CHAPTER XIX 

 THE SPANISH FIGHTING -BULL 



HIS BREEDING AND TRAINING 



The normal British idea of a bull naturally derives colour from 

 those stolid animals one sees at home, some with a rino: through 

 the nose, and which are only kept for stud purposes, but occasion- 

 ally evince a latent ferocity by goring to death some haptless 

 herdsman. 



Between such and the Spanish Toro de Plaza there exists 

 no sort of analogy. The Spanish fighting-bull is bred to fight, 

 and the keen experience of centuries is brought to bear on the 

 •selection of the fittest — that, moreover, not only as regards the 

 bulls, for the cows also are tested both for jjluck and stamina 

 before admission to the herd -register. The result, in effect, 

 assures that an animal as fierce and formidable as the wildest 

 African buffalo shall finally face the matador. 



The breeding of the fighting -bull forms in Spain a rural 

 industry as deeply studied and as keenly competitive as that of 

 prize-cattle or Derby winners in England. 



At the age of one year preliminary tests are made, and promis- 

 ing youngsters branded with the insignia of the herd. But it is 

 the completion of the second year that marks their critical period ; 

 for then take place the trials for pluck and mettle. The brave 

 are set aside for the Plaza, the docile destroyed or gelded ; while 

 from the chosen lot a further selection is made of the sires for 

 future years. 



At these two-year-old trials, or Tentaderos, it is customary 

 for the owner and his friends to assemble at the sequestered 

 rancho — the event indeed becomes a rural fete, a bright and 

 picturesque scene, typical of untrodden Spain and of the buoyant 

 exuberance and dare-devil spirit of her people. 



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