The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-07-12
THE MEXICAN LASSo.
What 1t rs Made Of The Skill In
Swinging 1t.
Cincinnati Enquirer.

S~AASAnS Aae
Cincinnati Enquirer.l
The lasso itself is rope made of the
twisted fiber of the maguey, or aloe,
known in European markets as Sisal
hemp. There is great difference in the
quality. The best and strongest are
twisted SO extremely tight that it is al
most impossible to untwist the strands.
One end is wol ked into small loop,
lined inside with leather, through
which, when about to throw the lasso,
the other end is passed. The rope is
about thirty feet long, about one-third
of it formed into moose, which is
grasped little above the loop. g.,
where the rope is double, the rest of it
is coiled round and held in the let
hand, ready to let go, the extreme end
being kept separate, and, of course, re-
tanned. The moose should hang well
clear of the ground when held level
with the shoulder, and, when open,
forms circle of four or five feet in
diameter.
The lasso is swung over the head and
left shoulder, and back over the right
shoulder, peculiar turn of the wrist
as it begins to return keeping the moose
open. 1t is thus made to circle round
and round his head by the thrower, un-
til he is within distance of his object,
when it is launched and flies off at a
tangent, the moose assuming circular
torn, and settling quietly round the
object alme1 at. Before it settles the
thrower seizes the other end with his
right hand, and gives it two rapid turns
round the cabeza of his saddle, so as to
get a purchase. If he is not quick
enough at this, and the bull tightens
the rope before good purchase has been
effected, the result is that the fingers
get caught between the rope and the
cabeza and very much injured. It is
no unfreIuent thing to see u man who
has lost one or two fingers in learning
the art.
It is beautiful to see the exactitude
with which an adept will throw the
lasso from or to any point, over either
shoulder, behind or in front. There is
no credit in catching bull by the
horns, for he cannot be thrown by
them; but considerable skill is required
to pitch the moose just in front OF him
when he is at full ga1lop, 50 that next
step he treads into it; then, on its being
| frightened with sudden jerk, rolls over
| in the dust. The horse, too, has to
learn his part Of the business, and bear
| at the right moment in the opposite di-
rection, or he might be thrown instead
of the bull, to which, indeed, he is
often inferior in weight. 1t is con-
sidered disgraceful to have to loosen
the lasso, and to let the bull carry ii
off with him. A good hand at it will
catch by either leg alone bull gallop-
ing past at any angle.
The most difficult feat of all is tc
lasso him round the quarters when al
full gallop at the moment when his
hind legs are doubled up under him.
Usually the moose slips off, and nothing
happens; but if it be thrown precisely
at the right instant his hind legs are
pinned tight up under his belly, and he
is brought to standstill in the posi-
tion of sitting dog, looking indie
scribably silly in such an unwonted
position. These and other feats o.
lassoing are seen at their best at 6
hacienda, on the occasion of the annual
herradero, when the young bulls are
driven in from the plains, thrown down
and marked with hot iron with the
initials of their proprietors' names
Friends and neighbors come together
from afar and vie with one another il
the display of dexterity and horseman
ship.