AN INDIAN DANCE. 



145 



the corridor. Another, with a pocket-handkerchief 

 in his hand having a knot tied in one end, walked 

 along the line of women, threw the handkerchief at 

 one, and then returned to his seat. This was con- 

 sidered a challenge or invitation ; but, with a proper 

 prudery, as if to show that she was not to be had for 

 the asking, she waited some minutes, then rose, and 

 slowly taking the shawl from her head, placed her- 

 self opposite the young man, at a distance of about 

 ten feet, and commenced dancing. The dance was 

 called the toros, or the bull. The movements were 

 slow ; occasionally the performers crossed over and 

 changed places, and when the time ended the lady 

 walked deliberately off, which either brought the 

 young man to a stand-still, or he went on dancing, 

 as he liked. The manager or master of ceremo- 

 nies, who was called the hastonero, again walked 

 along the line, and touched another lady in the same 

 way with the handkerchief She again, after wait- 

 ing a moment, removed her shawl and took her 

 -place on the floor ; and in this way the dance con- 

 tinued, the dancing man being always the same, and 

 taking the partner provided for him. Afterward the 

 dance was changed to a Spanish one, in which, in- 

 stead of castanets, the dancers from time to time 

 snapped their fingers. This w^as more lively, and 

 seemed to please them better than their own, but 

 throughout there was nothing national or charac- 

 teristic. 



Early in the morning we were roused by loud 

 Vol. L— T 13 



