An Ear for an Ear

Antonio Velazquez is a rarity among Mexican bullfighters. He began his career as a banderillero, became one of the best in the business, and then made the unusual transition to matador. His dramatic, risky style earned him frequent gorings, but won him little fame until one day in 1947 when he publicly announced his intention to shake off mediocrity or die, then fought so bravely that he was awarded the ears and tails of his bulls. After that the rewards of bullring success came quickly. He had money in the bank, flashy cars, a portfolio of apartment-house investments and the close friendship of some of Hollywood's most famed and beautiful matador collectors.

One day last week, as senior matador, Velazquez led the parade of bullfighters into the arena for a program of fights at the San Marcos fiesta in Aguascalientes. From the start of his first fight he showed cool mastery, although his bull was a big, sly, unpredictable animal. But suddenly, as Velazquez was performing a high chest pass, the bull thrust his horns upwards, snagged Velazquez' left ear and tore it loose. Other matadors and handlers dashed into the ring, distracted the bull and dragged Velazquez away bleeding. But when doctors tried to patch the wound, Velazquez shook them off and went back into the ring, his ear dangling grotesquely. Not until he made a few more swift passes and dispatched the bull with his sword did he consent to go to the infirmary.

The doctors decided that they could save the ear. With eight neat stitches they sewed it back, taped it to the side of Velazquez' head and gave him penicillin and anti-tetanus injections. Then, reluctantly, they watched him march back to the ring. With vengeance in his eye and blood bespattering his "suit of lights," he faced his second bull. Taking quick control, he played the bull with daring passes that brought the crowd to its feet chanting oles. Then, in a sudden hush, he killed the bull cleanly with a single thrust. As the bull dropped to its knees, the crowd shouted approval. Hurriedly consulting, the judges ruled that Velazquez should receive a fair trophy: one ear.

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