and hearts crushed, in a land where thou art
not! where the myrmidons of tyranny have power to thwart the purpose of
a life, or arrest the natural flow of its affections!

Several games were yet carried on upon the plain, but they were without
general interest. The splendid feat of the cibolero had eclipsed all
lesser exhibitions for the time; besides, a number of the head men were
out of humour. Vizcarra was sad, and Roblado savage--jealous of
Catalina. The alcalde and his assistant were in a vexed state, as both
had bet heavy sums on the red cock. Both the padres had lost at
_monte_, and they were no longer in a Christian spirit. The cura alone
was in good spirits, and ready to back the "pardo" for another main.

The concluding game was at length heralded. It was to be the "_Correr
el gallo_" (running the cock). As this is rather an exciting sport, the
"_monte_" tables and other minor amusements were once more put aside;
and all prepared to watch "el gallo."

"Running the cock" is a New Mexican game in all its characteristics. It
is easily described. Thus: A cock is suspended by the limbs to a
horizontal branch, at just such a height that a mounted man may lay hold
of his head and neck hanging downward. The bird is fastened in such a
manner that a smart pluck will detach him from the tree; while, to
render this the more difficult, both head and neck are well covered with
soap. The horseman must be in full gallop while passing under the
branch; and he who succeeds in plucking down the cock is pursued by all
the others, who endeavour to rob him of the prize. He has a fixed point
to run round, and his goal is the tree from which he started. Sometimes
he is over, taken before reaching this, the cock snatched from him,--or,
as not infrequently happens, torn to pieces in the contest. Should he
succeed in getting back--still retaining the bird entire--he is then
declared victor. The scene ends by his laying his prize at the feet of
his mistress; and she--usually some pretty poblana--appears that same
evening at the fandango with the feathered trophy under her arm--thus
signifying her appreciation of the compliment paid her, as well as
giving to the _fandangueros_ ocular proof of the fact that some skilful
horseman is her admirer. It is a cruel sport, for it must be remembered
that the poor cock who undergoes all this plucking and mangling is a
_living bird_! It is doubtful whether a thought of the _cruelty