234 FIKST BKEAKIMMN Book II. 
on their backs. The waggons are drawn up, so as to 
form three-fourths of a circle, whilst the space left open 
is the entrance to the court-yard of this encampment. In 
the intervals between them the waggons are connected by 
a cord tied from wheel to wheel. The mules are driven 
into the court, when the entrance is also closed by a cord 
drawn across it. Two men, armed with whips, are placed 
at this entrance, in order to drive back any of the mules 
which may attempt to leap over the cord or creep under it. 
The Mexicans call this waggon-encampment, which serves 
both for catching the animals and as a place of protection 
against the Indians, a "corral" — a word which signifies 
any yard or enclosed place where cattle are kept. The 
Anglo-Americans have changed the word into " carrel." 
The reader may picture to himself two to three hundred 
wild mules crowded together in this space, with ten to 
fifteen men among them, each endeavouring to fling the 
laso over the heads of the animals, one after another, to 
force the bit into their mouths, and to lead each to its 
place before the waggon to which it has to be harnessed. 
In a caravan of twenty to thirty waggons, this first attempt 
occupies the greater part of a day, leaving no time to get 
the waggons in motion. The mules well know the laso, 
and strive to escape it in every way possible : they crowd 
closely together, first on one side then on another of the 
corral, their heads turned to the centre, and hidden as 
much as possible ; others thrust their heads under the 
waggons or between the wheels, to prevent the laso 
reaching their necks ; while, again, others are even more 
cunning: they stand stock-still, as if they were actually 
holding their necks patiently for the noose ; but the expres- 
sion of their eye, fixedly watching at the same time the 
man with the laso, betrays their cunning. The man now 
