HORSE-TAMING AND BREAKING 203 



mare to break away that site would best defend her 

 offspring, slipped the halter from her head, when she 

 attacked the enemy with such fury that she beat him 

 off and saved her foal from the jaws of destruction. 



The wild horses of America, both North and 

 South, are descended from those imported by the 

 first Spanish settlers on the continent. Having en- 

 joyed freedom for generations, they are exceedingly 

 wild, and fly from the sight of man ; but, being fine 

 animals and very hardy, they are much sought after, 

 and, when caught, soon become docile. These wild 

 horses are found in Mexico and the southern of the 

 United States, as well as in Chili, Peru, and the vast 

 plains of Paraguay and Patagonia, the reputed land 

 of giants. 



In Chili the wild horses are captured and broken 

 in the following manner : 



'A party of four or five horsemen, with about 

 twenty dogs, were seen formed in an extended cres- 

 cent, driving the wild horses towards the river with 

 shouts. All were armed with the lasso, which was 

 swinging over their heads to be in readiness to entrap 

 the first that attempted to break through the gra- 

 dually contracting segment ; the dogs serving with 

 the riders to head the horses in. They continued to 

 advance, when suddenly a horse with furious speed 

 broke the line, passing near one of the horsemen, and 

 for a moment it was thought he had escaped ; the 

 next he was jerked round with a force that seemed 



