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Show IN CALIFORNIA. 99 of the chase, I cannot conceive a more perfect type of manly beauty and chivalrous bearing. Such is the force of example, that many of the Americans and other foreigners who had heen residing a little time in the country, and who had had but little previous experience as equestrians, became adn1irable riders, in son1e instances but little inferior to the natives themselves. Our men became such enthusiasts on the subject, that they devoted the greater part of their pay to the purchase of horses and saddles. The manner in which the wild horses of California are tamed is sufficiently curious to merit son1e description. A party of wellmounted horsemen rides out in search of them; and, when they find a sufficient number of them together, they surround and chase them in a body into the co?~rel, where the gate is purposely left open to receive them. Were they to attempt to chase them singly, or even in small numbers, they would find great difficulty in catching them ; but, by driving them in large troops, they are the more willing to F2 |