Page:Appleton's Guide to Mexico.djvu/154

126 into four classes: the espadas, or matadores, who kill the bull with a sword; the banderilleros, who thrust barbed darts into his neck; the picadores, who ride jaded Rosinante-hacks, and strike the animal with their lances; and the chulos and capas, who tease him with gayly-colored cloths, and assist the toreadores generally.

The bull enters the arena at the sound of a trumpet, and is in turn attacked by the above-named classes of fighters. When the persecuted beast falls from exhaustion and loss of blood, he is killed by the cachetero, who thrusts a small dagger into the nape of the neck, just above the spinal column. The body is then dragged out of the ring by a trio of mules, amid the deafening yells of the crowd, the band playing at the time. The carcass is sold to the butcher. Unlike the funciones of Spain, the horses are protected with huge leather covers, and the tips of the bull's horns are sometimes sawed off.

, or peleas de gallos, take place all over the country. The cock-pits are light pyramidal structures that are made of wood, with a thatched roof, and open at the base.

Cock-fighters, or galleros, are frequently seen in the streets, each carrying a game-cock, with a string tied to its leg. Sunday afternoon is the favorite time for cock-fighting.

Occasionally the inhabitants of rival towns will have a match, when representatives of each will send picked game-cocks to engage in the fight. The event is announced, weeks beforehand, by gaudy bills posted on the sides of the public buildings.