_____________	SALTILLO COMERCIAL
PAGINA ONCE
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A CORRIDA DE TOROS
THE BEGINNING,OF THE CORRIDA
“El Toreo” Mexico’s mammoth bullring, is filled to overflowing. Loud laughter, shrill whistling and an incessant murmur telU us that the multitude is in excellent sipirits. The low conversation of ‘different groups multiplied by the thousands of 'person in tile ring assumes tumultuous proportions. At ■times it reaches such heights that is necessary to shout to make yourself heard. “La Porra”, a self-styled rooting section composed of th9 rougher element, roars its approval as one ®f its memíbertvs hits an enemy rooter full in the face with an over-ripe tomato. ' Every one seems to be tremendously hapipy and laughs upon the slighest provocation. Suddenly the ■pla.za clock strikes four. The multitude rises and whoops with joy and excitement. Th» Judge orders the bugle and drum to signal the beginning of the corrida. The arena gates are flug open...... and the corrida begins. A corrida de toros is the one thing within the confines of the Mexican Republic that starts exactly on time.
A horseman rides out into the ring. He goes directly to the Judge and bows. Years ago it was the custom for the horseman to bow and ask permission to ho-ld the corrida. This the Judge would concede and then throw down the keys to the bull-«pen. All this now taken for granted, but the formality remains. Now the horseman merely rides up and bows, then rides back; waiting for him
at the gate are all the toreros. The horseman again starts for the Judge’s box. this time followed by the entire “cuadrilla” or matadores with their staffs. The toreros bow to the Judge; they return the salutes of the public; they ¿re prepared for the corrida.
THE FIRST TERCE
Of the Three terces in a corti -da, the first has begun. The first matador issues orders to his assistants ar “peones”. The bugle blows and the drums roll. The gate opens and the first bull of the afternoon rushes out. A second before he reaches the ring a ribbon is thrust into his neck, denoting the colors of the bull breeder. Heretofore the bull has been in total darkness. The bun blinds him; the huge ring frightens him; everything angers him. The first thing he sees is one of the peones holding out his cape. He charges but one second before he gets there the peon ducks behind the protective fence. This is the bull’s first test. Whether or not he charges into the fence is a ponint of vital importance. If he does, he iis a brave bull; if not, he is given to slyness and cunning and is a bull well vrorth watching out for. Then anothei’ peon on the cppo'Site side of the arena holds out his cape. The bull charges him. This time the man throws cut the cape and the bull rushes into it. All this the matador watches with ¡great keenness, since the success of the “faena’ or skillful preparation of the bull
for killing, will largely depend on his knowledge of .the bull. The animal maty attack nobly; he may have a tendency to hook towards the right or towards the left. This is an important clement for the matador to considier; with his cotirse of action planned, he faces the bull.
Tne matador Unfolds his cape near the bull and summons him for the charge. As the bull rushes the matador holds out the cape and executes a “veronica”. This is the first individual cape play that one sees in a corrida. The veronica has four stages, the last of which is so executed that the bull is forced to turn in a shorter space than he requires, consequently coming to a standstill and allowing the matador time to step away from the bull and receive either an ovation or a thorough hissing.
With the last veronica the gates ^are opened and the horses are branght in. The men on th» horses are called “picadores”. The horse and the rider give the bull one of his severest tests. The an’mal’s reaction towards the horse is of great importance. Theoretically the bull will furiously charge the horse and the picador will try to keeip the bull away by holding him off with a long pie. As has been noted, this is a severe fest th© purpose of w'hich is to take speed and power away from the bull, which, generally is pi>c-ed; three times. With the third pic the authority gives the signal to end the terce. Exit ¡picadores, toreros and horses, and enter the “banderilleros”.