USE OF THE LAZO. 185 



each with his rope to the horns, will thus sub- 

 ject the wildest and most savage bull, pro- 

 vided they are mounted upon well-trained 

 steeds. Wliile the infuriated animal makes a 

 lunge at one of his pursuers, the other wheels 

 round and pulls upon his rope, which always 

 brings the beast about in the midst of his ca- 

 reer ; so that between the two he is jerked to 

 and fro till he becomes exhausted and ceases 

 to make any further resistance. The use of 

 the lazo is not confined to the arrieros and vaque- 

 Tos, although these generally acquire most skill 

 in tliat exercise: it prevails in every rank 

 of hfe ; and no man, especially among the 

 rancheros, would consider his education com- 

 plete until he had learned this national ac- 

 complishment They acquire it in fact from 

 infancy ; for it forms one of the principal ru- 

 ral sports of children, who may daily be seen 

 with their lazitos, noosing the dogs and chick- 

 ens about the yards, in every direction. 



The lazo is often employed also as a 'wea- 

 pon* both offensive and defensive. In skir- 

 inisheswith the Indians, the mounted vaquero, 

 if haplessly ^\ithout arms, will tln-ow this for- 

 niidable object round the neck or the body of 

 his enemy, who, before he has time to disen- 

 cumber himself, is jerked to the ground and 

 <iragged away at full speed; when, if his 

 brains are not beaten out against the stones, 

 roots, or trees, he becomes at least so stunned 

 and disabled that the lazador can dispatch hun 

 at his leisure. The panther, the bear, and 

 other ferocious animals of the mountains and 



16* 



