New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-05-12
ADarinr Deed OF Craftsmanship.

A MEXICAN SKETCH.

eff you feel disposed to risk doubloon-I am but
a poor hunter aud cannot place more-I shall attempt
what mnchacito Of ten years would consider feat
| perhaps
"And what may that be, Senior Cabaero?r asked
| the officer sneeringfy.
will check my horse at full gallop on the brow of
| yonder cliff"
"Withn two lengths from the brow?': e., IT,
g Within two lengths-less the same distance that
is traced here, on the banks Of the sequar'
The surprise created by this announcement held
the bystanders for some moments in silence. 1t was
proposal of such wild and reckless daring that it
was difficult to believe that the maker Of it was in
earnest. Even the two officers were for a moment
staggered by it and inclined to fancy the Cabaero
was not serious, but hooking them.
The cliff to which Carlos had pointed was part of
the bluff that hemmed in the valley. 1t sort of
promontory however that utted out from the general
line, as to be conspicuous object from the plain
below Its brow was of equal height with the rest of
the precipice, of which it was part-a sort of but
ress and grassy turf that appeared along its edge
was but the continuation of the upper plateau. Its
front to the valley VERTICAL without terrace or
ledge although horizontal seams trayersng its face
showed a qualification of lime and sandstone alterna
ting with each other From the sward upon the val
ley to the brow above the heights 900 feet short
To gaze up to it was trial to delicate nerves to
look down put the stoutest to the proof All stood
watching him with anxious ewes. Every moment was
noted He first alighted from the saddle stripped off
his manga had it carried back and placed out of the
way. He next looked to his spurs, to see that the
Straps were properly DucklcQ.
After this he retied his SASH and placed the SOM
brero firmly his head. He buttoned his yelyeteen
calzoneros down nearary to his ankles that their
leather buttons might not flap open and discommode
him. His hunting knife 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 some signal service. The
bride was first scrutnized. The great bit-a Name
luke-was carefully examined, lest there might be
some flaw Or crack in the steel The head strap was
bucked to its proper tghtness, and then the reins
were infinitely scanned. These were the hairs of
wild horses tail, closely and neatly plated. The
saddle now had its turn. Passing from side to side,
Carlos tied both stirrupleathers and examined the
great wooden blocks which formed the stirrups The
grth was the last as well the most important Oh
ject of his solicitude. He loosened the buckles on
both SIDES and then frightened them, using his knee
to effect his purpose. When drawn to his liking, the
tip of his finger could not have been passed under
| the strong leather band.
No wonder he observed all this caution as the
swapping of a strap, or the slipping of buckle
might have hurried him into eternity. Having sat.
ised himself thai all was right, he gathered up the
reins and leaped lively into the saddle.
He first directed his horse walk along the cliff,
within few feet of its edge. This was to strengthen
both himself and the animal. Presently the walk be-
came trot, and then gentle canter. Even this
exhibition fearful to behold. To those regarding
it from below it was beautiful but terrible spectacle
After awhile he headed back towards the plain and
then stretching into gallop-the gait in which he
intended to approach the clii-he suddenly refined up
again. so to throw his horse nearly on his tanks.
| Again he resumed the same gallop, and again
refined up; and this maneuver he repeated about n
dozen times, now with his horses head turned
towards the cliffs, and now in the direction Of the
plain. At last he seen to turn his horses head
toward the Cliff and take his rmest seat in the saddle.
| The determined glance Of his eye showed that the
moment had come for the final trial A slight touch
of the spur set the noble brute in notion and in an
other moment he was in full gallop, and heading
directly for the cliff The suspense was of short du-
ration. Twenty strides brought horse and horseman
close to the verge, within half dozen lengths The
rein still hung looseCarlos dared not tighten tia
touch he knew would bring his horse to a halt, and
that before he had crossed the line would only be
| failure. Another leap--another-y another! Ho
| he is inside. Great God he will be oyer!-
just as the horse appeared about to spring the
horrid brink the reins were observed suddenly to
tighten, the forehoofs became fixed and spread and
the hips of the noble animal rested upon the plain.
He was poised at scarce three feet from the edge of
the cliff! While in this attitude the horseman raised
his right hand, lifted his sombrero and after waving
it round, returned it to his head splendid picture
from below The dark forms of both horse and rider
were perceived as 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 steed, even the
very trappings, could be distinctly and for the
short period in which they poised and motonless,
the spectator might have ancied equestrian statue
of bronze, its pedestal the pinnacle of the cliff