THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER". 213 



Here the whole took place in the open air, and re- 

 sembled rather the catastrophe of a grand field-sport 

 than a deliberate slaughter. On a level space of 

 ground before the corral were ranged, in a line, four 

 or five Gauchos on horseback, with their lassos all 

 ready in their hands, and opposite them another set of 

 men, similarly equipped, so as to form a wide lane, 

 extending from the gate of the corral to the distance 

 of thirty or forty yards. When all was prepared, 

 the leader of the Gauchos drew out the bars closing 

 the entrance to the corral, and, riding in, separated 

 one from the drove, which he goaded till it escaped 

 at the opening. The reluctance of the cattle to quit 

 the corral was evident, but when at length forced to 

 do so, they dashed forward with the utmost impetu- 

 osity. It is said, that in this country even the wild- 

 est animals have an instinctive horror of the lasso ; 

 those in a domestic state certainly have, and betray 

 fear whenever they see it. Be this as it may, the 

 moment they pass the gate, they spring forward at 

 full speed with all the appearance of terror. But 

 were they to go ten times faster, it would avail them 

 nothing against the irresistible lasso, which, in the 

 midst of dust and a confusion seemingly inextricable, 

 is placed by the Gauchos, with the most perfect cor- 

 rectness, over the parts aimed at. There cannot be con~ 



