Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-22
THE MEXICAN COWBOY.
How He Rounds Up the Antelope and
Subdues the wild Bull.
When a sewer is ciogsed-

From the Mexican Herald.
I'm travelling over a long strip OF prairie
where thousands of horses and cattle were
feeding on the luxuriant grasses" writes
a hunter of long experience DIR. f. J. Tous-
saint, from the province of Sonora, Mexico.
1--WE came to a camp where a cattle round
up was in progress. One of the cowboys
headed off flock of twenty-five antelopes
and drove them among the herd Of 600
cattle that were scattered about feeding.
In a few moments every cowboy in camp
was in the saddle. and, lasso in hand, be-
gan riding in a circle around the cattle.
slowly driving them to a center and crowd
ing them around the antelope. Several or
my party were stationed at opposite sides
of the herd with instructions not to shoot
at the antelope until they had well cleared
the whole outfit. Twice a part OF the
bunch made a break for the open, but re-
turned again to the rest of the flock. The
flock moved about among the cattle that
gradually closed in around them until the
curious little animals could not be seen by
any of the men.
Excitement was converted into sus-
pense. Every rider as he passed me was
anxiousiy looking among the cattle. ner-
vously swinging his lasso to and fro at the
side of his horse Suddenly from the south
side of the bunch of cattle two of the boys
yelled: Here they go"
AT the same time the antelope bounded
into the open field Immediately four OF
the boys sank their spurs deep into the
TANKS of their wiry little horses and gave
chase, swinging their lassos in a circle over
their heads. Two men came from each
side and appeared to be riding to head
them off. After running about 400 yards.
the foremost rider turned toward the ante
lope and the next instant II looked as IL he
was among them. His lasso shot into the
air, then dove down. Every man was yell
ing as only cowboys can. A moment more
and the race was over The loop had fallen
short of Its mark, and the neet-footed little
animals had bounded beyond the reach of
their pursuers.
zone of the rifiemen. who galloped down
the prairie, now stopped his horse, jumped
to the ground, and resting one elbow on
his knee to steady his gun. fired 1t was a
long range shot, but one of the antelope
dropped back and soon lay down. and was
dead when We reached 1T
In his journeyfngs over the grazing coun-
try Dr. Toussaint has had several oppor-
tunities to see the Mexican cowboy he
is at home and at his best. AT riding
bucking horses. throwing the lasso and
bullfighting," he says. they are experts.
Pancho. who is recognized as the most eK-
pert and daring lasso thrower and rider
In these parts. Is a typical Mexican cow
boy. He was dressed day or two ago.
when saw him on his native heath, in fun
Mexican style-high- boots, large
spurs. spangled and frilled leather leggins.
short, close-fitting jacket large, broad
brimmed and silver-braided hat. He made
rather attractive figure as he gracefully
rode his prancing, fiery little horse adorned
with silver-mounted saddle and bride, up
to our dinner camp.
He told us in the majestic language of
Castie-for he seemed to be something OF
an orator-that he never saw the horse
COW or bull that he dared not ride, and to
make good his assertion he rode into a
herd of cattle that was feeding close by
and singled out a four-year-old bull that
had not been handled by man since the
time in his canicular days when he was
roped and thrown to be branded. Soon they
ofr1p Of fff11 +t,a l..1I
vance, the horseman close behind. After a
short run, in which Pancho had an oppor-
tunity to display his fine horsemanship, the
bull was turned toward our camp. On they
came at full speed directly toward us the
cowboy a little behind and at the left OF
the rushing bull, swinging his lasso in a
circle over his head.
when they were within fifty yards we
all jumped to our feet, shouting and wav-
ing our hats. hoping to turn the animal and
save the tinware and dinner. Our alarm
was premature, however. The next mo-
ment the lasso shot forward over the bulls
shoulders, one part of the loop striking the
ground in front OF the bull and the other
part on his breast. Both front feet went
around the legs Giving the lasso two turns
around the pommel of the saddle, Pancho
stopped his weil-trained horse, which
braced for the jerk that came when the
bull had the full length OF the lasso The
bull was thrown violently to the ground.
Pancho jumped to the ground, ran to the
bull and tied the forelegs together Then.
tying rope around the bulls body. he re-
moved the lasso. Up jumped the bull and
away he went, with Pancho on his back.
holding on to the rope. In his frantic ef-
forts to get rid Of his rider the Infatuated
Dull ran nrst In one direction and then I'm
another. bucking. kicking and bellowine.
but all in vain, for Pancho stuck like glue
When he slowed down into trot and
headed for the herd the rider slipped to the
ground and came back to camp to receive
the congratulations of his admirers who
appeared to be as proud of the feat as
Pancho was"