Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 7.pdf/311

Rh which they retain around the horn of the saddle, which is made very strong and bound firmly upon the horse. The horse, as well as the rider, understands the manner of manoeuvering, and is able to hold the strongest bullock, taking care to watch closely its movements, when it is disposed to make battle, and avoiding its furious passes, until it becomes exhausted or assistance is given to the person who has caught the animal.

These Spaniards are probably equal in horsemanship to any people in the world, the famous Arabs of the Eastern deserts, and the wild Comanches of the great Western prairies, not excepted. Many of their feats are entirely increditable to those who are not well acquainted with their character. We have heard it frequently said, (and it is nearly true,) that the Mexican Spaniard does every thing on horseback and with the lasso. The Californians like most other Mexican Spaniards, are a lazy, indolent and cowardly people, and have neither enterprise nor spirit of improvement in their disposition, they are only a grade above the aborigines, and, like them, they will soon be compelled, from the very nature of things, to yield to the swelling tide of Anglo-Saxon adventure.

Almost every thing which the Californians possess is of the rudest and simplest construction. Among the better class, however, there are many exceptions to the general rule; but the great majority of the Californians, who are of Spanish descent, will be embraced under it. Their houses, which are constructed of mud and poles, are often without either floors or chimneys. Within they are filthy and destitute of almost all the furniture most commonly used by civilized people; even chairs, beds, and tables are wanting. The earthen floor, without any addition, affords them convenient seats, and with the addition of a bullock's hide, it is made to answer the purpose of both