The Bull Ring 2 1 7 



the segment of a circle, which manoeuvre enables him to 

 allow the horns to pass under his arm, while by a quick 

 turn of the wrist the weapons are embedded in the bull's 

 neck. This is the ordinary routine of every banderillero, 

 but usually they take good care to make their effort close 

 to a " shelter," behind which they can run for safety, in 

 case anything goes wrong. Our matador, however, intends 

 to act sensationally, and boldly stands in the centre of the 

 ring, holding the banderillos at arm's-length, straight above 

 his head, and shouting to attract the bull's attention. 



The latter is a gallant animal, and no sooner does he 

 catch sight of his new enemy than he lowers his head and 

 makes for him at his utmost speed. The matador meets 

 him successfully and thrusts in the banderillos, but then 

 occurs what very seldom happens ; instead of plunging into 

 the air and endeavouring to tear out the tormenting darts, 

 the bull turns with the utmost rapidity and charges 

 straight at the defenceless man. It seems as if only a 

 miracle can save him from instant impalement. There is 

 no chulo with a cloak handy to float it in front of the 

 bull's eyes, and thus distract his attention. In order to 

 enhance the sensation of the feat, the matador directed all 

 the chulos to retire to the barriers, and now he can 

 trust to his speed of foot alone. As the bull arrests his 

 charge, which he does with marvellous quickness, the 

 banderillero realises what is going to happen and starts for 

 the barrier, with the bull scarcely two yards behind him 

 doing his utmost to catch his tormentor. There are fully 

 lifty yards to the barriers ; the spectators hold their very 

 breath from the thrilling excitement of the scene, and 

 absolute silence falls on that vast assembly. The man just 

 keeps ahead, but when he reaches the barrier the horns 



