202 Unexplored Spain 
Not seldom a bull singled out from the vodéo 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 thus 
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 début 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 Spain 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 cabrestos (or cabestros, in correct Castilian), 
decoy-oxen sent out to fraternise for a few days with the fighting 
race preparatory to the Encierro, or operation of convoying the 
latter to the city whereat the corrida is to take place. Hach 
cabresto 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 tori. 
