Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
years of age, dark and handsome, and concerned himself solely with the riding. The catching
and saddling were in the hands of two assistants. These entered the corral, lasso in hand, and
with shouts and waving of the rope caused the horses to gallop wildly round and round until
the object of their search was clear of the others, when the rope was dropped on his neck with
unerring aim. It was almost uncanny the way in which the horse that was wanted divined their
intentions. He would twist and turn about, always keeping two or three other horses between
himself and the men, while the rest appeared to be helping him deliberately. However, in the
long run he was caught and the lasso immediately whipped about a
palenque
(post) in the
middleofthecorral.Ashekickedandstruggledhislegswereropedandhecametoearthwith
a crash. While he was down the
bocado
was slipped into his mouth. This is used instead of a
bit and is simply a strip of raw hide tied firmly round his lower jaw and to which the reins are
attached. Hewas then allowed torise, buthishindlegs were ropedtogether,oneforeleg slung
up and his head tied close to the
palenque
. Then one of the assistants saddled him while the
other looked after the ropes. The cinches were tightened until the unfortunate animal looked
like an early Victorian belle, and when all was ready he was dragged out cautiously on three
legs, the foreleg still slung up, into the open field. Even with only three legs to walk on he
could spare one to kick with, and the men were extremely careful.
GAUCHOS PREPARING AN
'
ASADO
' (
ROAST MEAT
)
Note the stools which are made of the hip-bones of horses
or cows. The man who is standing up is sipping
mate
(tea
made with the leaf of the Paraguayan ilex).
