LASSOING CATTLE. 71 



cover of the forest, there to wait until the morninsr 

 became light enough for our enterprise. 



3Iy companions sat like statues upon their horses, 

 as they were to be employed in the run ; but I, who 

 intended to watch my companions, judging pretty well 

 that, in the confusion of the charge, some of the cattle 

 would be nearly certain to run within shot, preferred 

 to hunt on foot, and, therefore, secured my horse in 

 a doo^-wood thicket. When it was lio:ht enouofh, I 

 followed the others on foot until they got opposite the 

 herd, who, feeding in gradually towards the forest, 

 were now about four hundred yards distant on the 

 prairie. . 



' VamoSf hombres, vanios I' shouted Lonus, and 

 with the word the three horsemen rushed at the herd. 

 The lassoes whirled rapidly round their heads, as each, 

 selecting a victim, singled it out for a cast of his rope. 

 Lonus had chosen a good-sized cow, and in his hurry, 

 just as he was about to make his cast, failed to notice 

 a stout pedan tree, which stood alone upon the prairie. 

 At the very instant when his rope encircled the horns 

 of the quarry, his horse ran upon one side of the tree, 

 and the cow on the other. Down came pursued and 

 pursuer in a cloud of dust upon the prairie ; for as the 

 tree caught the rope and shortened it, the good steed 

 had no time to brace himself for the jerk whicli 

 inevitably comes when the quarry tightens the rough 

 raw hide. At this moment each of the Mexicans had 



