Blood and Sand

added to the numerous other reasons Gal

ng's palace wore an embroidered coat, with a gold key sewn on to one flap. His remote ancestors had come to Seville with that monarch who had expelled the Moors, and had received as reward for their great exploits, immense territories wrested from the enemy, the remains of which we

his uncle, and though he could neither announce it publicly, nor was the relationship legitimate, he consoled himself by thinkin

familiarity with which the[Pg 149] patrons of the sport of rank treat torer

ey were good sort of people, simple and enthusiastic, but of little importance; small tradesmen, workmen who had become employers, small cler

will return presently"; he, however, did not return, he went further up the street to a very aristocratic club, de

hen a Major-domo, with a silver chain round his neck, came to take his hat and stick. In one room fencing was practised, in another they gambled from the ear

members gravely, realizing that he

antee in his new existence. Besides, Gallardo, with the cunning of a former street urchin, knew

g

s. He played and lost, with the proverbial ill-luck of a man fortunate in

said the members proudly. "He must have

even to the point of making him sometimes forget his great lady. To play with all the best in Seville! To find himse

e green table. There was sudden darkness and wild con

ng much has happened. Let the game

g him even more for his energetic speech, th

Surely he would ruin himself: everything he earned by bull-f

ed of killing bulls and piling up money.... Let the lad enjoy himself

" which was a kind of Senate of tauromachia. The toreros[Pg 151] as a rule did not gain easy access to its p

on cane chairs, waiting for telegrams about the different corridas. They believed very little in the

how many ears one matador had received, how another one had been hissed, while their fellow-townsmen remained in complete ignorance, waiting about the streets till the evening papers were published. When there was "hule" and a telegram came announcing the terrible wounds of some native torero their feelin

d, and ended by laughing at his flights. But it was impossible for sensible men to discuss the merits of the various toreros quietly with

g

and Pepe would enter wavin

lardo, two estocades ... two bulls ... and the ear of t

d, but Don José would pass it over with a gestu

e. What is in yours is only envy becaus

finger to their foreheads and joking about th

e torero would come at first under pretext of looking for his manager, and ended by sitting down among the gentle

y white walls hung announcements of ancient corridas, stuffed bulls' heads, of animals celebrated either for the number of horses they had killed, or for having

days in Seville, when illustrious enthusiasts from every part of Spain came and paid their respects to the "Forty-Five," the servants wore knee breeches and powdered wigs, donned the royal

th, and the variations of the weather. The Marquis explained the observations that his wisdom had gathered, during interminable rides over the lonely Andalusian plains, so immense and solitary, with wide horizons, like the sea, on which the bulls, slowly moving among the waves of verdure, seemed like basking sharks. He could generally see some piece of paper blown about the street which serv

ach drop of this is wo

n him by his large fortune. The simple "aficionados" who never left the town admired his skill in producing fierce animals. What this man knew!... He himself, as he spoke of the extreme care required by the bulls, seemed quite convinced of the importance of his occupation. Out of ten calves, at least eight o

rquis. "It is an expensive luxury. It is true we are paid four or five times as

ll costs more than the maintenance of a family, and when at last they were brought to the highest pitch, they had still to be carefully watched up to the l

er his animals, because a band was stationed just over the bulls' entrance. The noise of the instruments

g

"they only want speech. How can I say lik

s, and this although he was an immensely powerful animal and the terror of the rest of the herd. Then the breeder would dismount, and search in his saddle bags for a piece of chocolate to give to Lobito, who would gratefully shake his head, armed with those immense horns. Then with one arm round the bull's neck the Marquis would calmly walk in among the herd of bulls, made restless and fierce by a man's presence. Th

the animals reared on his pastures his white whisk

e more like him things would go on better in the world. There you

g

to his comrades in the herd, this beast showed the most affectionate gentleness to his master and his family. He was like one of those mastiffs who are so fierce to strangers, but who let the children of the family pull their ears and tail, and receive all their teazing with grunts of pleasure. The little girls were the Marquis's daughter

m as he recalled the occurrence. Never in his life had he seen a bull like that one. He rushed gallantly into the arena, though rather dazed at first by the sudden light a

ed for more horses, while Coronel stood in the middle of the Plaza waiting to turn and rend anyone who came out against him. The slightest invitation was sufficient to make him attack, no one had ever seen anything like him for nobility and power, rus

is point he always stopped

aza and close to the matador, who was slowly rolling up his muleta, as though he wished to put off the moment when he should have to meet s

en came on slowly till he rubbed his horns against the arms stretched out to him. He came with his chest splashed with the streams of blood from the darts fixed in his neck, and his skin torn by the wounds which showed the blue muscles beneath.... "Coronel! My son!..." And the bull, as if he u

aved like white doves. "Do not kill him!" And at that moment the crowd, seized with a vague tenderness, despised their own amusement, abhorred the torero in his showy dress with his useless heroism, and

ter a month on the pasture there was not the vestige of a scar on his neck.... I should have wished him to die of old age, but it is not always th

ey felt at their fierceness. You should have seen the contempt with which they spoke of the enemies o

he Spanish bull is a wild animal: the bravest wild beast in the world. And he recalled several fi

n a bull, and a lion and a tiger belonging to a celebrated tamer. The breeder sent Barrabas, a vicious anim

within reach of the horns, which are his defence. At last he succeeded in throwing the lion in front of him and then ... caballeros! it was just like a game of ball!... He tossed him from one horn to another, shaking him like a marionette, till at last, as if he despised him, he threw him on one side, and there lay the so-called king of animals, rolled into a

ull!... The finest wild animal!... It seemed as if the arrogant bravery of the nati

h[Pg 160] topic of conversation had arisen to in

to follow and catch him, while Plumitas, always alone, with no other help but his carbine and his horse, slipped through those who were following him like a ghost; he would turn on them, when they were few in numbers, and stretch many lifeless, but he was reverenced and helped by all the poor peasantry, wretched slaves of the enormous landed interest, who looked upon the bandit as the avenger of the starving, a just but cruel justiciary, after t

rietors of Seville and Cordova contributed largely to his support.... Whole weeks passed and nothing wou

n the "Forty-Five," precisely

g

" a rich farmer would say. "The overseer gave him

ions, and every sort of annoyance. And for what? The civil guard sought him without success, and had he become incensed agai

being in the least scandalized by them, and treated the

ia, and had twice breakfasted with him. I have run against several of lesser fame, who went about the neighbourhood doing evil deeds. Th

, with the respect of a country peasant for a kind and generous master, spoke of him with the greatest gratitude, offering to kill anyone who offended the "Zeno Marque" in the very slightest

ral times come across Plumitas. He was probably one of those poor-looking horsemen whom he met in the solitary plains with

God, Zeno

at Gallardo, who declaimed with the vehemence of a novice,

a Rincona, my lad," said the Marqui

ease me, Zeno Marque! God alive! Is

a Rinconada. He was a brave man killing bulls, and in a Plaza regardless of his own life

the saddler's children required a change, so Gallardo had sent his family to La Rincona, promising soon to join them. He, however, postponed the journey by

f his life, and he often quite forg

whose presence was a sop to people's scandalized feelings. They would go to see bulls in the pastures round Seville, or to try calves at the Marquis's dairies, and Do?a S

a boxing of bulls was announced for the different Plazas

the railway siding, and dozens of huge boxes on wheels with movable doors. The bulls who were to be entrained, arrived, galloping along a dusty road edged with bar

os" covering the men with their huge horns. After these came the fighting bulls, well rounded up by tame bulls who preve

open, and the whole herd, an avalanche of dust, pawings, snortings and bells, rushed in

stros," taught by [Pg 164]experience and obedient to the shepherds, stood aside to let t

grazing. The suspicious bulls guessed some danger in this small tunnel, and had to be driven on by clappings and whistlings and pricks. Finally they would make a dash for the quiet pasture beyond, making the sloping platform leading to the box shake as they rushed up it, but as soon as they had mounted th

ke this one. The caprices and fickleness of her character bewildered him. He had never dared to address her as "tu," indeed she had never invited him to such a familiarity, and on the one occasion whe

m not to come, or saying she was going out[Pg 165] with her relations, she always used the ceremonious "uste" and th

ad always lived with rascals who showed her letters to every one. One wo

nt servants would coldly bar his way. "The Se?ora was not at home," or "The Se?ora had gone out," and he knew tha

da to himself, "I will not return.

close in her firm white hands, with her eyes wide open and vague, an

ant smells. "It is unworthy of you. I should like you to smell of bulls, of h

bedroom, Gallardo felt something very like fe

a bull, and that you should stand before me rapier in

she planted several blows on the matador's chest only covered by his thin silk ve

g fangs, to come out and bark at you. Do you see that fine fellow who kills bulls, and wh

ps. Exasperated by the pain the matador swore a big oath, shaking the beautiful half-dressed woma

emed sudden

times mad! Let me kiss the bite to cure it. Let me kiss all y

became tender and gentle, purrin

some curiosity as to her past, he questioned her as to the kings

n her eyes she repl

you by any chance jealous?... A

e look in her eyes, the look of madness, which

sts me[Pg 167] greatly! No, not your wife, I know she is very good, but all those that toreros mi

incapable of hurting those weaker than himself. Do?a

.... I should like to know what i

frowned, and a steely gleam lit

ion to me, and do not attemp

of intimacy, a somewhat rough caress from his fighting hand was enough to rouse t

m a blow on the jaw from below upwards with a precision, w

e lady, as if she suddenly realized her unprovoked aggre

let myself be trampled on once, for ever after you would shake me li

al of calves at one of the farms belonging to the Marquis,

into the fields, delighting in the soft sward under their h

adows of the riders with their long lances over their shoulders, and the broa

at Gallardo with

arm round

ses close together, the woman watching their shad

he tapestries, the loving knight and the amazon travelling together, their lances on their shoulders in search of ad

She, as if attracted by his rough ignorance, drew closer to him, laying her h

orero's shoulder. Suddenly her eyes opened, flashing with that strange

you never k

ing harm to anyone. He had scarcely even fought with his companions at the "capeas," when they[Pg 169] held on to the peace because they were the strongest. He had

slightest wish to kill a man?...

dull and grey; even the river had disappeared, and Do?a Sol spurred on her horse with

as to fight at the Easter corrida. It was the first time he would kill in Do?a So

an unlucky mischance in any other Plaza in Spain, thinking he would probably not retur

José. "Think of those who will be watching you. I

s corrida was to take place, and Do?a Sol wished to assist as picqeur at the operation, which presented the further deli

midnight the road leading from the pastures to the Plaza was as lively as a fair. In the country villas the windows were lighted up, and shadows passed before them, dancing to the sound of pianos. In t

h shepherd, who stopped before the taverns and gay country houses, warning them that the herd would

eness of their walls confounded with the shadowy mass of trees. The invisible people, assembled behind the barred and spiked window gratings, were silent in the expect

rustle; the faintest murmur betrayed in the darkness the presence of crowds of people. The wait seemed very long, til

, who appeared gigantic in the darkness, their horses at full stretch. These were the shepherds. Then came a group of amateur garrochists, among whom galloped Do?a Sol, delighted at this mad ride thr

ke a nightmare of shapeless monsters of the night, heavy but at the same time agile, giving horrible snorts, goring at the shadows with their horns, terrified a

e seen ... and the populace, satisfied by this fleeting spectacle, came out of their hiding places

nimals, who, from the impetus of their rush, and their habit of following the "cabestros,"

work to picqeurs or peons. They were all well-bred animals, the best from the Marquis' breeding farms, and a good day might confidently be expected on the morrow. In this hope the rider

e early. He had slept badly, with an anxie

droom, where everything about on the table reminded him of Carmen, to go out and face the danger from the house that he himself had built, and which contained all that was dearest to him in life, disconcerted him, and awoke in him as much trepidation as if he were going to kill his firs

r hid herself in the darkest room. No, she did not wish to see him; she felt ill. Carmen, deathly pale,[Pg 173] was a little braver, biting her lips white with emotion, blinking her eyes nervously to keep back the tears, but when sh

e a coward of even t

all the gold in the world, were it not to give pleasure to my fellow-townsmen, a

lar arms still retained their suppleness. He went into the kitchen and drank a glass of Cazalla, where his mother, acti

ily in their gilded cages, a flood of sunshine swept over the marble pavement, a

's figure in black, with a pail by her side,

es inspire, and she fixed on him admiringly the glance of her solitary eye. The other was

g

turned away nervously into the k

that one-eyed woman who

an with a large family. Our own cha

le, and the first person he met face to face was a one-eyed woman! Certainly those things

elf. How could she think of that? The poor woman wanted to earn a peseta for her children. He must pick u

oman. All right, let the one-eyed one remain, and let what God willed happen. And crossing the patio with his ba

o the care with which the papers [Pg 175]reproduced the gestures and divers positions of the great man. Above the doorway was a portrait of Carmen in a white mantilla, which made her eyes appear darker than ever, with a bunch of carnations fastened in her black hair. On the opposite wall, above the arm-chair by the writing bureau, was the enormous head of a black bull, with glassy eyes, highly varnish

e, the ink bottles ornamented by two metal horses, were clean and empty; the handsome pen tray, supported by dogs' heads, was also empty, the great man had no occasion to write, for Don José

k, through the never-opened glass doors of which could be seen imposing row

to this distinction, educating himself so that his rich friends should not laugh at his ignorance, as

housand pesetas'

wildered, as if he did not understand

e biggest books, and if you have no

. When anything was spoken of at the club which he did

ne of the books I

with flowing manes and fiery eyes, donkeys striped in colours, regular as if done by rule.... The torero turned them all over carelessly, till his eyes fell on the painted rings of a snake. Ugh! The beast! The nasty beast! And he closed convulsively the two middle fingers of his hand, throwing out the index and little finger like horns, to exorci

tador to approach him, when, not deceived by the red cloth, he struck underneath it directly at the man's body. The rapiers were sent flying through the air by his charges without ever succeeding in wounding him. The populace became impatient, whistling at and insulting the torero. The latter came behind the bull, following his every movement from one side of the Plaza to the other, knowing full well that if he stood straight and square b

he went up to dress the women had disappeared. Ay! how they hated that brilliant costume, kep

me down, Carmen's attempts at fortitude, accompanying him as far as the door, the wondering curiosity of the litt

the gibbet! Good-bye for the present.

lf through the friends and neighbours assembled in

e they were obliged to resign themselves patiently to wait for the evening telegram. Here, the danger being close at

s happening. After every bull that Juan killed he would send some urchin with news. All the same he was furious at the incivility

y other; drawn from the Guadalquivir it was a bright yellow, like pulverized ochre. The architecture of the buildings, too, had a certain influence over him, some built in Roman style, others again Moorish, but the Plaza of Seville was like a cathedral full of[Pg 179] memories. There the glorious inventors of different strokes had brought their art to perfection; the school of Ronda with

and boldness. Never had he been in such form. Don José, after each one of his splendid strokes, stood up shouting, chal

econd bull in front of the box, where the blue bodice with the white mantilla

ped, took off his montera, and offered the bull as homage to the Marquis' niece. Many people smiled maliciously. "Olé! the lad has good luck." He gave a hal

when he defied danger. Every pass from his muleta drew forth exclamations of enthusiasm and cries of anxiety. The horn seemed to graze his chest; it seemed impossible that blood should not flow after the bull's attacks. Su

rapier scarcely visible on the crest of its bloody neck. After a few steps it fell, the spectators rose to their feet as one man and a hail of appl

th the rapier and muleta in either hand, while the whi

as the lady's handkerchief, the one which she had held in her hand, a small scented square of lawn and l

l, many turning their backs on the circus to look at her, and extolling her beauty with the familiarity of Andalusian gallantry. Then a small hairy

ll over the town, and when the espada returned to his house half the neighbou

the nobility than for his exploits in the bull-ring. He had his eyes fixed on a certain appointment, and he m

s, Encarnacion, what a present!

Carmen only pursed up her lips on seeing it. "Yes, it is very pretty," and s

ar. After the corridas in Madrid, he was to fight in every Plaza in Spain. His manager was nearly dist

ts overwhelmed him, tremors nearly akin to fear, such as he had never known in his early days, when he was only beginning to make his name; but as s

g

it down perspiring, wearied with the pleasant fatigue of triumph, and before he could change his gala dress, all the wiseacres in the lo

with almost childish pride.

ccording to bull-fighting discipline, listened silently to all this babel of talk at the further end of the room. As long as the master had not given his permission, his "lads" could neither undress nor sup. The picadors, fatigued by the iron armour on their legs and the terrible bruises resulti

se tiresome idiots leav

pushing each other like school boys let loose, while the maestro continued listeni

his thoughts towards[Pg 183] Seville. Now and then one of those short little perfumed no

sadness to El Nacional with that irresistible impulse of conf

nd of reflected tenderness. Sebastian knew of his loves with Do?a Sol; he had seen her, thoug

is master's confiden

e brought home any day feet foremost. See! Carmen knows a great deal more than you think. She is perfectly acquainted with everything, and she has even questioned me indirect

em to understand the dangers of which El Nacional spoke, and shrugged his shoulders at these sentimental scrup

knew her as I do, gacho! Women of our class reek of health and clean linen, but this one!... Sebastian, this one!... Picture to yourself all the roses in the gardens of the Alcazar-No, something better still-jasmine, honeysuckle, all the bewildering perfumes of the gardens of Paradise, and those sweet scents seem to belong to her, not as if she put them o

The beautiful woman was staying in Biarritz and she came over with some French ladies who wished to know the torero. After that

had gone to England, then to Germany, and

gained both over himself and his will. Never to see her again! Why then should he

r mad caprices, was a very practical woman, and knew how to look after what belonged to her. She needed her uncle's assistance to dis

a good many corridas for the autumn, but he wanted to take advantage of a

en one day his manager announced

irst few words felt intimidated by her cold

tain surprise at his rough exterior, at the difference between

them. He looked at her as though she were another

and Gallardo did not dare to remind her of it, nor to make t

more in the world! I warn you. Gallardo, that some day I shall take flight for

ing his visits to make the[Pg 186] slightest allusion to the past. He confine

all go away," she exclaime

torero at the wicket and tell him the Se?ora was ou

f La Rinconada. He wanted to see some olive yards his manager had bought for him during

lardo's family spent the greater part of the year! To enter with the startling scandal of irregularity an

er. She also would go. The idea of

ably tell his family of this trip, but Do?a Sol's glance beat down all his scruples. W

hed to oppose one o

cording to what I hear, he is

ce, darkened by boredom, seemed

be so delighted if you

7] going alone, but Do?a Sol's company obliged him to

would turn and bite him. There would be no need to give him any explanations, only wine in abundance. Alcohol and his atrocious falls in the are

ccompany them, he would be one m

dination, but he grumbled when he

ly mixing himself up in such ugly doings!... What will Carmen a

ed by the side of Potaje, in front of the espada an

ich covered her travelling cap, and falling over her yellow silk coat; b

f his twenty-five years of conjugal fidelity, forgave his

in a like situation he

, capable of infusing respectabili

TNO

inutive

Littl

ghs with a hot iron. An operation which

a religious ceremony in the Cathedr

The w

The s

n as "hitting below the