28 TAMING HOESES. 



gentling "wild liorses in a few hours, I had already 

 been informed, (from several respectable gentlemen, 

 who had been eye-witnesses to the same in the city 

 of Mexico,) arrived in this city on the 20th of the 

 present montli. I immediately sent for him, offer- 

 ing him a handsome gratification to give us a 

 proof of his ability. He verified the same by put- 

 ting it in practice on the 27th, at the mine of Rayas, 

 with a wild colt, chosen on purpose from among 

 the wildest and fiercest of a party of forty of 

 them, which had just arrived there to be gentled 

 for the service of the said mine, in one of the sta- 

 bles of which he began the operation at three 

 quarters past ten in the forenoon : and myself, as 

 well as several other spectators of this performance, 

 were struck with amazement at beholding this 

 horse at two o'clock so gentle, that after having 

 been led around in every direction by the halter, 

 suffered himself to be rode both by men and boys, 

 as well bare-backed as saddled, tightly girted and 

 cruppered — permitting them to get upon him on 

 either side. After a short time, being let loose, he 

 followed any one who went before and motioned 

 to him with gentleness, without pulling him by the 

 halter — proceeding to where several persons were 

 standing without showing any signs of fear at 

 coming up to them, and passing in the midst of 

 them, permitting any one to lift up his feet and 



