The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-07-26
TANNING WILD HORSES.

The following is extracted from Warrcn's
"Para on The Amaaonr'
"Many Wild horses arc still caught at Ca
jucrio, One day party Of eight or ten Of
the natives mounted on we'll disciplined
steeds, and headed by the Engishman, went
out on the cAmpoa for this purpose. Perch
cd amid the branches ofa tall tree, had
an extensive view Of tho grassy plain, and
was able distinctly to observe all the move
monta Of the eques,rians
The horsemen were riding rapidly in tho
direction of a small grove, when suddenly a
troop OF forty or fly ortho wild creatures O.
merged from behind il, aud bounded away
with astonishing velocity over the meadow
A spirited chase was now commenced by the
mountain natives, who strained their swit an
imals te their greatest capacity; never did !
witncas more intensely exciting spectacle
than the ono which was now before me. The
names aud tails Of the horses were flying Wild
" in the air, while mass of hoofs was rising
and falling with a rapidity which showed how
tightly strung were the muscles of the AMI
mails.
Tony surprise tho Englishman kept the
lead, aud was obviously gaining upon the
quick footed fugitivcs Coming up with them,
he seized his lasso, and began 90 swing it A.
round his head, gradually cnlargng the cir
cles by permitting the smooth rope TO slip
gently through his fingers.
by sudden motioa, at the same instant
plugging the spur into his charger in order
l.. IL
quickly forward and hurled his lasso with
unorring skill around the neck Of the fore
most horse. The herd was now thrown into
panic, aud wheeling around IN thciT COURSE,
they wero completely surrounded by their
pursucrs. Several were lassocd by the ma
tives,and the remainder kept together by two
or three of the horscmnn, who wcro continu-
ally circling around them not one escaped,
and ere an hour had elapsed, they were driv-
en- safely into one Of the pens at Cajuero,
neighing loudly, aud their mouths covered
with creamy foam. Tho best horses being
selected from the herd, and properly secured,
the rest were again turned at large.
The mode adopted by the natives Of break
ing them, cannot be styled by any other term
than that of harbarous yet it is so eflicacious
that the poor animals are rendered perfectly
docilc and manageable in the course of twu
or three days.
One afternoon an opportunity was afforded
me Of witnessing the operation. In the larg-
est enclosure 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 ring
ing wildly in the quiet air, seemed to be call.
ing on his far-oG companions for relief
The fiery creature was held by a strong
halter, at least fifteen feet in length, manned
by three OF the muscular and bare-chested
natives. Soon a moose was thrown around
his neck by a couple of powerful blacks sta
toned on the opposite side of the enclosure
They then pulled with all their strength one
way, while those who had hold Of the halter
.cxerted themselves vehementy in the con-
Hrary direction. The object evidently was to
effect partial stranguiation,n in order that they
might weaken and temporarily overcome the
wonderful power of the spirited creature.
Violent were the plunqes OF the captive steed
as he sought in vain, by superhuman cxer-
tons, 20 free himself from the grasp of his
tormentors, who stood Like heartless demons
around him. His terrific lesps only served
to draw the cord tighter and tighter about his
neck his breathing became moro and moro
difficult, and might have been heard at the
distance of a furlong. His heart beat as if il
would burst from his heaving bosom, and lis
veins stood out in ridges along his quivering
flesh. At last, overwhelmed with the intef,-
sity of his agony, and powerless with sufIoca-
ton, he fell, and for an instant lay without
Sense or motion upon tho grouud.. TT 7 h1 u0osu
was Immediately loosed, and shortly re-
turning consciousness began TO light his
glazed eyes--the fresh air swclled his nos
tris, and his tremendous chest rose and fell
like Che billows of the sea. At tho expiration
OF RfAeen minutes he was once more on his
feet, but how different from tho magnificent
animal who had stood, his native pride aud
dignity, paving that sandy coil an hour be-
fore Weak-hardly able 90 stand--his head
dropping and his eyes without a ray, he look
cd like miserable spectre of his former self
like n monarch dragged from hiss throne,