CHAPTER XVIII.
THE BULL FIGHT.
It was one o’clock in the afternoon, and the fights began at three. When they reached the square it seemed that everybody was moving toward the circus, which was located in the suburb of Salamanca, beyond the Prado, outside the gate of Alcala.
The professor was astonished to see fine gentlemen and ladies on their way to the circus, but he was still more astonished to see fathers and mothers taking their children there.
That it was the greatest of all great holidays in Spain was evident by the appearance and conversation of the people. Everybody was smiling and laughing, bowing to friends and acquaintances, calling to each other and seeming very happy indeed.
This feeling of gayety communicated itself to the boys. Frank and Ephraim joked with each other; they jollied the professor, but his face remained grave and unyielding.
It was a long walk, but the suburb was finally reached, and they approached the circus, where an enormous crowd had gathered before the doors.
“Good gracious!” exclaimed Professor Scotch. “Has the entire city of Madrid gone insane? See them sway and push! See them beat each other with their hands! Hear them shout!”
“It must be a great show, or it would not excite them in this manner, eh, professor?”
“If it were not for their magnificent cathedrals, their palaces, and their wonderful paintings, I should say they were still an uncivilized people,” growled the little man. “Is it possible that we must crush ourselves through with this howling mob?”
“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Frank, who was in a merry mood. “It is plain that you have never attended a Thanksgiving football game in New York, professor.”