204 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



sufficient to have broken liis neck, the horseman 

 having, the moment the lasso was thrown, turned 

 round, and braced himself for the shock. The 

 captured horse now began to rear and plunge furi- 

 ously to effect his escape. After becoming somewhat 

 worn out, he was suffered to run, and again suddenly 

 checked. This was repeated several times, when 

 another plan was adopted. The dogs were set on 

 him, and off he went at full run in the direction of 

 another horseman, who threw the lasso to entangle 

 his legs, and precipitate him to the ground. The 

 dogs again roused him, when he again started, and 

 was in like manner brought to a stand ; after several 

 trials he became completely exhausted and subdued, 

 when he stood perfectly still, and allowed his captors 

 to lay hands upon him. The shouts of the men, the 

 barking of the dogs, and the scampering of the 

 horses, made the whole scene quite exciting.' 



The following account is given by Mr. Darwin of 

 the method of horse-breaking used by the Guachos 

 of Chili and adjoining countries of South America : 



' A troop of young horses is driven into the corral, 

 or large enclosure of stakes, and the door is shut. 

 We will suppose that one man alone has to catch and 

 mount a horse which as yet had never felt bridle or 

 saddle. I conceive, except by a Guacho, such a feat 

 would be utterly impracticable. The Guacho picks 

 out a full-grown colt, and, as the beast rushes round 

 the circus, he throws his lasso so as to catch both the 



