Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-05-02


live-oaks in the San Gabriel valley
California. They came from large
ranch down the country, and were go,
ing to Los Angeles for the annual
fiesta. Their saddles were of leather,
richly chased, after the Spanish fash
ion. The pommel of one was of silver,
the rim of the saddle of the same, and
even the bride was of silver, the bit
being handsomely inlaid.
The riders wore big, broad-brimmed
hats, or sombreros, with silver bands,
richly colored trousers and botas
while each carried a gay blanket, or
serape, which had hole for the neck,
to be used If occasion required This,
with long horsehair reata, or lariat
tied near the pommel, made up as
picturesque costume as one could
imagine.
The country was succession of
parks, with clumps of fine old oaks,
whose long branches and limbs offered
grateful shade. Occasionally there
were patches of bush and chaparral,
giving way again to the open spots
where the yellow fox-tail grass
cleaned like gold, or the wild oat
rippled in the summer sun. Through
such scenes of pastoral beauty the
light-hearted horsemen were riding,
passing the time with jokes and ban
ter, when suddenly Jose Salvadea,
who was ahead, stopped SO abruptly
that his horse fell back on his
launches, and motioned to the others
for quiet. All drew rein, and, follow
Al. e 1. 80, ia
saw n singular sight.
In little clearing, where the alfi-
laria had been green and rank in win.
ter, but was now a chocolate-colored
mass upon the ground, under four or
five large trees, were two gigantic
birds, so tall, SO black and ugly with
al, that they might have been carl ca
lures of birds. One was tearing at
sheep, while the other, evidently hav-
ing dined to its content, stood by, its
enormous wings extended, showing a
Apread of nine or ten feet. 1t was one
of the rarest birds of America-the
great California condor-caught in the
very act of filching from the owners of
the sofia bird that has the reputa-
tion of devouring n sheep day when
opportunity offered.
The loss of sheep, or a dozen,
amounted to little, but it was the sport
of taking the great bird that attracted
the horsemen, and as quietly as possi-
BILE they united their reatas, released
and enlarged the coil, and waited for
the word.
They held the rope in the right hand,
so that the moose, about four feet in
length, hung free, and at the word,
given by Juan, they put spurs to their
horses and dashed at the birds.
The latter were taken completely by
surprise. One clumsily attempted
fight and rose few feet from the
ground, when reata went WHEELING
through the air, dropping over it's
neck, a pull bringing it to earth. The
other bird, stupefied by it's stolen
feast. fell an easy victim, two reatas
falling over it, one dropping over it's
head, the other securing it's wing. As
the ropes fell the men raised shout.
The horses, trained in their runs after
stock, braced back, expecting the
hard pull which bullock gives when
lassoed; but instead came remark
able series of struggles. The condor
caught by the head ran short dis
tance with curious, hopping motion,
then with a violent effort beat the
ground and the air with it's powerful
wings, raising itself several feet into
the air. The sight of the enormous
bird. its waving wings, it's uncanny
appearance, SO demoralized the horses
that they snorted, bucked and en-
deavored to run away. But they
were quickly subdued and the flying
condor was brought down with jerk
and the two birds were surrounded by
the excited riders
Then followed Curious exhibition.