Hundreds of horses and mules mingled with the herd; and we could distinguish a couple of leather-clad _vaqueros_ (herdsmen) galloping from point to point on their swift mustangs.
These, as we appeared upon the ridge, dashed out after a wild bull that had just escaped from the corral.
All five--the vaqueros, the mustangs, and the bull--swept over the prairie like wind, the bull bellowing with rage and terror; while the vaqueros were yelling in his rear, and whirling their long lazos.

Their straight black hair floating in the wind--their swarthy, Arab-like faces--their high Spanish hats--their red leather calzoneros, buttoned up the sides--their huge jingling spurs, and the ornamental trappings of their deep saddles--all these, combined with the perfect _manege_ of their dashing steeds, and the wild excitement of the chase in which they were engaged, rendered them objects of picturesque interest; and we halted a moment to witness the result.
The bull came rushing past within fifty paces of where we stood, snorting with rage, and tossing his horns high in the air--his pursuers close upon him.

At this moment one of the vaqueros launched his lazo, which, floating gracefully out, settled down over one horn.

Seeing this, the vaquero did not turn his horse, but sat facing the bull, and permitted the rope to run out.

It was soon carried taut; and, scarcely checking the animal, it slipped along the smooth horn and spun out into the air.