DAWN AND THE DONS 130
ments in the open in the form of fiestas, picnics, rodeos, barbecues, horse racing and dancing. Reminiscent of far-off Spain, Monterey had her Plaza de Toros, amming the old world sport by substituting a grizzly bear for the matador, a combination which afforded more excitement to the audience, and was just as destructive to the bull. In the scale of social entertainments, the fandango, or general dance, ranked second only to the rodeo. It was of such frequent occurrence that Spanish Monterey seemed to spend all its time riding horseback and dancing. The dance-floor was laid in some sheltered spot out of doors, and at night was lighted by great knots of pitch-pine fastened to the tops of slender poles. Seats placed around the floor were occupied by the senoritas, while their duenas huddled at their feet, or stood behind
them.
Spaniards of all ranks walked about or engaged
in conversation until the music began.
First came low, enticing strains, then as the sensuous melody increased, the dancers gathered on the floor in the circle illuminated by the torches. How fragrant with youth and love was such a gather-
ing, where beauty and symmetry of form, with rythmic grace and harmony of sound combined with a perfect evening in a brilliant setting! Where the salt air was tinged with the odor of burning resin from the torches!
Where the ceaseless flow of the surf mingled its bass with the measures of the instruments! Where stars
sparkled through a film of mist! And where an intoxi-
