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would like to take a look at the bulls before the fight began； and we were
at once led to the bull pen where； behind a high railing； six enormous
black bulls were tramping around wildly。
In a few hurried words and signs the Doctor told the bulls what he was
going to do and gave them careful instructions for their part of the show。
The poor creatures were tremendously glad when they heard that there
was a chance of bullfighting being stopped； and they promised to do
exactly as they were told。
Of course the man who took us in there didn't understand what we
were doing。 He merely thought the fat Englishman was crazy when he saw
the Doctor making signs and talking in ox tongue。
From there the Doctor went to the matadors' dressing…rooms while
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Bumpo and I with Polynesia made our way into the bull…ring and took our
seats in the great open…air theatre。
It was a very gay sight。 Thousands of ladies and gentlemen were there；
all dressed in their smartest clothes； and everybody seemed very happy
and cheerful。
Right at the beginning Don Enrique got up and explained to the people
that the first item on the program was to be a match between the English
Doctor and Pepito de Malaga。 He told them what he had promised if the
Doctor should win。 But the people did not seem to think there was much
chance of that。 A roar of laughter went up at the very mention of such a
thing。
When Pepito came into the ring everybody cheered； the ladies blew
kisses and the men clapped and waved their hats。
Presently a large door on the other side of the ring was rolled back and
in galloped one of the bulls； then the door was closed again。 At once the
matador became very much on the alert。 He waved his red cloak and the
bull rushed at him。 Pepito stepped nimbly aside and the people cheered
again。
This game was repeated several times。 But I noticed that whenever
Pepito got into a tight place and seemed to be in real danger from the bull；
an assistant of his； who always hung around somewhere near； drew the
bull's attention upon himself by waving another red cloak。 Then the bull
would chase the assistant and Pepito was left in safety。 Most often； as soon
as he had drawn the bull off； this assistant ran for the high fence and
vaulted out of the ring to save himself。 They evidently had it all arranged；
these matadors； and it didn't seem to me that they were in any very great
danger from the poor clumsy bull so long as they didn't slip and fall。
After about ten minutes of this kind of thing the small door into the
matadors' dressing…room opened and the Doctor strolled into the ring。 As
soon as his fat figure； dressed In sky…blue velvet； appeared； the crowd
rocked in their seats with laughter。
Juan Hagapoco； as they had called him； walked out into the centre of
the ring and bowed ceremoniously to the ladies in the boxes。 Then he
bowed to the bull。 Then he bowed to Pepito。 While he was bowing to
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THE VOYAGES OF DOCTOR DOOLITTLE
Pepito's assistant the bull started to rush at him from behind。
〃Look out！ Look out！The bull！ You will be killed！〃 yelled the crowd。
But the Doctor calmly finished his bow。 Then turning round he folded
his arms； fixed the on…rushing bull with his eye and frowned a terrible
frown。
Presently a curious thing happened： the bull's speed got slower and
slower。 It almost looked as though he were afraid of that frown。 Soon he
stopped altogether。 The Doctor shook his finger at him。 He began to
tremble。 At last； tucking his tail between his legs； the bull turned round
and ran away。
The crowd gasped。 The Doctor ran after him。 Round and round the
ring they went； both of them puffing and blowing like grampuses。 Excited
whispers began to break out among the people。 This was something new
in bullfighting； to have the bull running away from the man； instead of the
man away from the bull。 At last in the tenth lap； with a final burst of speed；
Juan Hagapoco； the English matador； caught the poor bull by the tail。
Then leading the now timid creature into the middle of the ring； the
Doctor made him do all manner of tricks： standing on the hind legs；
standing on the front legs； dancing； hopping； rolling over。 He finished up
by making the bull kneel down； then he got on to his back and did
handsprings and other acrobatics on the beast's horns。
Pepito and his assistant had their noses sadly out of joint。 The crowd
had forgotten them entirely。 They were standing together by the fence not
far from where I sat； muttering to one another and slowly growing green
with jealousy。
Finally the Doctor turned towards Don Enrique's seat and bowing said
in a loud voice； 〃This bull is no good any more。 He's terrified and out of
breath。 Take him away； please。〃
〃Does the caballero wish for a fresh bull？〃 asked Don Enrique。
〃No；〃 said the Doctor； 〃I want five fresh bulls。 And I would like them
all in the ring at once； please。〃
At this a cry of horror burst from the people。 They had been used to
seeing matadors escaping from one bull at a time。 But FIVE！That must
mean certain death。
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Pepito sprang forward and called to Don Enrique not to allow it；
saying it was against all the rules of bullfighting。 （〃Ha！〃 Polynesia
chuckled into my ear。 〃It's like the Doctor's navigation： he breaks all the
rules； but he gets there。 If they'll only let him； he'll give them the best
show for their money they ever saw。〃） A great argument began。 Half the
people seemed to be on Pepito's side and half on the Doctor's side。 At last
the Doctor turned to Pepito and made another very grand bow which burst
the last button off his waistcoat。
〃Well； of course if the caballero is afraid〃 he began with a bland
smile。
〃Afraid！〃 screamed Pepito。 〃I am afraid of nothing on earth。 I am the
greatest matador in Spain。 With this right hand I have killed nine hundred
and fifty…seven bulls。〃
〃All right t