BRUTAL USAGE. 



31 



part of the bull's nose, and secured at both ends to 

 the vaquero's saddle. In this way he was hauled 

 through the streets and into the ring. Another 

 vaquero followed, with a lazo over the horns, to hold 

 the bull back, and keep him from rushing upon his 

 leader. In the centre of the ring the leader loosed 

 one end of the rope, and, riding on, dragged it trail- 

 ing on the ground its whole length, perhaps a hun- 

 dred yards, through the bull's nose, leaving a crust 

 of dirt on one side as it came out bloody on the 

 other. The bull, held back by the rope over his 

 horns, stood with his neck outstretched; and when 

 the end of the rope passed through, he licked his 

 gory nose, pawed the ground, and bellowed. 



He was then lazoed, dragged up to the post, girt 

 with the rope around his body like the other, and 

 then, amid bursts of music, rockets, and shouts, 

 again let loose. The chulos went at him, flaring 

 before him with the left hand red and yellow pon- 

 chas, and holding in the right darts containing fire- 

 works, and ornamented with yellow paper cut into 

 slips. These they thrust into his neck and flanks. 

 The current of air accelerated the ignition of the 

 fire ; and when the fireworks exploded, the paper 

 still rattled about his ears. The picadores then 

 mounted their horses ; but, after a few thrusts of the 

 spear, the bull flinched, and the spectators, indignant 

 that he did not show more fight, cried out, " Baca 

 esa vaca /" " Take out that cow /" 



