# Pictures of life in Mexico/Volume 2/Chapter 30

Contents
CHAPTER XXX.
WILD-CATTLE HUNTERS.
The use of the lasso in many parts of Mexico has almost become a science so dexterous are the people in its management and so unfailing generally is their aim. The wild-cattle hunters of the prairies have only to come within hailing distance of a herd to select the finest and the best and to consider them as certainly their prey as if their hides were already laid on the backs of their horses, and their fat melted into barrels for sale. These hunters often proceed in large parties; and; in this manner, vast numbers of cattle ​are captured—many hundreds being often destroyed during a single expedition. Sometimes small bands of these herd despoilers will issue forth, while, not unfrequently, one or two hunters set out alone, to do a little business on their own account; none favouring them with any commands in the matter, and none, on the other hand, participating in their gains.
There is nothing so mysterious about this art of lassoing, however, as has been occasionally represented. The requisite skill and delicacy (for there is actual delicacy of handling in it) have to be acquired by slow degrees and continual practice; many a mortifying mistake, caused by too great quickness or too much deliberation, has to be endured by the tyro; and in this profession, as in every other, there are some who are never destined to shine.
The life passed by' these hunters is a wild and singular one: oftentimes shut out by vast tracts of country from the comforts of home, and everything approaching the refinements of civilization, it is as "rough and ready" an existence as can well be imagined. Trusting most frequently, as they do, to the issue ​of their day's adventures for the supply of their daily food brisk exercise and free air combine to give them most voracious appetites; and they are not very nice in their mode of gratifying them—a huge steak or joint from a recently slain ox, broiled with the hide upon it, upon an impromptu wood and earthen fire, affording them a ready and substantial meal. Sometimes a little maize, or hard tortilla cake, is added to this; but more commonly is it partaken of without any such accompaniments. The bare and rugged earth supplies them with an ample couch, upon which they sleep undisturbed by dreams or nightmare—unless it happen that the wolves in the neighbourhood are unusually bold and hungry; while their only covering is the canopy of heaven—unless there be a tree, or grove of trees, in the vicinity: not a very usual occurrence there.
The wild-cattle themselves are a shaggy set of independent, impulsive, roving blades. There is something absolutely comical in the mixture of innocence and suspicion, of fierceness and vacancy, observable in their countenances. They are sociable together, too, and fair in their conduct to one another; each ​keeping to his particular knoll of herbage—when it is in plenty—without molesting his neighbour. When grass grows scarce however fierce looks are often exchanged, eyes glare, horns are lowered, tails are elevated, bellowings rend the air, stubborn hides are pierced, and blood flows upon the ground. These bisons are of smaller size than those which roam the prairies of more northerly America: they have somewhat lean bodies short horns squat faces long tails and a prodigious quantity of hair upon their shoulders.
Their most formidable enemies after the hunters, are the wolves so common in Mexico. These fierce but cowardly beasts are of medium size, and of a peculiar reddish shade of colour, they frequently follow herds of cattle in immense gang's, for days together, running to the right and left, and howling,—only awaiting an opportunity to rush upon them in an unguarded moment. It is an impressive spectacle in the prairies, especially in the silence of night, after listening to the confused tramp of many feet in the distance, interspersed with bellowing roars and savage jells, to behold the dark forms of a herd of cattle advancing at slow ​and measured pace with a troop of their adversaries following stealthily and sulkily close behind, eager for the slaughter but half afraid to commence the attack. The wild cattle however have a bold and intelligent manner of defending themselves from the assault of their obstreperous foes. On the alarm of their near advance they quickly form themselves into a circular or oval phalanx; presenting their fronts, bristling with horns, in every direction to the invaders. It has been said also; that in these arrangements the aged and incapable are placed in the centre for protection. However this may be the foremost of the assailants are sure of encountering a very sharp reception, for the cattle catch them dexterously on their horns and toss them maimed or killed outright into the air. But the unequal engagement cannot last long; for while the wolves are receiving the reward of their presumption, a number of undefended points are unavoidably exposed in the hitherto impenetrable host. These inlets are speedily taken advantage of by other wolves, who fasten upon the sides and limbs of their victims, and are not to be shaken off. The result usually is, that a goodly number of the ​unoffending-herd become the prey of their cruel and dastardly enemies.
The inducements presented to the cattle-hunters for the destruction of these animals consist in the hides which form a considerable article of commerce; and, in the fat, which they melt down into vessels and hogsheads, also for sale.
"Thy blessing, holy father!" exclaimed one of these hunters, to a priest located in one of the northern villages,—"thy blessing, holy father, and that of Our Lady on my expedition. I am about to set out that I may reach the 'red point' of the prairie at sunset, to be ready for the morning. I have promised Zio a whole cargo of hides—as many as my horse will carry—in two days from this. Grant thy benediction then, holy father, upon my journey!"
The priest muttered some words over him in an incongruous mixture of the Latin and Spanish languages; and the hunter immediately commenced his journey in the highest possible spirits, and with the fullest certainty that his expedition would be happy and productive.
Urging his horse to its utmost speed, he ​arrived within sight of the prairie before sunset; and by the time that luminary was sinking on the verge of the horizon, he had reached the spot indicated.
The Red Point was the name given to a spot where the soil was of an extremely ruddy colour; and as the sun now cast its last burning rays upon the earth, the glowing appearance was heightened, insomuch that it might have been mistaken at first sight for a sheet of water reflecting the gorgeous atmosphere above. Our traveller gazed for a little while on the scene before him; not that he could appreciate its beauty, but he was endeavouring to calculate from its aspect the degree of tomorrow's heat. He then slowly turned his eyes in the direction of the east, then towards the north, then towards the west again, taking in every object between himself and the horizon in his range. Apparently satisfied with his observations, he walked his horse to a slight hollow at a little distance, containing three trees and tied the animal to the trunk of one of them; then as the darkness came on he proceeded to select a grassy nook within a few paces of the tree, and after refreshing himself and horse, laid him down to rest. Deep sleep ​overtook him as the stars above appeared in their accustomed places, and the scene, which had lately been so glaring, became enwrapped in the cool and quiet lustre of a tropical night.
He slept soundly for several hours; dreaming about his home in the village, and the expectant wife he had left behind. Next his thoughts recurred to Zio the dealer, to whom he had promised a goodly number of hides within the space of two days. Then he dreamed of the priestly father, of whom he had a great dread, and of his parting benediction on his journey: he thought, in his vision, that the priest was before him, and gazed upon him; that as he gazed, his aspect changed, and he regarded him with the most dreadful sternness—accusing him of forgetting his evening prayers and Aves before lying down to sleep upon that spot. The priest's aspect grew more and more severe; his countenance became more terrible, and his voice louder and harsher than before; finally, he stood over him and cursed him with loud and dreadful imprecations, and forthwith consigned him to the torments of purgatory, in retribution. Yes, he felt that he was there: there, among the unhappy ​spirits suffering the extremity of torture! And, oh! the awful groans and howls of anguish that resounded thorough that dreadful place! How the wretched spirits ground their teeth in rage and despair; and shrieked and tore themselves in agony, as they leaped and sprang out of the circling flames, crackling and hissing around! Now a troop of fiends surround him, and he feels the burning heat has seized upon him! They take and thrust him among the fiercest of the fires; and——
Suddenly he awoke, with a start and shudder; his person and clothes bathed in perspiration, which fell from him like huge drops of rain. The stars were shining calmly above him, but the dreadful sounds of which he had been dreaming still seemed to salute his waking ears. Yells and shrieks, howlings and groanings, sounded close beside him, thrilling through every nerve; and still they ceased not. Presently he heard a sound which recalled his scattered senses.
It was his horse in the midst of a pack of wolves!
It was too late to save him. The wolves, pinched with hunger, are unusually daring at ​night. There is a numerous herd of them and they are quarrelling together over every morsel of the spoil; for there is not sufficient to satisfy the whole. Several of them have turned away with their hunger sharpened, and approach the hunter, while their companions are battling for the horse's bones. Meanwhile he has started up, seized his double-barrelled rifle—the only weapon, beside his lasso, which he has brought with him—determining to hold out as long as possible, and to sell his life as dearly as he can.
The wolves now surround him as he stands; but hesitate in advancing to the attack. This race of wolves are in the habit of retreating from the presence of man, unless in extreme want; but now it is night; they are in great numbers; their appetite has been stimulated by the taste of blood; there is but one man—and they come nearer. So closely they approach at last, that he can perceive the starlight reflected brightly, though in a warmer tint, on their eyeballs; while the vapour of their breath envelopes him. Animated by a sudden and almost despairing impulse, he levels his piece at the nearest group, and fires. One of the wolves lies dead, another is ​wounded and the rest retreat to a little distance in alarm.
It is not for long, however; they perceive that nothing follows and very soon return. They approach him and close him round again: his position is critical. They come nearer still. But a slight diversion in his favour occurs from their summarily falling upon their comrades who have just been shot and devouring them with savage eagerness. This second course produces almost as much confusion as did the first; under cover of which the watchful hunter attempts to retreat slowly and carefully from their immediate neighbourhood.
Soon they follow him once more; and every barrier between him and a dreadful death seems removed. Still he retreats slowly and half unconsciously: they are very near him now. Now one has leaped upon him; and the remaining barrel of his rifle has exploded in the struggle. Fortunately it has shot the wolf in question; the rest fall back in affright and devour their dead companion as before.
If he can only gain the deep stream which he sees shining on his right hand the hunter will have a chance of safety: the water will; ​at all events, be an auxiliary to him, as he is an excellent swimmer. The thought inspires him with renewed hope and energy; he halloos, and beats off his enemies at every step; and, after many narrow escapes, he reaches the banks of the river. The wolves, however, appear to have a perception of the importance of the moment; and just as he is about to plunge into the stream, they make one fierce, simultaneous rush upon him.
For an instant nothing can be discerned but foam and splashes, as the water is divided both by the assailants and assailed. The hunter, diving beneath the surface, has almost placed himself beyond reach of the wolves; whilst many of their bodies float around him, drowned. He is beginning to congratulate himself on his deliverance, as he perceives his enemies yelling and gnashing their teeth together on the opposite bank, when he feels himself seized by two animals of a larger and stronger growth than the rest. Their teeth almost meet in his flesh, and, in spite of his utmost exertions to the contrary, they are gradually drawing him under water. In vain he grasps their throats with maniac energy; still they keep their hold, and the stream ​becomes dyed with his blood. Presently the smaller of the two looses his hold; the current carries him away and he is drowned.
Only one of his assailants a large she-wolf, remains to be dealt with now. He struggles desperately, but in vain, to free himself from her grasp, yet he perceives a kind of fixedness in her movements that he had not observed before. Stretching out his arm once more, he places his hand upon her head and mouth; and finds that she is dead. Still her weight draws him downwards: almost immediately, he feels a faintness creep over him; he loses his consciousness; and, with the gripe of the dead wolf still fixed firmly upon him, he sinks below the surface of the water. But in the act of sinking, the bodies of the hunter and his enemy cleaving the stream violently, the hold of the beast became relaxed. The man rose to the surface, and his head coming in contact with a sharp projecting rock, his consciousness returned. He opened his eyes forthwith struggled, to the bank, and, in great weakness and exhaustion, succeeded in climbing upon it. As the first rays of the quiet morning light broke in the distance, the full particulars of his past peril flashed ​upon his mind; he turned and beheld the last group of his assailants retreating in the opposite direction, and folding his hands upon his breast he gave hearty thanks to Heaven for his deliverance.