128 A GREAT CORRAL [chap, vi. 



On the other hand, the houses themselves are hollow 

 squares ; all the rooms opening into a neat little courtyard. 

 They are generally only one storey high, with flat roofs, 

 which are fitted with seats, and are much frequented by the 

 inhabitants in summer. In the centre of the town is the 

 Plaza, where the public offices, fortress, cathedral, etc., 

 stand. Here also, the old viceroys, before the revolution, 

 had their palaces. The general assemblage of buildings 

 possesses considerable architectural beauty, although none 

 individually can boast of any. 



The great corral, where the animals are kept for slaughter 

 to supply food to this beef-eating population, is one of the 

 spectacles best worth seeing. The strength of the horse as 

 compared to that of the bullock is quite astonishing ; a man 

 on horseback having thrown his lazo round the horns of 

 a beast, can drag it anywhere ihe chooses. The animal 

 ploughing up the ground with outstretched legs, in vain 

 efforts to resist the force, generally dashes at full speed to 

 one side ; but the horse immediately turning to receive the 

 shock, stands so firmly that the bullock is almost thrown 

 down, and it is surprising that their necks are not broken. 

 The struggle is not, however, one of fair strength ; the 

 horse's girth being matched against the bullock's extended 

 neck. In a similar manner a man can hold the wildest 

 horse, if caught with the lazo, just behind the ears. When 

 the bullock has been dragged to the spot where it is to be 

 slaughtered, the matador with great caution cuts the ham- 

 strings. Then is given the death bellow ; a noise more 

 expressive of fierce agony than any I know ; I have often 

 distinguished It from a long distance, and have always 

 known that the struggle was then drawing to a close. Tne 

 whole sight Is horrible and revolting : the ground Is almost 

 made of bones ; and the horses and riders are drenched with 

 gore. 



