A POOR LOT 127 



the Mexican tree, and his saddle is loaded down with an 

 abundance of cheap plunder. His seat is the same as the 

 Mexican gentleman's — forked, with toe stuclc far out to 

 the front, and balancing in the saddle. He is supposed to 

 be a famous rider, and is a very good one. He breaks his 

 own ponies, which sufficiently proves his case. He likes 

 to show off, in the true style of the Latin nations and 

 their offshoots, and will often ride a half -busted bronco 

 with his feet stuck out parade fashion, much as a Yankee 

 boy would carry a chip on his shoulder on tlie school- 

 ground ; but in breaking in his pony he gripes with thigh 

 and knee and calf and heels besides, as any rider perforce 

 must. 



The Mexican cow- ponies are proverbially tough and 

 serviceable ; but the vaquero has to turn in most of his 

 good -sized ponies, and is apt to be seen on a rackabones 

 of undersized or old stock, or on a mare with a foal at 

 foot. His gait is the lope, with an occasional fox- trot, 

 and he uses his quirt as constantly as an American Indian. 

 No savage can be more cruel to his pony than a vaquero, 

 or pay less heed to his welfare. Averaging the vaquero 

 of Northern Mexico, one American cowboy is worth half 

 a dozen of him to work ; and, though he is used to Apache 

 raids, worth more than a gross of him to figlit. In view 

 of the origin of both these cow-punchers, this is not a sin- 

 gular fact. 



And yet it is strange that the vaquero should bear so ill 

 a reputation. Let us not be unjust. No doubt there are 

 good vaqueros ; but are they, like the good Indian, all 

 with the " great majority ?" I trow not. Give a dog a 

 bad name, and — Well, the vaquero has the bad name ; 

 let us hope that he has not quite earned it. Even Judas 

 Iscariot has had learned defenders, and an excellent tech- 

 nfcal case can be made out for him. Shall the vaquero 



