The Bull Ring 2 1 9 



position ; then still holding the red flag in the same 

 manner, but with the left hand, he withdraws the sword 

 with his right hand and makes the thrust which, if well- 

 directed, is fatal. It is necessary to get the bull to stand 

 with both fore-feet exactly in a line, for then he must 

 take a step forward with one before he can move, thus 

 giving the matador time to escape, if he charges. When 

 standing in the required position, the next thing is to get 

 the head lowered nearly down to the fore-feet, which 

 exposes the top of the withers where the sword has to 

 enter. 



Frascuelo had done all this, and made a thrust, but 

 it was a failure ; a chulo had rushed forward with a 

 cloak, and the bull was pursuing him, while Frascuelo 

 commenced to rearrange the cloak and the espada. 



No doubt partly from chagrin at not being successful, 

 and partly from swagger, the matador never took any 

 notice of the bull after the chulo had appeared on the 

 scene, but stood with his back to the others, concentrating 

 his whole attention on his own business, although one of 

 the chief maxims of the bull-ring is, " Never take your eye 

 off the bull." As a rule, under such conditions, a bull will 

 follow the cloak of the chulo for some distance, and if he 

 tires of that one another chulo is ready, and again the bull 

 is tempted to pursue the gaudy lure. In this case the 

 enraged brute only followed the cloak a few yards, and 

 then, in spite of the efforts of the chulos, he turned and 

 charged straight at the unconscious form of Frascuelo. 



It was like a nightmare. Everyone rose to their feet 

 and yelled to attract the attention of the matador, while 

 he, with his head bent down engrossed over his work, paid 

 not the slio'htest attention. No doubt the confusion of 



