Page:The Burton Holmes lectures; (IA burtonholmeslect04holm).pdf/321

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Then trumpets sound, the door of the toril is thrown open, and amid the breathless silence the first bull makes his entry. He pauses, dazed by the glare, then espying a chulo waving a red cape, he charges at him. Seldom does the capeador await the first onslaught of the animal; instead, running lightly, he vaults the barrier, and from the safety of the circular alley between it and the wall of the arena watches the bull exhaust his first angry force upon the solid wooden panels. Impotent is the fury of the bull.

THE PLAY OF THE CAPA

Meanwhile a mounted picador is urging his frightened, miserable horse into position to receive a charge. The bull being accustomed to equine companions during his life in the open country, at first looks upon the horse without hostility and turns away. Perhaps the bull a second time pursues a fleeing capeador, who this time may turn and face his advancing foe, and throwing the capa out to right or left, stand there unarmed, while the bull harmlessly tosses the airy,