CAPTURING THE WILD HORSE. 81 



Both the Mexicans and Californians are ver}^ expert 

 in the use of these ropes ; nor is this wonderful, for 

 from infanc}^ they are brought up with a rope in their 

 hands. At first it is a mere string, but with their years 

 it is increased in size. At first the child is content 

 to lasso ducks and fowls; when older, he encircles 

 the goats' horns or the pigs' throats with his string 

 till, by degrees, he is at last able to lasso a wild bull 

 or a wild horse. 



To catch a wild horse the hunter has to approach the 

 herd not less cautiously than he would draw near any 

 other game. He rides against the wind towards the 

 herd, taking advantage of every inequality in the 

 ground ; nor does he fail to throw himself alongside his 

 horse if he finds himself detected by the wild horses, 

 thus making his steed appear riderless. 



When he has gained such a position as he wishes, he 

 rushes at the herd at the top speed of his horse, and 

 when within reach of his victim, he whirls the lasso 

 round his head, and launches it at the quarry. As soon 

 as the rope encircles the neck of the horse it soon 

 renders itself helpless by choking, in its frantic 

 struggles to get loose. His captor imuiediately puts 

 his saddle and bridle upon his new acquisition, girthing 

 him till he nearly cuts him in two, and allowing the 

 horse to spring to his legs, as instantaneously he gains the 

 saddle. Vain are the struggles of the horse to unseat 

 his rider. He might as well try to cast his skin, for 



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