2-888-161 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Bull-Fight at Madrid - Accident to Montes, the Matador, 1850. 'Montes, looking his enemy full in the face, waved his flag, and...waltzed up to his horns [and] shook the flag in the bull's face; but despite the confusion of fireworks and the noise of the spectators, this bull still knew the difference between a flag and a man. He aimed directly at the body, made a spring, and in an instant Montes was under his feet. The chulos ran forward, shook their flags-but in vain; the bull had already transfixed the calf of Montes, whose leg he was furiously shaking in the air; already he had withdrawn his horn to make another thrust, when the young chichanero rushed forward, faced the bull, and without waiting for position, just touched the beast with the point of his sword on the nape of his neck; and it was no more...After this five other bulls were murdered with the same refinement of cruelty...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.