BULLS AND BULL-FIGHTS 175 



describe the onset of an animal inferior in size, though 

 not in courage, to the smooth-skinned, long-horned, 

 high-crested giants of the Southern plains. 



In Portugal bull-fighting is almost as much a 

 national institution as in Spain, but with a mitigation 

 of its brutality. The bull's horns are supposed to be 

 padded, and the animal is not killed after the exhibi- 

 tion, but allowed to " live to fight another day." 

 Still, the injuries done to horses are often fatal, in spite 

 of the precautions taken to render the horns of the 

 bull less dangerous, and the sufferings of the horses 

 are the most cruel part of the performance, when this 

 is held in the great bull-rings of the large towns. 



But the entertainment is by no means confined to 

 the principal cities. It is there that the popular heroes 

 of the ring perform, and the skill of the banderillo 

 and the matador is seen in perfection. But every 

 little country town converts its plaza into a bull- 

 ring at least once a year, and there the exhibition of 

 native pluck and strength, whether of bulls or men, 

 is seen in an even more picturesque form than among 

 the vaccari of the Maremma. "First catch your 

 bull" is the necessary preliminary to these rustic 

 encounters ; and the forests have to be scoured in 

 order to secure suitable animals. Every one who has 

 a horse to ride, or even a mule, delights to join in 

 these expeditions. Armed with strong, blunt goads, 

 they divide into two parties and scour the woods 

 until the herds with which the old bulls are keeping 

 company are discovered. In the great forest of the 

 Alemtejo the bulls live a life so free and wild that for 



