So skillful were these men in their business, that a herd of cattle, which, in the hands of any one else, would have proved utterly unmanageable, was driven about by them with perfect ease.

Sometimes it became necessary to secure a single member of these droves.

Perhaps the housekeeper wanted some fresh meat for dinner, or Uncle James desired a new riding horse; in either case, the services of these men were invaluable.

Mr.Winters would issue the necessary orders to Carlos--who was the chief of the Rancheros, and the man who managed the farm during the absence of his employer--and an hour or two afterward four quarters of fine beef would be carried into the cellar, or Mr.Winters would be requested to step to the door and see if they had captured the horse he wanted.

The Rancheros accomplished this with their lassos, which they carried suspended from the horns of their saddles wherever they went.