Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-07-24
Tanning Wild Horses.


Many wild horses are still caught at Ca
JueIro. One day party of eight or ten of
the natives mounted on well disciplined
steeds, and headed by the Enelisbman, went
ont on the campos for this purpose. Perch
ed amid the branches Of tall tree, I had an
extensive view Of the grnssy plain. and was
able distinctly 10 observe all the movements
OF the eguestrians
The horsemen were riding rapidly in the
direction OF a small grove, when suddenly a
troop of forty or 6fy of the wild creatures
emerged from behind il. and bounded away
with astonishing velocity over the meadow.
A spirited chase was now commenced by
the mountain natives. who strained their
swift animals 10 their greatest capacity;
never did witness a mere intensely exciting
spectacle than The one which was now be.
fore me. The names and tails of the horses
were flying wildly in The air, while mass
OF hoois were rising and falling with rapid
ny which showed how tightly sprung were
The muscles of the animals.
To my Surprise the Englishman kent the
lead. and was obviously gaining upon the
GuIck-footed fueirives. Coming up with
them, he seized his lasso, and began TO
swing it around his hend. gradually enlarg.
ing The circles by permitting the smooth rope
10 slip gently through his fingers.
Bv sudden morton. at tile same instant
p'unging the spur into his charger, in order
TO increase his speed. if possible, he dashed
quickly forward. and hurled his lasso with
unerring skill ground the neck Of the FORE
most horse. The herd were now in a panic.
and wheeling around in their course, they
were completely surrounded by their pursu,
ers. Several were Iassoed by the natives,
and The remainder kept together BY two or
three of the horsemen, who were continually
circling around Them not one escaped, and
ere an hour had elapsed, they were driven
safely into one of the pens at Cajueiro,
ne'ehing loudly, and their mouths covered
with creamy foam. The best horses being
selected from the herd, and properly secured
the Others were again turned at large.
The mode adopted by the natives. OF
breaking them cannot be styled by any other
term than ba'bnrons; yet il is so efficacious
thar The poor animals are rendered perfectly
docile and manageable in the course of TWO
or three days.
One afternoon an opportunity was afford
ed me of Witnessing The operation. In the
largest enclosure proudly stood one OF the
majestic animals, kicking up The earth with
his hoofs, and shaking the heavy name on
his finely curved neck, while his bright eyes
glanced fearfully around him, and his loud,
Laughing voice ringing wildly in the quiet
air. seemed to he calling on his far off CON-
panions for relief.
The fiery creature was held bv strong
h'lter. at least fifteen feet in length, manned
by three Of the muscular and hare -chested
natives. Suon nonse was thrown around
his neck nv a couple Of powerful blacks sta
timed on the opposite side of the enclosure.
They then pulled wirIi all their strength one
way. while those who had hold ofthe halter
exerred themselves vehemenrlv in the con-
trary direction. The object evidently was TO
effect partial strangulaiion, in order that they
might weaken and temporarily overcome the
wonderful power of The spirited creature.
Violent were the punges of The captive
steed as he sought in vain by superlmman
exertinns, TO free himself from the grasp Of
his cruel tornentors. who stood like heart
less demons around him. His terrific leaps
only tended to draw the cord tighter and
tighter about his neck his breathing became
more and more difficult. and might have
been heard al the distance Of furlong. His
hear, heat as il it would burst from his heav-
ing bosom and his veins stood out in ridges
dOuS uuISctIuy HtSu AZ Iiet ONtI~
whelined with the intensity Of his agony, and
poweriess with suff,cation, he fell and for
an Instant lay without sense or motion upon
the ground. The noose was Immediately
loosed ubOnr his neck. and shortly returning
consciousness hegan to light his glazed eyes
the fresh arr swelled his nosrrils, and his
tremendous chest rose and fell like the bill
lows Of the sea. A. the expiration Of fifteen
minutes. he WINS once more on his feet, bui
how different from the magnificent animal
who had stood, in his native pride and dig
niiy. paving that sandy soil an hour before !!
Weak-hardly able to stand his head
dropping, and his eyes without ray, he
looked like a miserable spectre Of his former
self-lke monnrh dragged from his throne,
who has been scof1ed at by those whom he
had before despised, and forced TO be
wre,ched and miserable slave.
The persecution Of the horse wns now by
no means concluded. As soon as he had
recovered somewhat from his exhaustion he
was mounted by naked Indian, who was
rewar ded for his iemerity Ivy being thrown
to considerable distance over the head OF
the animal. The native, however, was but
little hurt and in a few moments again re-
sumed his dangerous seat. This time he
kent his place, Notwithstanding the vast ef-
forts Of The animal TO shake him OFT: IN TACT,
the no, Sc and his rider heiug nearly Of the
same color, brought vividly TO my mind The
remembrance of an ancient Centnur.
The animal wa. now held tightly by long
rore. and forced 20 run round and round in a
circle. Whenever he tagged, or manifested
the slightest of,s,inacy, native, with a
heavily knoued cord swinging around his
head. would give him terrible hlow on his
tanks, the pain or which was almost suffi-
cient to drive him to madness. Gradually
he became more and more passive, and at