only confined within a
certain range--the circle of the lazo--and, rising to his feet, with a
furious roar he rushed forward at the crowd. Fortunately the lazo was
not long enough to enable him to reach the spectators on either side;
and again he tumbled back upon his haunches. There was a scattering on
all sides, as it was feared he might still slip the noose; but the
horsemen had now come up. Fresh lazoes were wound about his neck,
others tripped up his legs, and he was at length flung violently upon
the ground and his quarters well stretched.

He was now completely conquered, and would run no more; and as but two
bulls had been provided for the occasion, the "coleo de toros" was for
that day at an end.

Several lesser feats of horsemanship were next exhibited, while
preparations were being made for another of the grand games of the day.
Those were by way of interlude, and were of various kinds. One was
throwing the lazo upon the foot of a person running at full speed,
noosing him around the ankle, and of course tripping him up. This was
done by men both mounted and afoot; and so many accomplished it, that it
could hardly be deemed a "feat:" nor was it regarded as such among the
more skilful, who disdained to take part in it.

Picking up the hat was next exhibited. This consisted in the rider
throwing his hat upon the ground, and then recovering it from the
saddle, while his horse swept past at full gallop. Nearly every rider
on the spot was equal to this feat, and only the younger ones looked
upon it as a proof of skill. Of these some twenty could now be seen
wheeling about at a gallop and ducking down for their sombreros, which
they had previously dropped.

But it is not so easy to pick up smaller objects, and a piece of coin
lying flat upon the ground tries the skill of the best "cavallero."

The Comandante Vizcarra now stepped forth and commanded silence.
Placing a Spanish dollar upon the smooth turf, he called out--

"This to the man who can take it up at the first trial. Five gold onzas
that Sergeant Gomez will perform the feat!"

There was silence for a while. Five gold "onzas" (doubloons) was a
large sum of money. Only a "rico" could afford to lose such a sum.

After a pause, however, there came a reply. A young ranchero stepped
forth:--

"Colonel Vizcarra," said he, "I will not bet that Sergeant Gomez cannot
perform the feat; but I'll wager there's another on the ground can do it
as we