SHAM BULL-FIGHTIXG. 333 



About eight o'clock my guide arrived : I 

 then took leave of the curate, and retired to 

 rest. 



Dec. 24th. Rose at four o'clock in the 

 morning, and started with my guide at 

 moonlight, v^^hich is by far the pleasantest 

 time for travelling, and arrived at Purifica- 

 tion to breakfast. I then waited on the Juez 

 Politico, to request him to send an express 

 to Senor Caycedo, to procure horses, which 

 he had promised to furnish me with, when- 

 ever I wished to proceed to Ibague. Dur- 

 ing the day, I employed myself in writing 

 this sketch of my proceedings, and preparing 

 every thing for my departure. In the even- 

 ing, attended high mass ; and afterwards wit- 

 nessed an imitation of bull-fighting, in the 

 front of the church. A man, the tallest and 

 most powerful in the place, was selected, on 

 whom was fixed, and well secured, a large 

 ox-hide, with enormous horns, hollowed 



