Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-12-21
A DARING FEAT.

We had Just witnessed Mexican bull
fight. Even that exciting scene, however,
had proved rather dull and unsatisfactory
to the fiery audience, and at the close the
clown from the center OF the ring an
nounced:
Tomorrow at O'Clock Senior Cabaero
will check his horse while riding at full
gallon on the brink of yonder cliff"
within two lengths of the brow?" came
from the audience.
'Within two lengths-withinf five feet"
The establishment created by this an
nouncement held the audience for some
moments in silence. 1t was proposal of
such reckless daring that it was difficult to
believe the maker of it was in earnest
The cliff to which the clown had pointed
was part of the bluff that hemmed in the
valley 1t was sort of promontory, how
ever, that jutted out from the general line,
so as to be conspicuous object from the
plain below. Its brow was of equal height
with the rest of the precipice, of which it
was a sort of buttress, and a grassy turf
that appeared along its edge was the con-
tinuation of the upper plateau. Its front
to the valley was verticle, without terrace
or ledge although horizontal seams trav-
ersing its face showed a stratifled forma-
ton. From the sward upon the valley to
that upon the heights was 600 feet. 10
gaze up at the precipice was trial to deli
cate nerves; to look down put the stoutest
to proof
The next day at the appointed hour a
surging crowd in the valley stood watch
ing Senior Cabalero on the cliff.
Every motion was noted. He first alight-
ed from the saddle, stripped off his manga
and carried l., back and placed it out of the
way. He next looked to his spurs to see
that the straps were properly buckied.
After this be retied his sash and set his
sombrero firmly on his head. He buttoned
his velveted olizoneros down nearly to his
ankles, so that their leather buttonings
might not fan open and discommode him.
His hunting knife or dirk, along with his
whip, he gave to Don Juan.
Senior Cabalero next turned to his horse,
which stood at this time with his neck
curved proudly as though he OWNED that
he was to be called upon for some signal
service. The bride was first scrutinizcd.
The great bit, mameluke, was carefully
examined lest there be some flaw or crack
in the steel. The headstrap was buckled
to proper tightness, and then the reins were
infinitely scanned. These were made OF
the hair of horses TAIL closely and neatly
plated. The saddle now had its turn
Passing from side to side the athlete TIED
both stirrup feathers and examined thu
great wooden blocks which formed the stir
rups. The girth was the last as well as thu
most important object of his solicitude
| He loosened the buckles on both sides ant
then frightened them, using his knee to eff
feet his purpose. When drawn to his lik
ing, the tip of his finger could not hav
been passed under the strong leather band
No wonder the horseman observed all thl
caution, as the swapping OF strap or tn
slipping of buckle at the critical momen
might hurl him into eternity. Having sat
isfled himself that all was right, he gath
cred up the reins and leaped gayly into tn
saddle.
He first directed his horse in q walk alon
| the edge of the cliff, within few feet OF 1t
edge This was to steady the nerves
both himself and the animal. Present.
the walk became trot, and then gentl
canter. Even this was an exhibition feal
full to behold, and many Mexican gaze
breathlessly.
After awhlle ne heaoeu pack .o""ru VI
plain, and then stretching into gallon
the gait in which he intended TO appfoac
the cliff, he suddenly relned up, SO as
throw his horse nearly on MS nauncne
Again he resumed the gallop' again reinln
up, and this maneuver ne repeated ABOUT
dozen times, now with his horses hea
turned toward the cllff and now IN tne
rection OF the plain.
AT last Senior Cabalero was seen TO tui
his horses head toward tne proJectlmR Gu
and take firm seat IN tne sadole; Inc q
termined pose OF his mead showed that u
moment had come Tor the maj tral' !,
slight touch OF the spurs started tne hoo
steed, and IN another moment ne was In iu
gallop straight toward tne Drink OF ohe GU
The noisy MeAlcans grew suddenly slieh
bfeathless' Inc suspense however, was
short duratlon. Inc swl1o stIlaes ha
brought horse ana rloer close 10 tne verge.
within hall dozen lengths. iet inc rel
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