234 SPOKT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



battered sombrero, and the ground bore marks of 

 more tban one fall which the fellow had sustained in 

 his endeavours to carry off the brute. This vigorous 

 defence caused the pony to rise a hundred per cent. 

 in the appreciation of the party. 



The consequence of this misfortune was to compel 

 us to await the return of the messenger whom 

 we sent to the nearest "hacienda," with orders to 

 purchase the animals necessary to supply the dis- 

 mounted cavalry. We did this with some anxiety, 

 because, although we were sure to find horses of 

 some kind, much depends in similar expeditions 

 upon the quality of your mount, and I certainly 

 regretted the noble animal of whose services I had 

 been deprived. 



When the detachment arrived and I was intro- 

 duced to the animal which had been destined for 

 me, I was agreeably surprised at finding him a very 

 handsome creature, and full of fire and vigour; 

 although my joy was speedily and considerably 

 mitigated b}^ the discovery that he had never before 

 been mounted. What could I do with an untamed 

 mustang ; a creature as strong as a bufi"alo, it is true, 

 but as wild as a catamount ? My companions made 

 merry at my embarrassment, and advised me to give 

 a few dollars to one of the Mexican guides to change 

 horses for a day or two, during which he would be 

 sure to render my new acquisition as pliable as a 

 glove. 



