o, who though arrived at an advanced age, still retained
much of the strength and agility of his youth, which, combined with the
experience he had acquired in the game, rendered him a very formidable
opponent. He advanced with a stately pace, bearing in one hand a piece of
scarlet cloth to entice the animal, and in the other his sword. Having
arrived in front of the seat of the presiding authorities, he made a
graceful salute, and then performed the same ceremony before his friends,
who hailed him with many hearty _vivas_; whilst a deadly silence was
observed on the part of the admirers of his rival Leoncito. Candido
proceeded slowly, and warily towards the bull, endeavoring to entice him
by waving the red cloth. The animal, however, would not suddenly rush
against his foe; but calmly watched for the moment when he might find him
less upon his guard.

Candido, with all the skill of a practised _matador_, appeared to guess
the sinister intentions of the bull, and followed his every movement with
an active eye--nay, he seemed to penetrate into the inmost feelings of the
animal.--Irritated by the defiance, the bull sprang upon his foe; but was
baffled in his vengeance, for he pierced only the floating piece of cloth;
the _matador_ very adroitly turning aside, and plunging his sword into his
flank as he passed. The wound however was not mortal, and the combat was
renewed. The bull, somewhat intimidated, did not again charge his
adversary; but preferred awaiting his approach;--after some appropriate
evolutions, Candido at last boldly advanced towards him, and with a
successful thrust pierced him to the heart. Nothing had been wanting to
complete the success of Candido but the solitary triumph of retaining his
sword in his hand after the death-blow was inflicted, this being
considered the _ne plus ultra_ of the art. The bull had no sooner fallen
to the ground than a set of most beautiful mules, splendidly caparisoned,
and ornamented with a profusion of ribbons and small flags, were brought
into the circus to convey from it the lifeless carcass. This operation was
performed amid the stormy sounds of martial music, and the shouts of the
multitude; the tremendous animal was dragged from the field, leaving in
its progress a long crimson track upon the scattered sand.

The signal now sounded for a second fight; the doors were once more thrown
open, and a huge bull rushed forward, and without a moment's loss ran
furiously at the ne