The Shasta courier., 1860-07-14
NUMBER 10.
Written for the Courier.
Ell ROdeO.*
BY S. DE WITT HUBBELL.

bell,
Subdued the native with their priestly-euns.
To bear the cross of God and man, as well.
Oft have the holy fathers careless stood
Within thy valies, then blooming waste;
Or needless toiled along the mountain flood.
That, rich with treasure downward foamed
and raced.
Those times and scenes have all long passed
away.
Before the white mans wisdom-g guided tread,
As fly the shades before tile steps of Day.
When in the east he lifts his radiant head.
But still thy vallies and thy mountains TEEN
With customs common to the race of old;
Like Indian names bequeathed to lake and
stream
They'll live while Time his restless reign shall
hold.
'Tis of one such that essay to sing,
custom much in vogue, and doubt dear
To I'll who brood meath Spain's maternal wing,
Or D." swing lass'-they call it Ell Rodeo.
Last night, at sunset, down the stream saw
The dark vaqueros ride along the plain,
With jangling spur and bit, and hackemor,
And snake-like lariatsf Scarce eer hurled in
vain.
The steeds they rode were champing on the
bit,
The agile riders lightly sat their "trees :"
And many laugh, and waif of Spanish wit
Made merry music on the evening breeze.
Far out beyond the hills their course they took,
And where there lies in early summer days
lake, or slough, or chance pebbly brook,
The cayote saw their campfire wildly blaze.
All night they lay beneath its lnrid glare,
Till had upsprung morns beauteous herald
star,
And then, received each horse the needed care,
Quick DER the plains they scattered near and
far.
They come land thund ring down the red land
slope,
The fierce ganadot madly tears along,
While, close behind, urged to their utmost lope,
The wild caballosN drive the surging ;hrong.
At headiong speed the riders keep the band,
With yells and oaths, and waving hats and
coats,
Till in the strong corral they painting stand,
And rest is gained for horses and for throats.
Then comes the breakfast, soon the steer they
kill,
And quickly is the dressing hurried through
The meat is cooked by rude, but well-liked
skill,
And-alI do know what hungry men will do.
Inc patron sits hard by yon old oak tree,
Enclrcled by group of chatting friends
For, at Rodeo, all you can eat is free,
--N ',AA "AONuN Al greasy union DleQQS.
The breakfast finished, cigaritaso light,
Unto the huge corral all hands proceed;
The strong-wove "sinches" are made doubly
tight,
And the reata'sS moose prepared for need
The fire is kindled and the iron brand
Amidst its Goals receives the wonted heat:
The patron waves assent with eager hand
And the dark riders bound the sign to greet.
Where yon dark cloud of dust is rising high,
The swart vaqueros1 like the lightning dart;
And singing out their prey with practced eve,
Rush him from the frighted herd apart
Now whirls the lasso, whistling through the air,
| In rapid circles Ger each horseman's head,
Till round the yearling's throat is hurled the
snare;
| Burning like huge coil of molten lead.
Then, needless of its struggles to get free,
They drag it to the Major Domo's** stand.
Who, though of tender heart he's wont 10 be,
Now merciless sears deep in its flesh the
brand
The Spanish mother, at her younglings cry,
| Comes charging down with maddened hoof
and horn
| While far and wide the crowd of gazers fly,
And hide behind the fence-posts till she's
gone.
In faith, it is sight well worth to see,
For those who love excitements feyerish
touch;
And he who can look on and passive be-
Has ice within his nature over much.
What frantic bellowings pierce the startled air,
What clouds of dust obscure the midday
sky,
What frenzied looks the mad1ened cattle wear
As round and round, in vain; they raging fly,
These things and many more, tend well to fill
The nF ~;
Akin to passions that full oft nstil
Feelings that prompt the torture of its kind,
But be who rashly seeks a closer view
Of tortured calf, 10 mark each groan and
sigh,
Receives, full oft, rebuke in black and blue.
Pointed, with force, to where his brains most
lie.
And some there who always gather here.
Who live at home, or try to, by their wits
Who flock around I" free lunch" or Rodeo,
Because they there dine without four bits.
The last calf now has met the common fate
Ear clipped, and branded, they have set him
free,
The crowd have left, a few alone do wait,
And we have seen all that there is to see.
Perhaps, some day, by some far ADLER pen,
These things shall, DER again, be better told.
And strangers to our clime shall mark them
then,
And deem them far from either tame or cold.
I've only sought to pass an idle spell,
With common pen, ruled paper, and black
ink,
And some few thoughts had to rudely tell
Though, chance, | had not, did ! ,csssly
think.
THoN's CREEK, July I'd, 1850.
have given the common pronunciation to
this word, (Rodere,) though, perhaps, it is not
strictly correct.
The word reatea would more properly ap-
ply here, but have heard both words used 10
express the same meaning
Ganado-a band of cattle or horses
Horses. , The lasso.
Bucharos-men who herd stock, and per-
form other duties on stock ranch.
~ The oyerseer or boss.