into the prostrate carcase ere it is dragged away. This is sport! [Illustration: BULL-FIGHT IN THE CITY OF MEXICO, SHOWING THE SPECTATORS OF THE "SOL," THE PICADORES, AND THE ENTERING BULL.] But perhaps the bull himself is faint-hearted! Then, indeed, the noble Spanish blood of the audience is aroused to fever pitch. "_Otro toro! Otro toro_"--"Another bull! bring another bull!"--rises from a thousand throats. Otherwise the other acts of the performance take their course, and the _banderilleros_, bull-fighters armed with short gaudily decorated spears with barbed points, come on. Some "pretty" play now ensues, the _banderilleros_ constantly facing the bull at arm's length with the object of gracefully sticking the spears or _banderillas_ in the neck of the animal, where, if successful, they hang dangling as, smarting with the pain, the bull tears round the arena, to the accompaniment of the delighted roar of the crowd. This scene is repeated again and again, until perhaps several pairs of _banderillas_ are depending from the shoulders of the maddened animal. The _capeadores_ have not been idle, and the bull, repeatedly charging them and meeting only the empty flapping of the _capas_--the scarlet cloaks which the bull-fighters charged with this office wield--works himself into a paroxysm of rage, which must be seen to be understood. Oftentimes the _capeadores_ are severely injured; sometimes killed in the act by a terrific stroke of the bull's horns. But hark! once more a bugle-call, strong and sonorous, from the judges' box; the well-known notes which call the _espada_ to his task; the last act in the drama--for drama it is. The _espada_ is the most famous bull-fighter of all. His salary is a princely one; his reputation extends over two continents, from Old Madrid to Old Mexico. He is the great star in all that richly-dressed galaxy of _toreros_--for their gorgeous silver and gold spangled attire baffles description--and all his _companeros_ are but lesser lights, paling before his name and powers. And now the band, which has hitherto sent forth joyous music, plays a sad and mournful air. The _espada_ takes the sword from an attendant and examines and curves it with critical and expert eye. Then, taking off his gold and silver-embroidered cocked-hat, he bows low towards the judges and to the fair ladies of the _sombra_; and in fitting phrase "dedicates" the stroke he is about to perform to them. Or otherwise, with his hand upon his heart, he turns towards the occupants of the _sol_, and again bowing low dedicates the coming stroke and the doomed bull thus: "_Al Querido Pueblo!_"--"To the beloved people"! A hush falls upon the great assembly: a pin might be heard to drop: the bull, who during these preliminaries--somewhat fatigued but full of life and anger--has been standing in the arena with his attention diverted by the _capeadores_, is now left to face his doom at the hands of the expert _espada_. Bull and man slowly