212 COSTUME AND TRAPPINGS OF 



same matepals. As suspenders do not form 

 a component part of a regular Mexican cos- 

 tume, the nether garment is supported by a 

 rich sash which is drawn very tightly around 

 the body, and contributes materially to ren- 

 der tlie whole appearance of the cabaUero 

 extremely picturesque. Then there are the 

 hotas which som'(^vhat resemble the leggins 

 worn by the bandits of Italy, and are mnde of 

 embossed leather, embroidered with fancy- 

 silk and thisel thread and bound around 

 the knee with curiously tassetled garters. 

 The sarape saltillero (a fancy blanket) com- 



pletes the 



ly useful 



well as ornamental garment is commonly 

 carried danghng carelessly across the pom- 

 mel of the saddle, except in bad weather, 

 when it is drawn over the shoulders, after 

 the manner of a Spanish cloak, or as is 

 more frequently the case, the rider puts his 

 head through a sht in the middle, and by let- 

 ting it hang loosely from the neck, his whole 

 person is thus effectually protected. 

 ^ The steed of the caballero is caparisoned 

 m the same pompous manner, tlie whole of 

 the saddle trappings wcighmg sometimes over 

 hundred pounds. First of all we have the 



high pommel of the saddle-tiec crowned with 

 Sliver, and the 'hinder tree' garnished with 

 the same, and a quilted cusliion adjusted to 

 the seat The comza is a cover of embossed 

 leather embroidered with fancy silk and tinsel, 

 With ornaments of silver, and is thrown loose 

 over the cushion and fuste or saddle-tree, the 



I 



