, 1862-06-26

had but just installed myself in the corridor,
when my attention was directed 10 a dark and
rapidly advancing mass, which soon discovered
was composed Of mounted picadores armed each
with very long-poled lance, who headed and
surrounded the cavalcade Of wild bulls These
again were more Immediately hemmed in by
bulls, taught by the picadOr 70 place themselvss
between their wild companions and the horses;
for, otherwise, both horse and man would be IN
jeopardy Of their lives. s-sa s
On they came rushing to the mouth Gf may
so call it) Of the balustrade at full gallOP Here
the tanned or decoy bulls (callsd cabrestos) fel
back; with the exception Of one which carried
round its neck the bell Of precedence. This
one Immediately followed the mounted pieador
who headed this wild procession. As soon as
they entered the balustFade, the other cabrestos
followed close behind them 10 Opreyent their turn
ing back. t.i
| The doors Of the plaza are wide open. On
they rush through there with ioaming mouths
and painting sides, 10 the other extremity Of the
plaza, and through smother door. One trembles
for the picador in front; but his horse adrOitly
bounds aside; and keeps within the plaza while
the bulls rush through, still closely followed BY
the decoy bulls but the moment the eight wild
ones pass the door their duty ends, aiid they re.
treat, only leaving the leader within.
The doors are slammed.tO, and you hear the
roaring and Believing Of the ierocious animals,
who find themselves enclosed in small circular
court surrounded by high wall, and peflorated
with loop-holes, through which the excited peo-
pie look with delight at them, adding to their
| fury by their yeis and ho6ting The cabresto
that had headed them keeps close to the door,
which in an auspicious moment Is cautiously
opened enoGgh for its egTessj Il always backs
out, to keep the others BY is horns from escap-
ing from their prison,
/ was 50 delighted with the instinct Of these
animals, that determined to inquire Of the pi-
cador how be trained themt and proceeded with
my servant to q room attached to the plaza,
where there were stretchers and mattresses, and
some very old looking diaehylon plaster for the
use Of the wounded and, on q table stfeWed
with fresh flowers lighted up shrine Of the
Virgin and child; placed there by the relatiyesor
sweethearts Of some Of the actors 10 the alex.
citing bull.fight and accompanied with ietyent
prayers for their safe delitefance from the com
ing poFils.
Don Antonio, the owner Of the eabrestoH, was
little man, not Eve feet IN height, with round
head, his thick grey coarse hair closely cropped
little round twinkling black eyes, round ace, anu
round figure. alfa ,is,s'.s sag '.sussit'
Pardon my intrusion, / exclaimed las they
gazed in Wouder at so unexpected visioD) but
| am, though foreigner great lover Of this
have been delighted at the sagacity displayed
by your dscoy bulls, and have Ventured 70 come
and inquire how you teach them; and how you
manage to bring in the wild ones from the cOun-
try"
Every hat was lifted on my entrance, and
every one rose from. .the table. on which were
served sweets and liquors; and Don Antonio
seemed well pleased at my admiration Of bis pets
"COme tomorrow, iair lady to the encierro,
and l will show you how well my bulls are
trained. Twill give you review, and you will
own that they are well disciplined a. an army"
Whilst he was speaking, four OF five others
came into the room, who proved % be the pica-
dores and chulillos, who were TO show their
prowess In the Afternoon. Ny little irior intro
duced them to me by name, and told them was
an Inglesta, who loved Spain and ttCir customs
The first and famous picador (Chafpa) begged
| for my good wishes for his success, and handed
me glass Of anniseed-brandy, which ] would
willingly have declined, but he urged me 10 drink
TO their success, and it would have been attri-
buted to English pride bad Ipersisted in refas
ing il, so took sip, after making an appropri-
ate speech, and leit them with WIS por u
rubia Inglesa" ~ s"
The next morning I was true 10 my appOint.
| ment; and as soon as the wild bulls were dis !
posed Of, Don Antonio, after bowing to me 10 my
box, called to bis cabrestos to guard his horse.
One Immediately preceded him; and one ranged
"r ~. ha"a's ,Sost aDd thr.e ahress3 in ne
~. .uI ~ 80 S1har oomn.nSons fn;esdoresl Iol.
Io%nd snJ ,rsrs snrronpded bv the remaining
".nsos,os 80 V;,b " shont nm Antonio started
~ ~ S,Ii .iioD .onnd ~. ,Iaz. tha bnlls keen
;n, T." ~ 49, .s, "a sp nds;,;cn ,SS -
"s Sov ~ IL r;rht,s he called ont shifting the
.c,;on I" ths word ana Al ne same rapid pace.
" Now 10 the IN ~ WNow cross oyerI" They
ohsvsd VIII Snch promptitude and precision,
tbSi tha horses were never for moment OK.
noqed Halt ~ and he refined 10 his horse 20
suddenly as alrpost 70 bring him on his haun-
sSuS. ~. . ~" ~ .s S,,a5sDiv halted, He