RIDING THE BULL 



from rendering assistance. One even went so far as to 

 raise the goat skin skirt of one fair damsel to observe 

 more closely the line of her limbs. 



Finally two were left and then ensued a heated discus- 

 sion as to the comparative merits of their respective 

 charms. One was coy and modestly demure — too shy for 

 words — and the other was full of prepossession, fully 

 conscious of her beauty. It was a problem which was 

 obviously too difficult for the warriors to decide. In 

 other words, as far as the girls were concerned, it was a 

 dead heat. It was here that my American friend came to 

 the rescue and promised a duplicate necklace of their 

 favourite beads for the second damsel. When this news 

 was broadcasted there was great excitement and all agreed 

 that this was a splendid idea. I later heard that they were 

 both betrothed on the following day. 



All this time the young bull was becoming more and 

 more restive. The corral was only a temporary contriv- 

 ance and an extra butt was too much for it. Suddenly it 

 gave way, and the next moment the impatient steer was 

 running amok, driving the crowd in every direction. 

 Quick as lightning the Moran of the day sprinted in his 

 direction. Rodeo wasn't in it. With a terrific leap he 

 sprang on the neck of the beast, grasping its horns in his 

 hands and rode it to earth. That scene will always live in 

 my memory as one of the finest competitions between 

 man and beast that it has ever been my privilege to wit- 

 ness. 



This was the signal for the great dance to begin. First 



37 



