Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-07-24
As,nth Caiifornin HerdInr scnnr.

Correspondence Cincinnati Commercial
Messrs. Cox 4 Quinn own large ranges in
Southern California, and they do an extensive
business driving cattle northward into Placer
and Nevada counties, to be sold. in the mining
towns, principally Grass Valley and Nevada City.
This winter they kept an immense herd in the
foothills. and few days ago drove them ont on
the plains TO select and brand them. With the
exception of two Mexicans. all Of the thirty or
forty men assembled we're Americans. Most Of
the horses were half-breeds or full-blooded
Americans but IN southern California the mus
tang still prevails on the stock ranch. The great
herd numbering about 5000 head. is hudiled
III the middle Of the open plain, and the proprie.
tors and vacqueros are riding around them.
What few footmen there are present keep well
out Of the way, for these spanish cattle have a
great curiosity TO inspect a mans heels. Their
long, slender shining horns are held sloft and
with dilated nostrils they snf the coming fray.
one OF the men says to a yacquero, ''You see
that big. black fellow. with crop and slit in
the right and an overslope in the left Bring
him out. The vaquero rides INTO the herd
gradually worms the animal 70 the outer edge Of
the band then suddenly clapping spurs to his
horse hunts HIM with the greatest swiftness ont
into the open; then the trained horse, eager and
delishtng in the chase, follows his every motion
50 closely that the animal though doiging like
wounded hare. finds itself driven straight for
ward. Another owner recognizes one Of his an
lmAls, and the same process is repeated with
this one.
There are few 70 lie branded and a. there il no
corral to condne them in they are compe,ed TO
resort 10 the Mexican plan. The animal Is first
separated from the herd. and then a yacquero
rldes him down and lassos him by the horns
Another rides up and lassos him by the hind legs
II lie Is skilful enough, or Il not throws one side
on the animals back and the other on the ground
behind him. and he presently backs into it,
when it Is quickly drawn tight Then the two
horses set ont in opposite directions. the ami
MAJ is hind feet are pulled from under him. and
he comes down one would think at the immi-
nent hazard Of breaking his backbone. 4 man
PUSHES up with the branding iron. claps il on his
night hip, where It makes cruel singing and
nzzing. Il is frequently good deal worse bus
mess to get away from him than It Is to catch
him. especially If has fight in hlm. and he gem
orally has by this time. The brandc gets out Of
the way while the two horsemeu are holding
the animal tight with the lassos around their
pommels and the horses at q dead set. a third
rides up, and the lassos are slackened little
the one around the horns Is slipped of and the
man instantly mounts his horse before tho ami
mA can nse, and fees, while the raging brute
struggles free from the other lasso, and perhaps
gives chase. Thus both la=sos are recovered,
and everybody gets OF with whole skin.
One Of the most extraordinary feats performed
consisted IN the lAssoing Of a sucking calf with a
loop fifteen feet across. II requires great skill
10 throw lasso with such All enormous loop.
and it has to be hurled long distance 10 mar
row down sufficiently to catch so small su ami
NAL. In Texas | have seen man lassO prairie
dog. but he used q small rope and q very small
loop One Of the men executed feat which
would seem incredible to person who had not
witnessed it. Riding at full speed across the
plains. nearly abreast OF steer, he spun the
beinging him down with a rsking plunge on his
nose.