The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-02-03
sOHTLx, PERU AND MEXICO.
From Capt. HIS Voyage.
CONTINUED.

a cold reception. III thlss hoWcFei We WIZ
much mistaken, for the master OF the mousse
no sooner saw who we we're, than ne oegseu
us to walk into his sala or drawing room,
very different apartment from the first, for,
as we entered, we could scarcely stand the
glare of light from dozen wax candles.
The floor was covered with rich carpet,
the roof and cornices were neatly finished,
and the walls ornamcnted with mirrors, and
pictures.
At the upper end of the room stood grand
prano-forte, by Broadwood and, at the tea
table, near it, the lady of the house and her
daughter received us most kindly. we
soon became acquainted; and while one OF
the young ladies went out to gather some
flowers for us, another opened the piano.
forte, at our request and played very good
naturally, while we set chatting with the
old people, who entreatcd us to stay the
night. There was something so unexpect-
ed in this kind of reception, and the people
themselves were so obliging and agreeable,
that |, for one, was very reluctant TO quit
such good quarters; it was necessary, now
ever, to go on, and we mounted our Jaded
horses again with very bad grace.
But the charms of the night scene were
now gone, and the wild embellishments with
which fancy had, an hour before, dressed up
tHG SCCDCIy, WSiS ouPPAsAts>N ~
and comfortless reality: every thing seemed
to go wrong; the rode was full of holes; the
travellers weary of themselves and of one an
other, and the Journey was never to be at an
end But, at length, after a tedious ride, we
reached the Chacra, or farm, and had pro-
ceeded about halfway up the approach when
we were overtaken by two riders, one OF
whom proved to be the master OF the house,
who welcomed US to the country with a frank
ness of manner, and kindness OF tone pc
culiarly pleasing to an unlimited visitor The
ladies of the family, they said, were just be-
hind, the whole party being on their return
from dance in the neighbourhood SO we
hurried on, and had our horses put away in
time to hand the ladies from their Garcia.
On our way homeward our host entertain
ed us, by making his people show us the
South American method OF catching cattle.
The instrument is called in English Lasso
from the spanish Lazo, which signihes slip
knot or moose, and the operation of using it is
called I.assoing. 1t consists of rope made
of strips of Unframed hide, varying in length
from fifteen or twenty yards, and is about as
thick as the little finger. 1t hes moose or
running knot at one end, the other extremity
being fastened by an eye and button to a ring
in strong hide-belt or surcngle, bound
tightly round the horse. The coil is grasp
ed by the horseman's left hand, while the
moose which is held in the right, trails along
the ground except when in use, and then it is
whirled round the head with considerable We
locity, during which, by apeculiarturn of the
wrist, it is made to assume circular form
so that, when delivered from the hand, the
moose preserves itself open till it falls over
the object at which it has been aimed.
The unerring precision with which the las
so is thrown is perfectly astonishing, and to
one who sees it for the first time, has very
magical appearance. Even when standing
still it is by no means an easy thing to throw
the lasso; but the difficulty is vastly inceas-
ed when it comes to be used on horseback
and at gallop, and when, in addition, the
rider has to pass over uneven ground, and to
leap hedges and bitches in his course; yet
such is the dexterity of the Guassos, that
they are not only sure Of catching the animal
they are in chase of, but can fix, or, as they
term it, place their Lasso on any particular
part they please, over the horns, round the
neck, or the body, rthey can include all four
legs, or two, or any one of the four, and the
whole with such ease and certainty, that it is
necessary to witness the feat to have a just
conception of the skill displayed; which,
like that of the savage Indian in the use oil
his bow and arrow, can only be gained by a
whole life's practice. 1t is, in fact, the ear
Hest amusement of these people, and have
seen little boys just beginning to run about
actively employed in lassoing cats. and en-
tangling the legs of every dog that was nm
fortunate enough to pass within reach. In
due season they become very expert in their
attacks on poultry, and afterwards i'll catch
ing wild birds; so that, by the time they arc
mounted on horseback, which is always at ar
early age, they begin to acquire that match
less skill from which no animal, of less speed
than q horse, has the slightest chance Of es
Gaping.
Let US suppose that a wild bull is to b.
caught, and that two mounted horsemen
guassos, as they are called, undertake to xii
him. As soon as they discover him, they re
move the coil of the lasso from behind them
and, grasping it in the left hand, prepare tn
moose in the right, and dash of at full gallon
each singing hislasso round his head.-Th
first who comes in reach aims at the bull
horns, and, when he sees, which he does i
an instant, that the lasso will take effect, h
stops his horse, and turns 1t half round, til
bull continuing his course, till the whole las
SO has run out from the guasso's hand. Th
horse, meanwhile, knowing, by experience
what is going to pappen, leans over as muc
as he can, in the opposite direction from til
bull, and stands in trembling expectation
the violent tug which is given by the bull whe
brought up by the lasso. So great indec
is the jerk which takes place at this momen
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