets. The 

 matador then appears in the arena, when the other com- 

 batants retire. In one hand he holds a long dagger, and 

 with the other waves a flag before his adversary. The in- 

 terest and pleasure of the spectators, which had been sus- 

 pended, are again awakened ; and the matador, watching 

 the favorable opportunity, inflicts the mortal blow ; and if 

 the animal fall, the loudest shouts of acclamation announce 

 the triumph of the conqueror ; but if he fail in the first 

 attempt, a murmur of disapprobation pervades the assem- 

 bly. The fallen animal is then dragged from the arena by 

 three mules, ornamented with bells and streamers, and 

 another is immediately introduced, to run the same course 

 of barbarous torment. At one period, six bulls were thus 

 sacrificed in a morning, and twelve in the afternoon, 

 on the days appropriated to these entertainments in 

 Madrid." 



