THE RODEO.
We had long been impatiently awaiting the command for a general turnout
and chase among the legions of wild cattle grazing in the far horizon;
and when at length the day was appointed for a _rodeo_ or grand hunt,
the universal gratification was boundless.
It is customary in all large cattle farms to assemble from time to time
the cattle of certain districts for the purpose of selecting those which
require branding and marking, and also to allow the neighboring farmers
to separate from the herds many stray animals belonging to them, which,
from the open nature of the plains, it is impossible to keep within the
boundaries of their own savannas. This operation cannot be accomplished
without a great number of able and expert riders, who, on a given day,
surround a large area of country and drive toward one centre all the
cattle that may be found within the selected space. An extended circle
or ring is thus formed, enclosing a great horde of wild animals; these
are kept in check by the well-concerted evolutions of the _vaqueros_
until the appointed rendezvous is reached, where, after allowing the
cattle to cool down, the different brands are selected; hence the name
of _rodeo_, from _rodear_, to surround.
The object on this occasion was not only to separate all the calves that
required branding, but also to collect a large drove of oxen, so as to
furnish our extensive potreros of San Pablo de Paya with marketable
beeves.
Our first foray against the horned tenants of the wilderness would thus
assume an importance seldom witnessed in that retired corner of the
republic; as also in addition to our own force, we counted upon the
assistance of the vaqueros from the neighboring cattle farms of
Caucagua, La Yagua, and others bordering these savannas. Due notice was
accordingly sent to the respective owners of those estates to muster on
a certain day all their forces upon the field.
The area selected for the hunt embraced at least fifteen miles _à la
ronde_. The hunters, in squads of six or eight, proceeded on the
afternoon of the day before the hunt to their stations at various points
of the savanna, having instructions to start at early dawn for the
appointed centre. We of the staff made a simultaneous move from the
house, driving before us, without distinction, all the animals we
encountered on the route. The cattle being so unexpectedly roused from
their slumbers, naturally endeavored to fly from their pursuers. Soon,
however, meeting those from opposite directions, they whirled in mad
despair, vainly endeavoring to break through the extended line of
horsemen, who were constantly galloping about the struggling mass with
shouts and thrusts from their steel-pointed _garrochas_.
At the commencement it was a truly interesting sight to watch the many
groups of cattle, deer, wild boars, dogs, foxes, and other wild
quadrupeds coming in from all directions as if impelled by one common
instinct; but no sooner did that living ring commence closing upon them,
than, scared by the confusion and uproar of the scene, their terror
quickly grew to frenzy, and they ran from side to side bellowing,
grunting, howling as they went. Solely intent upon the danger that
menaced them, the mother forgot her offspring, and listened no more to
their painful lamentations; the lover abandoned his beloved, seeking
only his own safety in disgraceful flight; and even the fierce bull,
forgetting for a moment that he is sovereign of those realms, lost his
natural spirit of brave defiance, and rushed blindly off in the train of
the frightened multitude. As if to increase the grandeur of the
spectacle, a _garzero_, which had established itself on the borders of a
creek hard by, also caught the alarm, and at our approach flew up in the
air with a tremendous crashing of wing and bill, leaving their young to
care for themselves, and with their discordant and piercing cries to
swell the uproar of the scene. It is impossible to convey an adequate
idea of this vast multitude of frightened cranes and herons of all sorts
which fluttered overhead at that moment; so great was their number that
they spread over an extent of several miles, and actually for a time
cast a deep shadow over the landscape.
Not less than eight or ten thousand head of cattle were brought within
the ring formed of more than a hundred horsemen, who, in preventing the
escape of the animals, were compelled to expose themselves and their
noble steeds to the vindictiveness of the bulls, which were constantly
rushing upon the lines in their endeavors to regain the open prairie.
Whenever this was attempted, a horseman galloped boldly upon the
fugitive, and by interposing himself between the open field and the
bull, forced the latter back to the herd. Wonderfully adroit were the
herdsmen in their avoidance of the repeated strokes aimed at them by the
bulls, even when it appeared impossible to escape being caught between
the animal’s horns. The _garrocha_ played an important part in repelling
these attacks. This instrument, only second in importance to the lazo
when in the hands of expert riders, is made of the slender, yet tough
stem, of the _alvarico_ palm, (ænocarpus cubarro,) by merely sharpening
the top end to a point, or surmounting it with an iron head, around
which a number of loose rings of the same metal are affixed; these, when
shaken close to the animal’s ear, frighten him off with the rattling
sound they produce. The shaft of the goad is fully ten feet long, and
although not thicker than a walking-stick, can bear an immense amount of
pressure without breaking. As a weapon of aggression, this slender palm
stem has become justly celebrated throughout the country, from the fact
of having supplied the primitive bands of patriots who first dared to
oppose the tyrannical rule of Spain with ready-made lances in the
wilderness. The manner in which Llaneros make use of the garrocha is
quite extraordinary. When in pursuit of a bull which they purpose
turning back to the _rodeo_, if the animal be swifter than the horse,
the rider always manages to reach him with the point of his spear. This
he thrusts into the bull’s hide, just above the shoulder-blade, and then
leans forward and rests the whole weight of his body upon the shaft,
assisted in it by his intelligent charger. The equilibrium of the bull
is thus usually destroyed, and he rolls headlong upon the ground. These
falls are often sufficient to prevent further attempts at escape, in
which case the bull is easily led into the _rodeo_. This performance,
however, is one of the most dangerous practised among Llaneros, and is
undertaken only by the most skilful and experienced riders, as, should
the spear glance off while the hunter is leaning upon it, or should he
happen to overturn the bull in front of his horse, he will in either
case receive a terrific fall, and in the latter event, probably come
into collision with the fallen animal.
From the midst, and above all the heads of that tumultuous assemblage of
wild animals, rose the shaggy frontlet of a black bull, whose martial
air and fearless step seemed to proclaim him the patriarch of the herd.
An experienced Llanero, intently watching all his movements from afar,
observed to those near him, that they would soon have fresh sport; and
that “if any one prized the skin of his horse, he would do well to look
to his spurs;” meaning that the black bull evidently intended mischief.
Mr. Thomas, who was busily sketching the novel scene before him,
unaccustomed to the jargon of the Llanos, did not understand this
remark, and therefore quietly continued his occupation. The next moment
the bull was in our midst, charging first upon Captain Valor, one of the
best riders on the field, who, in spite of his name, hastily spurred his
steed out of reach; but the bull still pursuing, charged again and again
upon him, and doubtless the last attempt would have been fatal to either
horse or cavalier, had not the bull been checked in his final onset by
accidentally plunging one of his legs into the hole of an armadillo,
which fortunate circumstance gave the captain time to distance his
pursuer. The bull next sought to vent his rage on the incautious artist,
who, one leg crossed over the neck of his horse as support for his
sketch-book, sat evidently absorbed in contemplation of the powerful and
daring brute, with whose ferocious nature he was totally unacquainted.
Having never before attended sports of the kind, my friend paid little
regard to the menacing attitude of the animal, who rushed upon him with
a fearful bellow that made us tremble for his fate. But for some
unaccountable reason, the bull after one or two ineffectual attempts to
strike his intended victim, wheeled about and disappeared among the
tangled jungle bordering the creek, apparently indignant at the
nonchalance with which John Bull received the advances of his namesake.
Fearing the recurrence of similar attacks, which might have a less
fortunate termination, it was decided to disembarrass ourselves of so
uncomfortable a neighbor; with this object, the requisite number of
horsemen provided with lazos were sent to capture and subdue him.
Instead of seeking safety in precipitate flight, as is generally the
case with wild bulls, this one unflinchingly stood his ground, and
neither shouts nor menaces could induce him to abandon the threatening
attitude he had assumed. It was indeed a splendid sight to behold that
proud monarch of the horned tribe bidding defiance to all about him, his
huge and shaggy head, surmounted by a pair of pointed, powerful horns,
high in air, and with an expression of countenance that was almost
diabolical. His savage upper lip looked as if curled in contempt of his
antagonists, and his eyes gleamed with fury in the light of the morning
sun. Occasionally with his fore feet he ploughed up the earth, which,
falling in showers upon him, he swept from his sides with his tail,
uttering all the while a sort of suppressed roar resembling distant
thunder. Then came the furious charge, when every one was compelled to
run for his life, as nothing could arrest his headlong course. Blinded
with rage, he spared not even those of his own species, killing two
heifers instantly, and wounding a bull so severely that he died shortly
afterward. Each time the men whirled the lazo to throw it over his head,
he dashed forward with such rapidity as to disconcert their aim, until,
finally, a bold and agile sambo, Sarmiento by name, who acted as
caporal, and of whom we shall say more hereafter, dismounting from his
horse and seizing the red blanket from his saddle, prepared to face the
bull without the encumbrance of the lazo. His intention was to bewilder
or _torear_ him by a succession of such feats of agility as are usually
practised by matadors in bull fights; and so successful was he, that in
one of the animal’s furious charges, he succeeded in grasping and
holding his tail; and in spite of the efforts the bull made to strike
him with his horns, Sarmiento followed his movements so closely, that by
a dexterous twist of the tail he succeeded in overthrowing the brute
upon his side; he then drew the tail between the hind legs, and as this
completely deprives the animal of all power of rising, he was enabled to
hold him until others came to his assistance. Then, to prevent further
mischief, the men proceeded to saw off the tops of his horns and to
perform upon him other usual operations. These precautions, however,
proved quite unnecessary, as the bull, exhausted by rage and loss of
blood, shortly afterward dropped upon the ground and expired.
In spite of the vigilance and constant efforts of the men to keep the
animals within the _rodeo_, several other bulls managed to break through
the ranks. The only method of bringing them back was by using the
all-potent lazo, and two men, one of them thus equipped, were despatched
after the fugitive, which on being noosed, was by the second man
speedily thrown upon his side by means of that dangerous appendage, the
tail, in the management of which the Llaneros of Venezuela are so
famous. This accomplished, they pierced the thick cartilage which
divides the nostrils with the point of a dagger; one end of the thong
was then passed through the wound, while the other remained fastened to
the horse’s tail; the Llanero, then mounting his steed, jerked the end
attached to the bull, which brought the prostrate beast at once to his
feet, when he was marched off to his destination without further
trouble, literally led by the nose.
Another method of arresting a bull in his flight, is by a bold
manœuvre termed _colear_, and which consists, as already stated, in
availing themselves of the animal’s tail to overthrow him when at full
speed; but that is not easy of accomplishment, as the bull has then such
entire freedom of movement. The horse also must be perfectly well
trained to these hazardous undertakings, and should obey instantly the
slightest pull of the bit; for if the bull turns suddenly upon his
pursuer, the chances are ten to one that the horse will be severely
wounded. The rider first gallops close to the rear of the bull, and
seizing his tail with one hand, gives it a turn or two around his wrist
to prevent its slipping. When thus prepared, he urges his horse forward,
until the heads of the two animals are on a “dead-heat;” then quickly
turning in an oblique direction, and exerting all his strength, he pulls
the bull toward him, and does not relinquish his hold until he perceives
that the enemy is tottering, when he is easily overthrown from the great
impetus imparted by their rapid pace. Some men are so dexterous that
they can colear with both hands at the same time; which necessarily
gives greater power over the bull, enabling the rider to bring him down
much more readily. The horse, in this case, left to his own well-taught
guidance, assists the manœuvres of his rider, pushing forward at the
instant he perceives that his master is prepared for the pull, and
turning about also at the right moment. How wonderful the instinct of
these noble creatures! that teaches them so readily the importance of
the slightest movement, on which often depends, not only the success of
the enterprise, but their own safety, as well as that of their masters.
If too powerful resistance is offered at the outset by the bull, as is
sometimes the case, the rider still clings to the tail of his adversary,
and throwing himself off his horse while at full speed, the impetus
combined with his weight and strength never fail in bringing the bull
like a fallen giant to the ground; then the man quickly drawing the tail
between the hind legs, awaits the arrival of his companions to assist in
securing the prize.
It was often matter of surprise to me in what manner the Llaneros,
notwithstanding the thorough training of the horses, contrived their
speedy approach to the rear of the bulls, as these were usually
considerably ahead at the start. On one occasion, I was regretting that
my pony was too small to keep pace with the hunters, when one of the
men, who was mounted on a prototype of Rosinante--on which,
nevertheless, he had performed prodigies of strength--turned to me and
said, “_Vaya, niño_, let me show you that this is not the fault of the
horse, but that of the rider;” whereupon we exchanged horses, and off he
went after a powerful bull just escaped. Not many minutes elapsed before
I lost sight of horse and rider in a cloud of dust raised by the beast
in its fall.
Some hours elapsed before the tremendous excitement and confusion of the
wild melée described above had sufficiently subsided to render the forms
of men and cattle visible through the clouds of dust and ashes raised
by the trampling of so many animals. The grass, at this period parched
by the sun and reduced to ashes in various places by the usual
conflagrations, mingled with the dust and rose in dense columns, which
from afar might have been mistaken for the dreaded monsoon.
In the mean while the distracted mothers ran from side to side, lowing
piteously for their missing young. Here and there fierce duellos among
rival bulls took place for the possession of some shaggy one of the
softer sex. Butting their huge fronts together, and goring each other
with their sharp-pointed horns, they fought with the courage and skill
of accomplished gladiators, tearing up the earth in wild fury, and
filling the air with their deep, savage bellowings. A crowd of admirers
from amidst the herd formed a circle around the combatants, and if any
from among their number evinced the least disposition to interfere, he
was immediately chased away by the others, so that there might be fair
play while the fight lasted. Often these encounters proved fatal to one
of the belligerents, as neither will yield the palm without a desperate
resistance.
The bellowing of thousands of animals, with the yells and deafening
shouts of the men galloping about the plain, waving their ponchos and
rattling their _garrochas_, combined to give the scene more the
appearance of a fiendish melodrama, than a purely pastoral assemblage of
men and cattle.
The confusion having at length subsided, four of the ablest horsemen,
penetrating the living mass, which, as they advanced, surged on either
side like the waves of the sea, commenced the difficult task of
separating the animals intended for the brand, and those belonging to
our neighbors. This occasioned another series of evolutions, which only
men trained to such exercises could have accomplished successfully.
It is usual in all cattle-farms to cut a notch or two in the animal’s
ear at the time they are branded, for the purpose of recognizing them
more readily from a distance, a precaution which is particularly
serviceable on occasions like that just described, it being impossible
to read the brand when the creatures are crowded into a herd. Although
most of the calves had not the notch, they belong by right to the owner
of the mother, even if they are found on the lands of another party. Of
it the vaqueros availed themselves in their subsequent apportioning of
the different lots of cattle. This they accomplished in the most
expeditious manner by riding boldly at the animals in question,
hastening or checking their progress through the herd as the case
required. Thus by repeated evolutions of the sort, they finally brought
the animals to the edge of the ring, where an opening was purposely left
for their escape, and then the nearest horseman drove them in among a
small body of tame cattle stationed a short distance from the _rodeo_.
These violent manœuvrings could not be accomplished, however, without
endangering at every step the security of the entire herd. Each time the
drivers turned out an animal the whole mass was thrown into the utmost
confusion, and it required the most consummate skill on the part of the
men to prevent the entire dispersion of the cattle. The fearlessness
with which the drivers plunged into that labyrinth of savage, panting
brutes, advancing close upon the wall of bristling horns which barred
their progress, and boldly driving the infuriated creatures before them
like a pack of sheep, was truly worthy of admiration. The readiness with
which they detected at a distance the mark on the animal’s ears was also
no less noticeable, singling out such at a glance, and immediately
driving them away to their respective groups. When all the brands had
thus been apportioned, each owner proceeded to drive away his own herd.
We found in these cases--as indeed in all similar ones--the assistance
of _madrineros_ or trained oxen, of great service in driving a large
body of cattle across the plains. A dozen of these oxen were sufficient
to lead a vast drove, stopping or advancing at a signal from the
overseer, while the vaqueros kept close watch on rear and flank to
prevent escape and to urge on the cattle, especially the crowd of stray
calves--some of them only a few hours old--which, like a procession of
lost children, kept up a continual bewailing for their mothers as if the
last ray of hope had departed from them. Although their case was indeed
a hard one, and the task of driving them over the rough ground still
harder, we were unwilling to leave them behind, hoping to find their
mammas among the multitude before us. When within a short distance from
the house, we halted to make preparations for the enclosure of the
herds. But one of the most dangerous parts of the proceedings yet
remained, that of forcing the cattle into the corrals.
The entrance to the _majada_--shaped like a great funnel--was, like the
rest of the fences, made of very strong posts, driven into the ground
and barred across at intervals with thick rafters of bamboo. Through
this funnel, or _manga_, the cattle in small lots were driven at full
speed headed by the _madrineros_--those treacherous guides trained to
ensnare their kindred--while the horsemen barricaded the mouth of the
funnel with the breasts of the poor horses. Every thing proceeded
satisfactorily as far as the end of the funnel, the _madrineros_, with
all the cunning of semi-civilized brutes, redoubling their pace at the
moment of entering the great enclosure. Then their wild brethren,
perceiving the treachery, turned upon their captors, and a most fearful
struggle ensued. The bulls, in spite of the deafening shouts of the men,
and the formidable array of _garrochas_ levelled at their heads,
endeavored to force their way back to the open plain, and many of them
actually succeeded in breaking through the barricade of horses. Thus
many noble steeds, which until then had escaped unhurt, met with an
inglorious death. That most of the men escaped unhurt, appeared little
less than miraculous, as not only were they also exposed at every moment
to the vindictive attacks of the bulls, but it often happened that some
of them were unhorsed, when they were in imminent danger of being
trampled by the retreating foe. The superior skill and intrepidity of
man, however, triumphed at length over mere brute resistance, and the
whole herd was in a short time securely quartered in the _majada_.