The _espada_ now waved his piece of scarlet cloth several times, and the bull rushed blindly at it. By a mere movement of his body, the _espada_ avoided the animal's attack. The latter soon returned, however, butting furiously at the light cloth, which he pushed on one side, without being able to pierce it. The favourable instant was come: the _espada_ placed himself exactly opposite the bull, waving his _muleta_ with his left hand, and holding his sword horizontally, with the point on a level with the animal's horns. It is difficult to convey by words an idea of the fearful curiosity, the frantic attention produced by this situation, which is worth all the plays Shakspeare ever wrote. A few seconds more, and one of the two actors will be killed! Which will it be, the man or the bull? There they stand, face to face; the man has no defensive weapon of any kind, he is dressed as if he were going to a ball, in pumps and silk stockings. A woman's pin would pierce through his satin jacket; a mere rag and a slight sword are all that he has to save his life. In this fight all the material advantages belong to the bull, who possesses two terrible horns as sharp as daggers, immense force, and that animal fury which is not conscious of danger. But then, on the other hand, the man has his sword and his courage; the eyes of twelve thousand spectators are fixed upon him, and in a few moments, young and beautiful women will applaud him with their delicate white hands. The _muleta_ was suddenly thrown on one side, leaving the _matador's_ body exposed to view; the bull's horns were not an inch from his breast; I thought he was lost. A silvery flash passed with the rapidity of lightning between the two crescents, and the bull fell upon his knees with a roar of pain. He had got the hilt of the sword between his shoulders, just as the stag of Saint Hubert is represented in Albert Dürer's marvellous engraving, bearing a crucifix in the midst of his branching antlers. Thunders of applause burst forth from all parts of the amphitheatre; the _palcos_ of the nobility, the _gradas cubiertas_ of the middle classes, the _tendidos_ of the _manolos_ and _manolas_ cried and shouted with all the ardour and petulance which distinguish the natives of southern climes, "_Bueno! Bueno! Viva el Barbero! Viva!!!_" The blow which the _espada_ had just given is held in high estimation, and called _la estocada a vuela pies_; the bull dies without losing one drop of blood, which is accounted the height of elegance, and by falling on his knees, seems to acknowledge his adversary's superiority. The _aficionados_ (dilettanti) say that the inventor of this blow was Joaquin Rodriguez, a celebrated _torrero_ of the last century.