ent-skinned, withered crones we had seen in the town. They gave
us for supper _tortillas_, which are thin cakes made of corn, and eggs,
and fried beans, and some other things, to which we did justice. The
next morning our friends asked us if we would like to see a hunt.

"Of what?" we asked.

"Of a bear," was the answer. "One has been seen in the neighbourhood,
and his destruction is resolved on."

"Oh, by all means!" we exclaimed, wondering in what way the bear was to
be hunted. "Let us go."

After an early breakfast, we set out on horseback, accompanied by
several men on foot carrying long poles. Each of the young rancheroes
had a long coil of rope round his saddle-bow, to which one end was
fastened--at the other was a running loop. This I found was a lasso--a
weapon (for so it may be called) in their hands of very formidable
character. The appearance the young rancheroes presented on horseback
was very picturesque. Their saddle-cloths and saddles were richly
worked, and the head-gear of their horses was adorned with gay tassels.
Round their own heads, and necks, and waists, they wore bright-coloured
handkerchiefs. Their jackets and trousers were made very loose, and
adorned with a profusion of silver buttons; while on their heels they
wore huge silver spurs, with rowels as large as the palm of a man's
hand. Two other rancheroes joined us. They had seen the hear, and
found out his haunts. We reached a wild, rugged country, with a few
trees in the valleys, and numerous large rocks jutting out in the sides
of the hills.

"The rancheroes say that the bear's cave is not far off from here,"
observed one of our English friends. "We must be prepared for him.
Keep by us and do as we do." Scarcely had he spoken when a loud growl
or snort was heard, and not a hundred yards from us a huge, grisly,
brown monster rushed out from behind a rook, showing his teeth, and
standing upon his hind-legs as if ready to fight. I had never seen a
more ferocious-looking monster. While we were looking at him he went
down on his fore-paws, and with a loud growl made a rush at us.

"Put spurs to your horses, and gallop down the valley, or he will be
upon us!" exclaimed our friends. We were not slow to follow this
advice. I looked round--the bear was following us. Fast as we went,
unwieldy as the monster looked, he came as rapidly after us. I could
not help thinking if one of our horses fell, what would become of the
ride