The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-04
A DUEL ON HORSEBACK.
The Rata the FavoTfte Weapon in Mexico.
A krnLeIi NnclE-

Broken Neck.
MeXlco's infantry is a very poor rabble;
but her cavalry is fine, and these country
towns are the nurseries of this especial
branch of the national arm. The people
take advantage of this skill in horseman-
ship to indulge in most curious trial of
skill between riders, which is, as remarked,
neither more nor less than duel with lar
iats
at the last contest the favoIite was Fer
nandez. He was a dark, olive-cOmplexioned
Mexican Of the Spanish type, and his repu-
tatiOn as lassOoiSt was second to none in
tie land. He was great rider. and bis
mustang the handsomest, perhaps, in all
Mexico. His opponent, tall, six-foot peel
men of his race, was native Of Yucatan,
says Lieutenant Particle, in the Philadel-
phia Record. He came north especially for
such contests, and had many admirers in the
audience. 1t was one of the most
curious and yet strangely interest
ing contests imaginable. Up and down,
passing each other like shots, the
two horsemen dashed, making casts, but al
ways Intellectual, AS each was on his guard
against the skill of the other. At last Fer
nandez set his teeth firmly, and, putting
spurs to his mustang, started like the wind
toward his adversary. The latter prepared
himself for the throw, but miStOok the
others design; for. as he swung past, the
man from Yucatan bent backward over his
p0ny'S TANKS, so that he lay nearly fiat
Now, as it happened, this was precisely
what Fernandez was hoping or. At the
proper moment the Aztec turned his Steed
and went flying on the heels of his ad-
versary. When the latter'S pony. in the act
of leaping, had his hind legs doubled up
under his body, the RATA of Fernandez came
Swishing through the air. the moose settling
snugly around the luins of the beast; but
rlyal la tn punubt biu
of Yucatan at the same time, and pinned
him fast without the ability to move. A.
great shout went up at the feat, and Fer
nandeZ was awarded the contest and attend
ant prizes.
Once before very serious tragedy was
the result of a RATA duel. Two Mexicans,
BOscO and Carrasco, were pitted against
each other, and, as it happened, they were
mortal enemies. The duel had progressed
for some time without advantage on either
side and not word had been spoken. 1t
meant fatal ending to one or the other of
the combatants, for both men were the Bit
terest of enemies and had sworn to take
each others lives. The las soes swung
through the air like lightning, and as fast as
they fell short of the mark they were quickly
jerked in and twirled for another cast. 1t
was certainly the fiercest bloodiess battle
ever recorded. In q swift dash BoSco for an
Instant turned his eyes from the other; but
1t was fatal mistake for him, as CarrascO,
like flash, let fly a deadly moose. which
settled clean and neat over his adversaTy's
head and neck. Quicker than thought Car
rasco jerked his pony short, and swinging
around started off Ike mad in the opposite
direction. Eosco was whirled from his seat
and dragged for nearly hundred yards
over the ground When they picked him up
his neck was broken. Carrasco received
the prizes and plaudits OF the spectators,
and waving his plumed hat in recognition of
the compliment rode out OF the arena a
proud and happy victor.