Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-17
The Mexican LassO.

The lasso Itself is a rope made of the
twisted fibre of the m10gatey, 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 worked into a 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 a little
above the loOp-tO-Wit.: where the
rope is double; the rest of it is coiled
round and held in the left hand, ready
to let 90, the extreme end being kept
separate and of course retained. The
moose should hang well clear of the
ground when held level with the shout
der, and, when open, forms q circle of
four or five feet in diameter The las
SO 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 I'M
til he is within distance of his object,
when it is launched and flies off at q
tanget, the moose assuming u circular
form, and settling quietly round the
object aimed at. Before it settles the
throWer scizes 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 q good purchase has
been effected, the result is that the
fingers get caught between the rope
and the cabeza and very much injured.
1t is no infrequent thing to see man
who has lost one or two fingers in
learning the art. 1t 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 catch
ing q 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 gal
lop, so that next step he treads into it;
then, on its being frightened with q sud
den 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 direction, or he might
be thrown instead of the bull, to which
indeed he is often inferior in weight. It
is considered disgraceful to have to
loosen the lasso, and 10 let the bull
carry it off with him. A good hand at
It will catch by either leg alone bull
galloping past at any angle. The most
difficult feat of all is to Iasso him round
the quarters when at full gallop at the
moment when his hind legs are doubled
up under him. Usually the moose slips
off, and nothing happens; but if he be
thrown precisely at the right instant
his hind legs are pinned. right up IN
der his belly, and he is brought to
standsull in the position Of q sitting
dog, looking indescribably silly in such
an unUonted position. These and
feats of lassoing are seen at their
st at q hacienda, on the occasion of
the annual herradcro, when the young
bulls are driven in from the plains,
thrown down, and marked with hot
iron with the initials Of their proprie-
tors name. Friends and neighbors
come together from afar, and vie with
one another in the display of deXterity
and horsemanship.- London SATURDAY.
ReUieU