The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-09-22
A Ride for Life.


following Renaissance of life on the
frontier and the value of good horse:
Some four or five years ago-and even
now, for that matter-horses could be
had in Southern California for mere
song. Spanish broncos sold for from $40
to $50, half-breeds for about $50, and
good three-quarter Americans for S75 or
500. Your correspondent visited
Spanish horse-raiser one day for the pur-
pose of purchasing one of the half breed
quality, and on arriving at his rancho a
| band of horses grazing on the plains
were pointed out to me, with the remark
that $50 would give me selection from
the lot. When they had been corraled
the object of my choice was superb,
coal-black animal, three quarter blood,
who by some means had become mixed
with the inferior stock. The Spaniard
at first demurred, but would not alter his
original agreement, and finally said that
as the horse was with the half-breeds it
could go for the price first named,
though worth double that The horse
was perfectly wild; neverhad been either
saddled or bridled, but did not appear at
all vicious, and my mind was then made
up to break him myself, rather than
run the risk of having him injured by
vacquero, who, as a rule. either ruins the
horses spirit or its constitution. 1t is
unnecessary to enter into details as to
how my end was accomplished, but suf-
flee it to say that in two weeks time he
was manageable--G. e., became quite
used to the saddle-but was nervousan
easily frightened, thus compelling the
rider to be constantly on the qui Uire to
prevent being thrown. About this time
an invitation was extended to me to be-
come one of party bound on camping
expedition to the mountains, some thirty
or forty miles from Los Angeles, and,
having nothing else to do, of course my
acceptance of it Was prompt. We had
very delightful location for sport, as
trout and game were plentiful, and en-
Joyed ourselves hugely; but we lad been
negligent in not procuring enough of
that indispensable article of camplife,
coffee, and about the end of the first
week our supply gave out.
Now Billy for such was my horses
classical name-though dubbed by the
Spaniards IL diabOIG negro was getting
very uneasy from a lack of daily exer-
else, there being no place for it on the
mountains, and, thinking the ride to and
from Los Angeles would be beneficial to
him, volunteered to go in quest of the
coveted article. Daylight of beautiful
morning found me in the saddle pre-
pared for the journey, but just before
cantering away an old hunter, one of
the party, said to me: Keep in the
regular trail an don't go into any side
canons, for there's lots O. greasers about
n they'll gobble yer up if yer don't look
sharp, cause yer got mighty fine horse
and saddle there Being well armed, |
however, his fears did not trouble me.
The regular trail after emerging from
the foot hills ran for a greater part of |
the way over hot, desolate, and unin-
teresting plain, veritable desert. But
few rods to one side, and running
parallel with the trail, was a cool, shady |
canon, and the thought naturally rose,
Why not get into it and avoid this heat?
The caution of the old hunter coming
suddenly to mind caused me to hesitate,
but only for moment, and in a short
time Billy had carried me in safety to it.
No thoughts of danger troubled me as,
slowly riding through this pretty spot,
my senses were feasting on the beauti-
full things round about, but quite sud-
denly my horse commenced pricking up
his ears, and began to get very unruly.
"This so annoyed me at last that,
turning in the saddle and looking back
to ascertain the cause of his uneasiness,
my eyes rested upon three Mexicans-
riding some 800 yards behind me-ap.
parently engaged in earnest converse
ton, as they were gesticulating earnestly
and at intervals looking toward me. At
first thrill of joy passed through my
frame as it appeared that the balance of
my ride-some twenty odd miles-was
to be enlivened by company, poor though
it were. My anticipations of pleasure,
however, were soon dispelled, for on
hailing them with friendly greeting my
BuenOS deGS was answered with a curse
and very significant threat.
Half breed Mexicans, or 'Greasers,
as they are more commonly called, are
extremely treacherous, but at the same
time exceedingly cowardly, and had these
fellows not seen very plainly that the