h silk dresses, each wearing a robe of a different color,
together with ribbons or some other distinctive mark of favor from his
mistress. The procession closed with a numerous troop of _chulos_, or
_banderilleros_, a set of young men lightly and fancifully apparelled,
whose business is to distract the attention of the bull from a fallen
cavalier, and to harass the animal with the _banderillas_. In this
splendid troop we perceived some traces of the ancient spirit of chivalry,
although, strange to say, the favorite sport of the fine cavaliers of the
land is now confined to the lowest orders. It is only from the
slaughter-house that the bull-fighters now, for the most part, proceed.

The procession moved on, at a slow and stately pace, amidst strains of
music and the vociferations of the lower classes, many of whom soon
recognized in the heroes of the fete, some near relation, some dear
friend, or at least, well-known acquaintance, whom they were desirous of
encouraging by their shouts. The champions having made their respective
obeisances to the royal box and to the corregidor, retired to the places
set apart for them in the arena.

The _picadores_, according to the order of precedence, ranged themselves
in the circus, close to the _baranda_, or wooden barrier, which, though
elevated to the height of five feet, is sometimes scarcely sufficient to
prevent the most furious amongst the bulls from breaking over it. Suddenly
the music ceased--the silence was intense--the signal is given--the doors
were flung open--and, with one tremendous burst, forth sprang the bull into
the middle of the circus! It was a fearful animal; not large, but of that
peculiar color and breed which are accounted the most ferocious.

Dark is his hide on either side, but the blood within doth boil,
And the dun hide glows as if on fire, as he paws to the turmoil,
His eyes are jet, and they are set in crystal rings of snow;
But now they stare with one red glare of brass upon the foe.
Upon the forehead of the bull the horns stand close and near,
From out the broad and wrinkled skull like daggers they appear;
His neck is massy, like the trunk of some old knotted tree,
Whereon the monster's shagged mane like billows curled ye see.
His legs are short, his hams are thick, his hoofs are black as night,
Like a strong flail he holds his tail in the fierceness of his might;
Like something molten out of iron, or hewn forth from the rock,