The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1841-04-01


glorious excitement 10 the Mexican hur
tiers. They scream with delight as tn
animal is jerked over on the grass and
separated from its dam. Then a kind {
sport commences, which seems to 4
American traveller more exhilaratino tina
any thing else of which he could hav
any conception. The angler with hi
hooked fish knows nothing to compar
with II, and 1t beats even sscock 6oh,
ing The poor calf is no sooner dow,
than up again, and scarcely up befor
ne is again ,nmbled over or suffered i
run a short distance, according to tn
within of the hunter. Vi:
The Mexicans sit and laugh at this
until they roll in their saddles: as 70
falling from their seats it seems to be
thing impossible. The young buffal,
makes little effort to free itself from tn,
rope, but rises after every fall still press
ing headlong after its flying dam unit
she disappears beyond the verging hori
zon. Here the fun ceases, for when the
poor calf sees no longer any of lis own
kind, 1t becomes tame at once, and viii
place itself by the side of horse, and
run with it as formerly with the COW
The rope may then be taken from it.
meek, as it will not leave the horses un
less it should again fall into trail of its
kind, so that the creature may be reared
with the utmost facility by assistance
simply Of domestic COW. a. m
At Fort William we saw two buffalo
calves grazing with the domestic cattle
and displaying no indication whatever OF
discomfort at the situation. The poor
COW, however, was obliged to be tied be.
fore the little buffaloes could get nutri
ment from her, for they had an ungen,e
fashion of handling the udder, which she
considered somewhat unusual.
The method of highway robbery some
what singular is also prac,ised in Mexico,
by means of this skill in throwing the
lariat. The robber pursues the traveller
in precisely. the same manner as hun
ter rides after the young buffalo, throw.
ing the moose in such manner as to
pinlon and tighten the victims arms down
to his side, at the same time Jerking
him from his horse to the ground, by
which action he is rendered powerless,
and the robbery is easy.
An incident slightly romantic in cha
racter, connected with this kind of plum.
dering, occurred some short time pre-
vIous 10 our flying visit 20 Sante Fe, and
of course we heard of it. A rich Next
can was proceeding with an extensive
caravan to chihuahua. and he was in the
habit Of carrying large amount of gold
belted around him beneath his clothes.
This fact being known to daring and
desperate gambler, whose character a.
mong these people was 20 obstacle to
perfect freedom of intercourse with all
classes. He travelled with the caravan,
as it soon appeared. for the express pur-
pose of making himself master of tho
golden girdle. His opportunity occurred
when about half the travel was completed.
The Don rode one day out of sight of the
caravan in search of water, and the gam
bier, whose eye had been upon his VIC
tim through the whole journey, was in
stanty off to execute his scheme. He
sought and came up with the Don, en-
tered into conversation with him, and
soon he had the rich Mexican endorsed
at his feet. But to get at the +" yellow
boys il was now necessary to release
the arms, which were tied down over
the girdle, and this was not to be thought of
The robber dared not fire lest he should
be heard by the passing caravan, and he
seized bufalos skull which lay near
with the intention of dashing ont his vic.
TINS brains. The Spanish desperate
stood over his conquered prey. holding
the frightened larlat in his left hand, his
horses reins around his left arm, and
with the huge white skull raised in his
right hand, ready to dash upon his pros
trate victim.
:. Don't kill me and you shall have my
gold!' exclaimed the helpless merchant;
and the gambler paused.
Though the gambler had secured his
own horse, the other had taken fright
and galloped back to the moving caravan,
when its owner was thrown on the
ground.
S Il know you want my gold and not
ny life," said the Merchant. s.Cut the
rope that binds me, and place your knife
Instantly upon my neck; and if do not
give you the gold, you may drive the
blade into my tmoat.''
The gambler did so, for in his furry
he had forgotten the frightened horse,
)ut the merchant had not, and was play
ng a cool and cunning game.
1.-The gold, the gold,' said the gam.
der, "or the knife sinks into your
leck - "
8 Instantly said the merchant, as he
'ndeavored to gain all the time he could
n releasing the belt of gold.
Another moment, and the rapid hoof
teps were heard. followed Immediately
" the appearance of dozen approach
ng horsemen. e
The robber turned pale, but his eyes
dashed in desperation, and gri.ting his
eeth horribly, he swore he would kill!
g Kill me- said the merchant, +" and
'ou are shot down instantly; release me
md I will never betray Won: chick. nut +