The Indian holds the lightest of the
three balls in his hand, and swings the two others in a wide circle above
his head; then taking his aim, at the distance of about fifteen or twenty
paces, he lets go the hand-ball; all the three balls whirl in a circle,
and twine round the object aimed at. The aim is usually taken at the
hind-legs of the animals, and, the cords twisted round them, they become
firmly bound. It requires great skill and long practice to throw the boas
dexterously, especially when on horseback. A novice in the art incurs the
risk of dangerously hurting either himself or his horse, by not giving
the balls the proper swing, or by letting go the hand-ball too soon.
(Tschudi's 'Peru.')
Lasso.--It is useless that I should enter into details about making and
wielding the lasso, for it is impossible to become Moderately adept in
its use, without months of instruction and practice.
Amstringing.--Animals are hamstrung by riding at them, armed with a sort
of spear; the blade of which is fixed at right angles to the shaft, and
has a cutting edge.
Hawking is a disappointing pursuit, owing to the frequent loss of hawks;
and can hardly be carried on except in a hawking country, where the
sportsman has a better chance than elsewhere, both of recovering and
replacing them; it is impracticable except where the land is open and
bare; and it is quite a science.
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