"The herdsmen--gauchos, as they are called--are generally mounted on horseback when they use the la.s.so. One end of the thong is attached to the saddle; the remainder is coiled in the left hand, except about twelve feet belonging to the noose end, which is held in a coil in the right hand.
"This long noose is then swung around the head, the weight of the iron ring at the end of the noose a.s.sisting in giving to it, by a continued circular motion, a sufficient force to project it the whole length of the line.
"The gauchos drive the wild horses into a corral, which is a circular s.p.a.ce surrounded by rough posts firmly driven into the ground. The corral," relates Miers, "was quite full of horses, most of which were young ones about two or three years old.
"The chief gaucho, mounted on a strong, steady horse, rode into the corral, and threw his la.s.so over the neck of a young horse and dragged him to the gate.
"For some time he was very unwilling to lose his companions; but the moment he was forced out of the corral his first idea was to gallop away; however, a timely jerk of the la.s.so checked him.
"Some of the gauchos now ran after him on foot, and threw a la.s.so over his fore legs, and jerking it, they pulled his legs from under him so suddenly that I really thought the fall had killed him.
"In an instant a gaucho was seated on his head. They then put a piece of hide in his mouth to serve for a bit, and a strong hide halter on his head, and allowed him to get on his feet.
"While two men held the horse by his ears, the gaucho who was to mount him fastened on the saddle, and then quickly sprung into it.
"The horse instantly began to jump in a manner which made it very difficult for the rider to keep his seat; however, the gaucho"s spurs soon set him going, and off he galloped, doing every thing in his power to throw his rider.
"Then another horse was brought from the corral; and so quickly was every thing done that twelve gauchos were mounted in less than an hour.
"It was wonderful to see the different manner in which different horses behaved. Some would actually scream while the gauchos were fastening the saddle upon their backs, and some would instantly lie down and roll upon it.
"Others would stand without being held, their legs stiff and in unnatural positions, their necks half bent towards their tails, and looking vicious and obstinate.
"It was now curious to look around and see the gauchos trying to bring their horses back to the corral, which is the most difficult part of their work, for the poor creatures had been so scared there that they were unwilling to return to the place.
"At last they brought the horses back, apparently subdued and broken in.
The saddles and bridles were taken off, and the young horses trotted off towards the corral, neighing to one another.
"When a gaucho wishes to take a wild horse, he mounts a horse that has been used to the sport, and gallops over the plain.
"As soon as he comes near his victim, the la.s.so is thrown round the two hind-legs, and as the gaucho rides a little on one side, the jerk throws the wild horse without doing injury to his knees or his face.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
"Before the horse can recover from the shock, the rider dismounts, and s.n.a.t.c.hing his cloak from his shoulders, wraps it round the fallen animal"s head.
"He then forces into his mouth one of the powerful bridles of the country, fastens a saddle on his back, and, mounting him, removes the cloak.
"Upon this the astonished horse springs to his feet, and attempts to throw off his new master, who sits calmly on his back.
"By a treatment which never fails, the gaucho brings the horse to such complete obedience that he is soon trained to give his whole speed and strength to the capture of his companions."
Directions for Reading.--Let pupils p.r.o.nounce in concert, and singly, the following words: _I, hide, side, rides, flight, wild, finds, retire, describe_.
Mark the inflection of the last six lines of poetry on page 256.[15]
What _inflection_ is used (1) to keep up the interest?--(2) to show hesitation?--(3) to express a decided opinion?--(4) to give the conclusion of a story?--(5) to ask a question that may be answered by _yes_ or _no_?--(6) to ask a question that can not be answered by _yes_ or _no_?
Let pupils state the special uses of _inflection_ shown in the following examples.
I, I think perhaps you may go.
I know that you may go.
They silently went away.
Yesterday, about three o"clock, just as we were preparing to go home, suddenly we heard a band of music.
[15] This lesson.
LESSON LV.
career", _course of life_.
gen"erous, _free in giving aid to others_.
char"ity, _goodwill; desire to aid others_.
in her"ited, _came into possession of_.
in jus"tice, _wrong-doing_.
ac cused", _charged with a fault_.
hes i ta"tion, _delay_.
pre scrip"tion, _an order for medicine_.
flor"ins, _pieces of money, each valued at about fifty cents_.
pen"sion, _money paid for service in war_.
re stor"ing, _giving back_.
phy si"cian, _doctor of medicine_.