Page:The Rambler in Mexico.djvu/177

Rh Whenever it happens that a bull is so averse to afford sport that he can neither be coaxed nor irritated to fight, but shuns all encounters, a cry of ''caula! caula!'' (tail! tail!) is raised by the populace.

On a note of approval issuing from the alcalde's trumpet, two or more horsemen, better mounted than the ordinary picadores, and distinguished from them by being without weapons, are seen to rush forward, at full speed, in pursuit of the recreant bull, who very naturally runs for his life with fresh vigour, round and round the arena.

The most adroit of his pursuers, on coming up to his left flank, catches hold of the tail with the right hand, and passing it under his own right leg, gives it a turn round the raised pummel of the saddle, at the same time that he suddenly wheels his horse round at right angles by the pressure of the powerful bit, a manœuvre which rarely fails to throw the bull on his back. This may appear very surprising; but a moment's reflection will show you, if you put yourself in the bull's place, that the feat can hardly fail of being successful, provided you run very fast, and your pursuer contrives to get a very firm hold of your tail.

It was now verging towards the middle of April, and the advance of the season combined with other considerations to make us fix our departure from Vera Cruz by the New-York packet of the first of May.

To effect this in the most prudential manner, now that the yellow fever was rife on the coast, was incumbent upon men who, after all done and said, valued their lives, and were looking towards home after an absence of upward of two years.

For many days it was impossible to see our way clearly, on account of the conflicting opinions in the capital, as to the precise time of sailing. There was a variation of eight or ten days in these rumours; at the same time that we were counselled on all hands not to descend