4 years old, and not even then unless they have passed through two or three severe tests of their courage and fighting propensities. They are first submitted to a trial when a year old by the chief herdsman, or conocedor, who charges them on horseback with a long spear. The young bulls who show fight are branded and reserved for another test of their disposition, while the fainéants are fattened for the market. If they pass a last trial, they are considered fit for the arena. They are then driven to the town, where the fight is to take place, in a herd. This perilous journey is always undertaken at night to ensure greater safety from accident. And to obviate the possibility of an unusually fierce animal breaking loose from the herd, tame oxen of great size, that have constantly grazed in the same prairies, are driven in front of them to act as leaders.
When they arrive at the plaza, the fighting bulls are first shut up in the corral, a kind of yard or pen; and, just before the course, each of them is driven into a little stall, called the toril, which is connected with the arena by a door. Here they await their turn to be killed in fight.
The arena is circular in form, and sprinkled with sand to prevent those engaged in the combat from slipping. It is enclosed by a strong wooden palisade or barrier, some 6 to 7 ft. in height, towards the bottom of which is a step to enable the fighter on foot to leap out of the ring in case of danger from the infuriated bull.
The Plaza de Toros, or amphitheatre, is generally the property of the town, and is let out on hire for bull-fights very much in the same manner as a concert hall in England is let for concerts. In many cases, however, the plaza belongs to the hospital, and is made a source of considerable income by the authorities towards the upkeep of their institution.
A bull-fight may be conveniently divided into three distinct parts, the duration of which is decided by the Señor Alcalde, the president of the course. His decision is proclaimed by a loud fanfare of trumpets.
