20 2 Unexplored Spain 



Not seldom a bull sino-led out from the rodeo declines to 

 escape, as expected ; but, instead, charges the nearest person, 

 on foot or mounted, whom he may chance to espy. Then there 

 is a flutter in the dovecotes ! Danger can only be averted by 

 skilled riding or a cool head, since there is no shelter. Spanish 

 herdsmen, however (and amateurs besides), are adepts in the art 

 of giving "passes" to the bull — a smart fellow, when caught tlms 

 in the open, can keep a bull off him (using his jacket only) for 

 several moments, giving time for horsemen to come up to his 

 rescue. Even then it is no uncommon occurrence to see horse- 

 man, horse, and bull all rolling on the turf in a common ruin. 

 Seldom does it happen that one of these trial-days passes without 

 broken bones or accidents of one kind or another. 



For four to five more years, the selected bulls roam at large 

 over the richest pasturages of the wide unfrequented prairies. 

 Should pasture fail through drought or deluge, the bulls are fed on 

 tares, vetch, or maize, even with wheat, for their debut in public 

 must be made in the highest possible condition. The bulls 

 should then be not less than five, nor more than seven years old. 



The tentadero at the present day brings together aristocratic 

 gatherings that recall the tauromachian tournaments of old. 

 Skill in handling the garrocha and the ability to turn-over a 

 running bull are accomplishments held in high esteem among 

 Spanish youth. Even the Infantas of SjDain have entered into 

 the spirit of the sport, and have been known themselves to wield 

 a dexterous lance. 



At length, however, the years spent in luxurious idleness on 

 the silent plain must come to an end. One summer morning the 

 brave herd find grazing in their midst sundry strangers which 

 make themselves extremely agreeable to the lordly champions, 

 now in the zenith of magnificent strength and beauty. These 

 strangers are the cahi^estos (or cahestros, in correct Castilian), 

 decoy-oxen sent out to fraternise for a few days with the fighting 

 race preparatory to the E7icierro, or operation of convoying the 

 latter to the city whereat the corrida is to take place. Each 

 cahresto has a cattle-bell suspended round its neck in order to 

 accustom the wild herd to follow the lead of these base betrayers 

 of the brave. Thus the noble bulls are lured from their native 

 plains through country tracks and bye-ways to the entrance of 

 the fatal toril. 



