"But the term of the persecuted _toro's_ own existence was shortening, and the people, fearing lest his end should arrive for they had had all the enjoyment that could possibly be extracted from his struggles, called loudly for the _banderillas_. The trumpets blew gets approving blast, and to bold _banderilleros_ presented themselves, after the bull had been provoked by the _chulos_ into the right position and attitude for these new tormentors to commence their attack. The _banderillero_ was an accomplished _torero_, who understood his business, and he took in at a glance the bull he had to deal with. His is a perilous office, but he executed it with intelligence, skill, and grace; he hovered about and around his bewildered victim, turning and twisting his _banderillas_ with provoking perseverance, and gliding aside with surprising muscular accuracy every time the poor bull tried to parry a feint; at last he succeeded in planting his gaudy instruments of torture into the exact spot in which a clever _artiste_ is bound to spike them, unless he can face the execrations of an assemblage of fastidious and disappointed _connoisseurs_. As it was, they testified their appreciation of the barbarous feat by the thunder of applause as the nimble _torero_ eluded the pursuit of his foe by swift retreat. The bespangled and befringed _banderillas_ drooped over with their own weight, and slapped violently on either side of the poor wretches neck, as with the sudden start and hideous roar at the unlooked-for aggravation, he bounded furiously across the sand, tearing up the ground with his horns and hoofs, and tossing everything in his way, in his frantic efforts to rid himself of the new torment; the blood, which had quite coagulated into a gory texture, hanging like a broad crimson sheet from either side of his neck, completely concealed his hide, now started in a fresh stream from the new wound, and his parched tongue hung from his mouth, eloquently appealing in its mute helplessness for one small drop of water. Strange to say, the pitiful sight touched no responsive chord in the hearts of that countless mass of humanity; on the contrary, like the beast of prey who has once licked up blood, this insatiate crowd seemed to gloat over the scene that had well-nigh sickened us; so far from being moved to compassion, regret, or sympathy, they urged on the remaining _banderilleros_, eager in their turn to show their skill, and after the usual flourishes, two more pair of fiery _banderillas_ were adding their piercing points to the smarting shoulders of the luckless bull, 'butchered to make a _Spanish_ holiday.' What must the Roman circus have been, if this was so unendurable?--and yet tender, gentle, loving womankind assisted--ay, and applauded at the ghastly human sacrifice.