Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 3.djvu/313

Rh where Montés fights. Clear, obscure, all bulls are good fighters with him. He fascinates them, he transforms them, he kills them when and as it pleases him. He is the first matador whom I have seen gallear el toro, that is to say, turns his back on the enraged animal, and lets it pass under his arm. He scarcely deigns to turn his head when the bull rushes at him. Sometimes throwing a cloak over his shoulder he crosses the ring followed by the bull; the beast in a fury pursues him without being able to reach him, and yet it is so near Montés that each time it charges, its horns raise an end of the cloak. So great is the confidence which Montés inspires, that for the spectators all idea of danger has disappeared, and their only feeling is one of admiration.

Montés is said to hold opinions not at all favourable to the present order of things. They say that he has been a stiff royalist: that he is a shrimp (cangrejo), that is to say a moderate. If good patriots regret this they can not avoid sharing the general enthusiasm. I have seen descalzos (ragamuffins) throw their hats to him in an ecstasy and beg him to put it on his head for an instant. There are 16th century ways for you! Brantôme says somewhere: "I have known many gentlemen who before wearing