The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-06-09

ana mere may be seen MexicanS
Indians. Americans and messizos
(mongrels) all dwelling in unity. Each
rancher has q hierro, or estate mark, y
commonly called brand" The
rodeo usually lasts week, sometimes
much longer. 1t begins at stated
ranch and is continued throughout the
cattle district until each ranch has had
its rodeo-the word properly meaning
the place where cattle are gathered"
1t is something on the style of pro-
gressive euehre party in its nomadic
rounds For example. the 'jueces del
campo" decides that the rodoe shall
begin at the ranch of Senior Avila, and
then he designates each succeeding
ranch in the district. ending with that
of Senior Arrillaga, where the final
fandango takes place. Each ranch has
a corral, located on a plain, from one
hundred to two hundred feet square,
formed by driving timbers in the
earth, standing closely together, leav-
ing them six or eight feet in height,
just beyond. the jumping powers
of the cattle. The vaaueros. who
have been ont herding the cattle,
drive them to the corral, where they
enter gate at one corner, and when
all have passed in the gate is closed.
leaving only small opening for one
to pass out at time. In order to in
duce the cattle to enter one of them
has been lassoed and tied to n stake in
the center of the corral, as IL he were
to be offered up as n sacrifice. In a
short time he begins to paw and bel
low, and the herd rush in to see what
is the matter.
they must first be lassoed. They are
stampeded; the herdsmen start in full
chase, yelling as if chasing Indians.
One of them throws the lasso over the
horns, others at the feet, and at sig
nal cry each stops his horse short,
bracing himself backward. and in n
moment the loop becomes taut and the
animal is ensnared. The horses TANKS
are protected from the cattle by leath-
ern armor. The herdsmen have thick
wooden stirrups and leathern armor
for the legs. The lasso is
made firm to ring in the saddle girth,
and after having thrown it the rider
has only to keep his seat. After each
vaquero has ''weeded" out his cattle
they are driven to that particular
ranch, and on the morrow the same
ceremony is gone through with at the
next ranch, and so on throughout the
cattle circuit.
At the conclusion of each days rodeo
and slaughter there is big feed"
A long ia bic runs the entire length of
the adobe building, containing the hot
test of Mexican dishes Chill pepper be-
ing the prcdominating favor) and a
variety of native wines. distilled on
the premises and mellowed by age
pure as the red grape juice can make
it. 1t is noticeable to the Americanos
that condiments are not TO be found on
the Mexican tables. The dishes are
seasoned by the culinary artist,
and it is considered re election
upon his ability to add seasoning
to dish. But these dishes are invaria-
bly, hot enough for the Americanos.
These rodeos are usually feasts-every-
one in the neigh borhood attending, and
many of them make the circuit. The
senior of the ranch entertains all who
come, and, of course, without charge.
There are twenty or thirty herdsmen,
each with three or four horses. and the
of each ranch in the district, |
with his sons and perhaps their friends. |
Ia the late afternoon the young senors |
and senoritas begin to flock in There |
is to be a fandango-s frec-for-all /
dance. They have an opportunity to
dance their national cachuca and La !
Jota to the sweet tones of the violin, |
gnitar and harp. And thus ends the
iaE's roundup