Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-06-13
The Mexican Lasso.

The lasso itself is rope made of the
twisted fiber of the maguey, or aloe,
known in the European market 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 loop, lined in
side 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 il
formed into moose, which is grasped q
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 go, the extreme end being kept
separate and, of course retained. TIE
moose should hang well clear of the
ground when held level with the
shoulder, and, when open. forms q
circle of four or five feet in diameter.
The lasso is swung over the head and
left shoulder, and hack over the right
shoulder-a 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 until he is within distance of
his oh. ect, when il is launched and flies
off at a tangent, the moose assuming a
circular form, and settling quietly round
the object aimed 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 purchase II 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
got caught between the rope and the
cabeza and very much injured. 1t is
no infrequent thing TO see a man who
has lost one or two fingers in learning
the art. 1t is beautiful to see the eX.
actitude 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 a bull bv
the horns, for he can not be thrown by
them; but considerable skill is required
to pitch the moose just in front of him,
when he is at full gallop, so that next
step he treads into it; then, on its being
frightened with a 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 direction,
or he might be thrown instead of the
bull, to which indeed he is often inferi-
or in weight 1t is considered disgrace
full to have to loosen the lasso, and to
let the bull carry it off with him. A good
hand at it will catch by either leg alone
a bull galloping past at any angle.
The most difficult feat of all is to lasso
him round the quarters when at full
gallop at the moment when his hind
legs are doubled up under him. Usual
IL the moose slips off, and nothing hap
pens; but if it he thrown precisely at
the right instant his hind legs are
pinned right up under his belly, and he
is brought to a standstill in the position
of a sitting dog, looking indescribably
silly in such an unwOnted position.
These and other feats of lassoing are
seen at their best at 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 pro-
prietor's name. Friends and neighbors
come together from afar, and vie with
one another in the display of dexterity
and Observation-Disclosures Saturday
ReUieU