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NARRATIVE OF A 



of the lazo, or noose, throwing it over the neck or legs of 

 the animal, and then pulling him to the ground, when the 

 heated iron was applied to his quivering haunch. I 

 afterwards had an opportunity of seeing the lazo used 

 in the open fields, where the horse had fair play, and often 

 led his pursuer a long chase before he was taken. A half- 

 naked young Indian, with spurs on his bare feet, and the 

 lazo in his hand was mounted on a swift horse, and hav- 

 ing singled out his beast, rode into the midst of the drove 

 to catch him. The skill he displayed in this operation, 

 and his bold and graceful manner as a rider, while 

 careering about the field, afforded a sight of no little in- 

 terest and excitement. 



The estates in this part of the country are chiefly de- 

 voted to the raising of cattle and breeding of horses, for 

 which every facility is afforded by the vast extent of the 

 pasture lands. In fact, we could see whole herds graz- 

 ing in the plains around ; and as Don Joaquin pointed to 

 them, he expressed his fears lest some of Carrera's people, 

 when in want of horses, should pay him a visit, and 

 supply themselves at his expense. So cheap are horses 

 there, that for twelve or fifteen dollars I might have se- 

 lected one out of a hundred. The price of oxen is in 

 the same proportion. That of horses seems to depend 

 upon their training, for as soon as they have learned 

 to pace and amble, they are estimated at five or six 

 times the original value. 



Having taken leave of Don Joaquin, we proceeded 

 on our way through vast fertile plains, which still af- 

 forded good pasture, though it had not rained for some 

 time ; this being the dry season. We passed through 

 numerous herds of cattle and horses, and at one place ran 

 the risk of being attacked by a couple of bulls, who were 

 disputing the mastery of the field in a fierce fight just on 

 the borders of the road. Their horns were interlocked, 

 and they were struggling and bellowing tremendously ; 

 but on our approaching them, they suspended their con- 



