The diamond drill., 1888-12-29
A LAssooING LESSON.



chickens, and other domestic prod
nce. II was in the Berryessa district.
a few miles northeast OF San Jose.
and seven miles from Alviso. at the
head Of San Francisco bay nayiga-
tion.
One day, early la August. was out
In the mountains east Of the valley,
hunting after my favorite saddle
horse. | was on foot, and carried a
''riatta" In my hand genuine Span
ish lasso made os rawhide, same as Is
universally made by Mexicans, native
Californians, and .'yacqueros" gener-
ally. All had To do when | found
my horse was 10 throw the riatta over
his head, take half-hitch around his
nose, leap upon his back, and ride
home. But did not find my horse
After tramp Of three or -four hours
/ was getting back homeward, hungry
and tired AS passed down through
the foothills just east of Niles ranch.
spied somebody sitting on "A rock. He
was "A queer-looking gentleman, of
medium stature. with gray coat,
light felt hat. white whiskers away
under his chin. and peculiar look
hand and was SO busily engaged in
writing that he did not notice my APP
proach until | was within few feet
Of him.
To my. .salutation OF Good evening.
sir, he conrteOusly responded; then
said; Are you acquainted around
here. sir?"
Yes, sir. for some years past.
am ranching just below yonder, where
you see that big evergreen tree.
The whole valley lay spread out in
pastoral panoramic beauty, checkered
of into neatly fenced farms, with
lovely groves. orchards, vineyards.
cottage dwellings, and farm-houses
scattered all over the landscape.
Nov that's Alyiso. said he. "but
what road is that running south from
il among the trees2'
That's the Santa Clara road, sir.
and the town you see there among the
trees is Santa Clara. where the old
Mission church is, and the old orchard.
established by the Jesuit fathers a
hundred years ago.
He noted this down and asked:
What's that heavy row Of trees be-
yond Santa Clara, To the south
wardp"
That's the Alameda. beautiful
shaded road three miles long. from
Santa Clara TO the pueblo. or city. OF
San Jose. II has two rows of shade
trees on each side. planted about a
hundred years ago by the native In
dians. under the direction of the
priests. Every Sunday this road used
10 be swept clean, and the holy faith
ers, or padres, with their congrcga-
tion, used to march in procession from
the pueblo to the church at the Mission
for divine service. That's San Jose
that YOU see of 10 the left
''Yes, know; ! was there yestcr-
day. It's very nice town
He eyed me somewhat curiously and
remarked: That's what they call a
lasso, isn't itp"
"Yes, sir. I've been out hunting
after a stray horse. but couldn't find
him, so I'm just getting home. I'll get
after him on horseback tomorrow.
but always thought the lasso had
te be used exclusively by "A man on
horseback. How would You run n
horse down on foot aud catch him
With that rope?'
Dear me, no; | wouldn't run after
the horse at all. I'd just approach
him quietly, speak To him gently. and
slip the rope over his neck. But il he
tried 10 play shy Id just throw the
loop OF the lasso open. this way, and
drag il along behind me thus. watch
my chance. and give IL a side east this
way, getting il over his head before he
had achance 10 dodge
The old gent had been sitting sort of
sideways on the rock all this time,
from some peculiar reason. as hc sub
sequently explained, but right here he
arose, laid down his notebook ex-
claiming: That's good; in fact, 1 may
say cleyerly done. II you can lasso a
wild Texas steer as well as you did
that bush. all you have 10 do is to go
down into Colorado or New Mexico
and make your fortune. Let me try
that"
''All right, sir. hold IL just this way
and swing IL few times around
your head after the regular horseback
style. and give il a east over the crit
ter's horns. like this.
81 see" SAID the old chap. with an in-
creased twinkle of his pleasant gray
eyes. Here goes for you; you just
stand still "
Ills cast was eminently successful.
for he caught himself by the left leg
and right shoulder.
Bravo said L. That's fancy
scast to catch the animal by the shank.
" takes an experienced vacqucro 20 do
that. II You hadn't raised your hoof
just as you threw You couldn't have
done H. That's chance they have to
watch.
"Aii right but see here now; just