The Empire County argus., 1856-06-21
sHisffliantous.
A Daring Deed of Eorsamanship.
A MEXICAN SKETCH.

If you feel disposed to risk douboon-I am
but poor hunter and can not place more-I shall
attempt what muchdchtO of ten years would con-
slider feat perhaps"
And what may that be, Senior Caballero? asked
the officer sneeringly.
Il will check my horse at full galop on the brow
of yCndtr cliff"
within two lengths from the brow? ?"
within two lengths-lcss--thes same distance that
is traced here, On the banks of the seQuai ~
The surprise created by this announcement he'd
the bystanders tcr some ments in silence. 1t was
proposal of such wild and reckless daring that it
was difficult TO believe Il at the maker of it was in
earnest. Even the two officers were for moment
staggered by it and inclined to fancy the caballero
was not serious, but mocking them.
The cliff to which Carlos Lad pointed was part of
the buff that hemmed in the valley. 1t was a sort
OF promontoryi however, that juttcd out from the
general line, so as to be conspicuous object from the
pain below. Its brow was of equal height with the
rest of the precipce of which it was part-a sort
OF buttress and grassy turf that appeared along
It's edge was but the continuation of the upper plat
eau. Its front to the valley vertical, without
terrace or ledge although horizontal seams ravers
ing its face showed stratifcaton of lime and alter
mating with each other. From the sward upon the
valley to the brow above the heights was l,0cO feet
short TO gaze up to it was trial to delicate
nerves to look down. put the stoutest to the proof
movement was noted lie first alighted from the
saddle, striped eff his manga, lad it carried back
and placed cut Ct the way. He next looked to his
sIurs, TO see that te straps properly buckled
After this lie rtiod his SASH and placed the sombrero
firmly cn his head. He buttcned his velvetaen cal
zones down nearly to his ankles so that their leather
buttons might not flap open and discommode him.
His hunting-knc, along with the whip he gave to
the Charge of Don Juan. His attention was next
turned to the horse that stood all this time with his
neck curved proudly, as though he OWNED that he
was to be called upon for signal service. The
bride was first scrutinzed. The great bit-a Man,
elukt-was carefully examined least their might be
some faw or crack in the steel. The head-srap was
butkltd to its proper ightnoss ard then tie reins
wore minutey scaln(d. 1lcse were Il c lairs of a
wild Lorses tail, closely cId realty Plated. Tie
saddle now ad its tuIn. Passing from side to side
Carlos tied both stimur-leathers, and examned the
great wooden blocks which Termed tie strrurs. The
glrth was tie last as well as most important object
OF his solictude He loosened the buckles on both
SIDES, and then tigltCncd thom, using Lis knee to
effect Lis purpose When drawn to his liking, the
tip of his finger could not have been passed under
tie strong leather band.
NO wonder he observed all this caution. as the
snaIrng CT strap, tie slipping of buckle might
Lave LUlr;,d lin into eternity Having satisfied
Lmsci tat al was right, lie gathered up the reins
and CapCd INTO tie saddle.
Iic ulSt ulcClcu HIS liz lSe on q walk a'Cng the
c!iI and within few feet of its edge This was to
strengthen both himself and the animal Presently
the walk became trot, and then gentle canter.-
Even this was an exhibition fearful to behold. To
those regarding it from below. it beautiful but
terrible spectacle. After while he headed back
toward the plain, and then stretched into fair gal
lcT-the gait in which he intended to approach the
cli-he suddenly rcincd up again. so as to throw his
horse nearly on his launches
Again he resumed the same oallOn and ocain
relned up and this manGuvre he repeated about
dozen times, now with lis horses head turned toward
the Cliff, and now in the direction of the pain At
last he was seen to turn toward the cliff and take his
firm st scat in the saddle The determined glance of
his 1ye showed that the moment had come for the
fai trial. sight touch of the spur set the noble
brute in notion and in another moment he was in
full galop, and heading directly for the cliff The
suspense was of short duration Twenty strides
brought hose ard LCrstman close to the verge. or
within lalt a dozen lengths. Tie rein still hung
locst-Carlcs dared not tighten ia touch he knew
would lring his horse to lat. and tlat before he
lad crossed the line would only be failure An
Other loal-anothcr-yet another! Flo he is in
side. He will be ever Just as the horse appeared
about to spring over the hcrrid brink tie rens were
observed to tighten, tie fore oo.s became fixed and
spread, and the hips Of the noble animal rested on
the plain. lie poised at scarce three feet from
the edge Of the cliff While in this attitude the
horscman raised his right hand lifted his sombrcro
and after waving it round returned it to his head
a splendid picture from below The dark forms of
both horse and rider were perceived they drew up
On the cliff and the imposing and graceful attitude
was fully developed against the blue background of
the sky The arms the limbs, the oval outlines of
the stced even the very rappngs, could be seen dis
tinctly and for the short period in which they were
poised and motioess, the spectator might have fan
ced an equestrian statue of bronze, its pedestal the
pinnacle Of the cliff.